bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INTAL Monthly Newsletter: No. 203: July, 2013
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

The INTAL Monthly Newsletter reports on developments in integration and trade across Latin American and the Caribbean. It also serves as a forum for discussing the IDB's activities related to these issues through news items, technical cooperation, and a wide array of projects and studies.
INTAL Monthly Newsletter: No. 192: August, 2012
Authors:   Institute for the Integration of Latin America and the Caribbean
Published: March 2024

The INTAL Monthly Newsletter reports on developments in integration and trade across Latin American and the Caribbean. It also serves as a forum for discussing the IDB¿s activities related to these issues through news items, technical cooperation, and a wide array of projects and studies.
INTAL Monthly Newsletter N° 224 - April 2015
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

The INTAL Monthly Newsletter reports on developments in integration and trade across Latin American and the Caribbean. It also serves as a forum for discussing the IDB's activities related to these issues through news items, technical cooperation, and a wide array of projects and studies.
INTAL Monthly Newsletter: No. 200: April, 2013
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

The INTAL Monthly Newsletter reports on developments in integration and trade across Latin American and the Caribbean. It also serves as a forum for discussing the IDB¿s activities related to these issues through news items, technical cooperation, and a wide array of projects and studies.
Integration & Trade Journal: Volume 14 : No. 31 : July-December, 2010
Authors: Jiménez Piernas Carlos , Granato María F. , Guardianelli Oscar , Blyde Juan S. , Barrantes Hidalgo Álvaro , De la Mora Luz María , Ferreira Edeon Vaz , Moncarz Pedro E. , Pineda Hoyos Saúl , Combes Pierre-Philippe , Sánchez Reaza Javier , Verdes-Montenegro Escánez Francisco J. , Thorpe Andy , Barbero José A. , Mesquita Moreira Mauricio , Sizeland Faye , Juárez Gerardo , Feistel Paulo R. , Sotelsek Daniel
Published: March 2024

The IDB's Integration & Trade Journal includes articles on the different aspects of integration in Latin America and the Caribbean, on hemispheric integration and, furthermore, on similar processes in other parts of the world. The aim is to address the topics included herein from a remarkably conceptual viewpoint, adding information to the knowledge of the topics, ensuring that they are useful for those responsible for adopting governmental policies in the region as well as for those integration scheme bodies in the fields of integration, cooperation and international trade. This issue contains the following articles: Some Empirical Results from Economic Geography and Their Regional Policy Implications: The European Experience; Trade, Proximity and Growth: The Impact of Economic Integration on Mexico's Regional Disparities; Internal Transport Infrastructure in Argentina and Its Impact on Provincial Exports; and, Freight Logistics in Latin America and the Caribbean: An Agenda to Improve Performance. This issue also contains selections from the Call for Papers: "Physical Integration for the International Insertion and Regional Connectivity of Latin America and the Caribbean," as well as interviews, statistical indicators, book and essay reviews.
Microenterprise Development Review: Volume 7 : No. 2 : December, 2004
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

The first article of this issue of Microenterprise Development Review discusses activity based costing (ABC) systems. Activity-based costing (ABC) inserts an additional, intermediate step in the traditional costing process by first assigning the costs (direct and indirect) to various activities, which are then allocated to the individual products and branches. The author argues that when properly designed, an ABC system can highlight a wide range of issues within a microfinance institution. The second article explores the alternative ways small and medium sized enterprises finance themselves in Latin America. This article includes case studies from across the region as well as recommendations.
Ideas for Development in the Americas (IDEA): Volume 20 : September-December, 2009: The Politics of the Budget Process
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

This issue of IDEA looks at the intensely political process that surrounds public budgeting in Latin America. It analyzes critical budget issues, recent legislation, the political actors involved and the consequences--sometimes unintended--of budget reform. It draws from Who Decides the Budget?, The State of State Reform in Latin America and other IDB research products that explore the mysteries of the budget process and recognize that a better understanding of that process provides important clues for understanding why some countries are able to develop and others are not.
Strategy for Promoting Citizen Participation in Bank Activities
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

This strategy (GN-2232-5) was favorably considered by the Bank's Board of Directors on May 19, 2004.
Implementing Freer Trade: The Canadian Experience 1986 - 1995
Authors: Hart Michael M.
Published: March 2024

Between 1986 and 1995, the government of Canada negotiated and implemented three major international trade agreements: the 1989 Canada-US Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA), the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the 1995 World Trade Organization Agreement (WTO). Individually, each marked a major venture; together, the three agreements constituted a revolution in Canadian trade policy making.
Latin American Youth in Transition: A Policy Paper on Youth Unemployment in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Fawcett Caroline S.
Published: March 2024

