Bank-funded private water projects across the world are facing serious problems due to financial, socio-political and operational concerns, but recent trends show that more such projects are coming up in the name of innovative approaches.
Private Sector
Private Sector
News
Bank's procurement rules "rigid"
The UK House of Commons International Development Committee (IDC) has expressed concerns that “when bidding for infrastructure projects, local contractors often do not stand a chance against international bidders, partly due to rigid rules used by multilateral development banks (MDBs) such as the European Union (EU) and the World Bank. ”
Environment
Background
CSO Roundtable with Lars Thunel
Notes of a meeting, Washington DC, 21 September 2011
Finance
News
Industrial policy: World Bank turning the corner?
Over the past year, World Bank chief economist Justin Lin has tried to reopen debate at the Bank over whether developing country governments should adopt active industrial policies, previously taboo at the institution.
Private Sector
Analysis
Out of sight, out of mind?
The World Bank Group's International Finance Corporation (IFC) lending has grown enormously over the past decade, with commitments reaching a record $18 billion in the 2010 financial year. At the same time, there has been a significant shift in the way the IFC does business. Increasingly, instead of managing its loans and investments itself, it relies on financial intermediaries such as banks and private investment funds. In the 2010 financial year, finance sector lending made up over half of al
Private Sector
Background
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)
The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), which forms a part of the World Bank Group, promotes foreign direct investment (FDI) in its 175 member countries.
IFI governance
Background
The International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
The International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), part of the World Bank Group, is an arbitration forum between governments and foreign investors to settle investment disputes. Two thirds of international investment disputes go through ICSID.
Environment
News
ICSID in crisis
The International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) is facing an explosion of cases and increasingly vocal criticism from Latin American countries. Questions remain over whether it helps channel productive investment to developing countries or serves as a tool for multinational corporations to get their way.
Private Sector
Commentary
IFC keeping up with the kids
Not content to just launch its heavily-criticised Doing Business on second life, the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation launched a group on popular social networking site Facebook in 2008.
Finance
News
Letter to the Prime Minister urging him to radically rewrite global financial rules
This letter was sent to Gordon Brown, prior to the 15 November summit, by a UK coalition of 24 of the most influential trade unions, development charities, environmental groups and religious leaders. It urges on him to put people and the environment at the heart of the international economic system and push key economic and institutional reforms.
