World Bank: 627 books

This toolkit provides a framework, guidelines, and practical tools for conducting an analysis of a country's trade competitiveness in terms of growth and share performance, diversification, and quality. It aims to facilitate the identification of the main constraints to improved trade competitiveness and the policy responses to overcome these constraints.

Best practices in post-disaster housing and community reconstruction are constantly evolving. Technology is changing how reconstruction is done, as is the frequency and severity of the disasters themselves. Reconstruction projects are increasingly focused on the need to reduce future risks by ensuring...

Since the 1950s when countries became concerned that specialization in primary products would lead to steady falls in the purchasing power of primary exports and slow growth, diversifying out of primary products into manufactures has been a major policy objective of developing countries. Indeed, since...

This study outlines the difficulties poor communities face in accessing peri-urban land in South Africa that could have implications and lessons for similar communities in other countries facing spatialsegregation issues. The study focused on one community, composed largely of laid-off farm workers that...

This book examines how light manufacturing can offer a viable solution for Sub-Saharan Africa's need for structural transformation and productive job creation, given its potential competitiveness based on low wage costs and an abundance of natural resources that supply raw materials needed for industries....

This paper describes the characteristics of public investment management (PIM) in seven EU countries as it applies to a single sector transport infrastructure. The report highlights some of the common challenges that four relatively new EU member states Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Latvia face as...

This study analyzes the impacts of the financial crisis on power sectors in five countries in the region: Armenia Kyrgyz Republic Romania Serbia and Ukraine. Before the financial crisis these countries faced expected power shortages as a result of large investment gaps. With the financial crisis GDP...

The welfare implications of safe water and sanitation cannot be overstated. The economic gains from provision of improved services to millions of unserved Africans in enormous. The international adoption of Millennium Development Goals brought the inadequacies of service provision sharply into focus....

This study represents the most comprehensive review of fiscal federalism in the Russian Federation, presenting a strong case for greater decentralization. Given its vast size, immense diversity - including economic, geographic, cultural, ethnic, and historical differences across regions - Russia is a...

For the past two decades, experiments in decentralization and federalization have been developing in Africa, Asia, and the formerly communist states of Eastern Europe. Many of the powers previously in the hands of the central government or its deconcentrated structures have been transferred to lower...

Bioenergy has been critical to humanity since the cave dwellers first used wood to cook their food and stay warm at night. Ancient forms of bioenergy ¿ firewood and cow dung patties ¿ remain primary fuel sources for rural and poor people. New sources of bioenergy including ¿black liquor¿, biodiesel,...

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in a business situation can have a significant effect on the financial results and position of a division or an entire business enterprise. International Financial Reporting Standards: A Practical Guide gives private or public sector executives, managers,...

Now in its sixth edition and with previous editions translated into 15 languages this publication gives readers a broad and basic understanding of the key issues for each International Financial Reporting Standard. It summarizes each standard providing a quick reference for managers and executives in...

The paper compares the EU and US securities regulations, and specifically MiFID with the corresponding US regulations. It primarily focuses on the regulatory and supervisory framework, trading venues, and the provision of investment services.The paper argues that the architecture and some of the rules...