This policy analysis looks at the economic relationships between sectors, where formal and informal sectors are intimately linked in terms of youth and adult workers, where skilled workers and their shortages exist throughout all sectors of the economy, and where downsizing and technical change shed large numbers of unskilled labor to the informal sector. Youth unemployment in Latin American and the Caribbean lives in the shadows of the broader labor market demand and wage dynamics, whereby youth unemployment is simply a fractured reflection of larger labor market issues. Moreover, the impact of labor market policies and programs for youth is largely tied to broader labor market dynamics. This policy paper captures these youth dynamics, and their impact on the determinants and policies of youth unemployment. The school-to-work transition is the main point of departure and provides the context to understand the youth unemployment. Youth unemployment is not a transitory state to employment, rather it is a very lengthy process where youth move from unemployment, schooling, unpaid unemployment, and low-wage unskilled employment - all of which have low opportunity costs. Adding another dimension to this process, is that Latin American youth are often simultaneously in school and in work. The highly complex and multi-faceted transition process results in constant change for youth in Latin America.
Carbon Markets in Dynamic Perspective: The Optimal Duration Problem
Authors: Fernández Jorge , Miller Sebastián J.
Published: March 2024

The effectiveness of carbon markets in the reduction of emissions at minimal cost requires several conditions. In a dynamic context the inter-temporal dimension adds new conditions for the desirable performance of the market, and some tradeoffs. One tradeoff is related to the duration of permits. A long permit allows the private agent to optimize using a longer time horizon, but increases the risk associated with the initial allocation of the permits, for example the risk of generating market power. A short permit generates problems with the private agent's planning horizon but allows the planner to correct initial misallocations, in particular in new markets or those that face important uncertainty. These issues are important in the implementation of these systems, especially in developing countries such as the Latin American ones studied in this paper.
Strengthening the Capacities of Parliaments in the Budget Process
Authors: Santiso Carlos , Varea Marco
Published: March 2024

In the past decade, parliaments have shown increasing activism in the budget process by demanding more information about the government's performance in managing public resources. Nevertheless, in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), parliaments face important challenges, taking an effective part in the budget process and in fiscal policy management. Their capacity to influence budgetary matters and more generally fiscal policy and public financial management is hindered not only by the centralized nature of the budget process, but also by the lack of technical and institutional capacity of parliaments themselves to exercise their budgetary powers. This policy brief argues that the creation of parliamentary budget offices (PBOs) can help strengthen their effectiveness and accountability in budget processes. Several countries in the region have created or are considering creating this type of mechanism. These offices can help strengthen the parliament as a competent and constructive partner with the finance ministries and compensate for the legislature's limited technical capacity and credibility in budget matters through a series of effects, including reducing asymmetries in fiscal information; simplifying fiscal information and improving the quality of budget analysis; enabling a more constructive budget debate, and improving the alignment of incentives among government branches. This paper analyzes the conditions for creating and maintaining these offices, evaluates the effectiveness of such institutional changes, and weighs the lessons learned from recent experiences in various countries of the region. The conclusion is that parliaments can strengthen their impact on the budgeting process not necessarily by increasing their budgetary powers, but by improving their institutional capacity to exercise those powers more effectively and responsibly.
Survey and Assessment of Environmental Taxes in the Caribbean
Authors: Attzs Marlene , Maharaj Malini , Boodhan Gopiechand
Published: March 2024

Although the Caribbean region relies heavily on its natural assets as sources of income, generally for tourism and in particular cases from agriculture and energy, environmental taxes in the region have been little studied. This paper therefore is intended to reflect the existing economic instruments in place for capturing the use (and abuse) of the regions environmental and natural resource assets to reflect the degree to which adopted actions have been effective. Data paucity has been highlighted as a major obstacle in permitting rigorous assessment; the report therefore draws on the available literature and experiences for guidelines. This final report presents an inventory of economic instruments with an emphasis on assessing the environmental taxes in seven Caribbean countries that are members of the Inter-American Development Bank: Belize, Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
Banking on Global Sustainability: A Sustainable Downscaling Strategy in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Carrera-Marquis Daniela
Published: March 2024

Adequate financial markets are fundamental to sustainable development. Accurate capital allocation requires return on investment incorporates the social and environmental variables impacting, negatively or positively, such investment. Values-based capital allocation relies on sound corporate governance structures guiding the decision-making process towards sustainability objectives, not shortterm returns. One where the use of natural capital preserves the stock of capital, assuring that all generations live-off the income-flow. Concurrently financial markets, especially in emerging markets, should further engage in growth and redistribution models to create wealth for and inclusion of SMEs. Long-term financial sustainability is then aligned with environmental sustainability and social inclusion. Enhancing the potential of formal and informal SMEs requires strengthening credit channels. With the implementation of downscaling strategies, financial institutions (FIs) contribute to address existing levels of inequality while supporting the sustainable development path. At the same time FIs have the opportunity to impact the public policy dialogue regarding SMEs formalization. Formalized SMEs are in a better position to grow, to have higher labor and capital demand and productivity. For FIs this implies a market expansion. For society, higher productivity and more equitable growth contribute to a better income distribution and closing the inequality gap. Redefining the financial sector¿s role is relevant for all stakeholders. Is not a choice, is the ethical response. FIs have to acknowledge their impact on society and the environment carries greatresponsibility and that their legitimacy as agents of social change, depends on the realization that their role goes beyond the traditional financial intermediation.
CARICOM and Canada: Good Trading Partners?
Authors: Hosein Roger , Deonarine Amrita , Khadan Jeetendra
Published: March 2024

Despite seven rounds of negotiations since 2007, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Canada were unable to concur on the establishment of a free trade agreement (FTA) to replace the existing Caribbean Canada Trade Agreement (CARIBCAN). Instead, the CARIBCAN waiver has been extended until 2023. At this stage, it is unclear when or if both parties will return to negotiations under the extended CARIBCAN waiver. Despite this uncertainty, it is important to determine whether Canada is a good trading partner for the CARICOM region. To undertake this exercise, we examine issues relating to export competitiveness, comparative advantage, and trade complementarity for trade in goods and services between CARICOM countries and Canada. We also conduct an experiment which assumes that a FTA is formed between CARICOM and Canada in order to estimate the impact of tariff liberalization on trade, revenue, and welfare on CARICOM countries. Our results indicate an unfavorable outlook for CARICOM countries on welfare grounds as well as on improving exports from CARICOM countries to Canada.
De-Risking in the Barbados Context
Authors: Wright Allan , Kellman Bradley
Published: March 2024

De-risking has the potential to develop into a threat to Barbados posing a challenge to the country's continued development and economic stability if left unchecked. Early indications are that the de-risking phenomenon may have already begun to erode Barbados' competitive position as a leading IFC in the Caribbean region. Any sustained loss of IBC business for Barbados will undoubtedly lower government tax receipts, negatively impact employment, and could impact the level of FX availability in the domestic financial system.
Aprovechar acuerdos comerciales con innovación tecnológica: Una propuesta de agenda de políticas
Authors: Sagasti Francisco
Published: March 2024

El presente documento consiste en la propuesta de agenda para la implementación de las recomendaciones del Diálogo Regional de Política: Diálogo Subregional de Centroamérica, Panamá y República Dominicana, Red de Comercio e Integración, en base a la reunión realizada en San José, Costa Rica, el 4 de febrero del 2010. Se trató de una reunión subregional conjunta de las redes de Comercio e Integración y de Innovación, Ciencia y Tecnología auspiciadas por el BID, en la que participaron los países de Centroamérica, Panamá y República Dominicana. El objetivo de este evento fue iniciar un debate de ideas sobre la interacción entre innovación tecnológica, comercio internacional e inversión extranjera. Esta sección se limita a resumir los aspectos más salientes para el diseño de una agenda para la cooperación regional orientada hacia aprovechar las oportunidades que ofrecen los acuerdos comerciales mediante la innovación tecnológica.
La implementación de las disposiciones medioambientales en los tratados de libre comercio
Authors: Ávila Akerberg Andrés
Published: March 2024

El presente estudio tiene como objetivo analizar y comparar la experiencia de México, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador y Perú en la implementación de las provisiones ambientales de sus TLCs con Estados Unidos Para ello, el estudio se divide en cuatro secciones. En primer lugar, se describen los antecedentes de la implementación de los tratados. En segundo término, se presenta un análisis de las disposiciones ambientales establecidas en los TLCs estudiados. Posteriormente, se analizan las acciones de implementación en cada uno de los países como consecuencia de la entrada en vigor del tratado de libre comercio en cuestión. Finalmente se presenta un balance de la implementación que describe las experiencias en términos del fortalecimiento del Estado de Derecho y de la capacidad institucional ambiental; las mejores prácticas; la contribución de las provisiones ambientales al mejoramiento del clima de negocios y competitividad; los principales desafíos de la implementación y las recomendaciones derivadas de esta experiencia.
El presupuesto por resultados en América Latina: Condiciones para su implantación y desarrollo
Authors: Filc Gabriel , Scartascini Carlos
Published: March 2024

Dada la evidencia existente de que pueden existir beneficios tangibles en términos de sostenibilidad, eficiencia y efectividad del gasto público de una utilización más plena de los presupuestos por resultados ¿cómo puede explicarse el desarrollo dispar de este proceso en América Latina y el Caribe? Este documento analiza cuales son las condiciones que favorecen la implementación de los mismos (condiciones institucionales, motivación, capacidades, y apoyo legislativo), y provee de recomendaciones de política que aumenten la probabilidad de que los países avancen en la introducción de los presupuestos por resultados y en su utilización plena una vez que los sistemas se encuentren instalados.
Instrumentos fiscales y no fiscales a las energías renovables en Chile
Authors: Dufey Annie , Ceppi Pablo , Marzolf Natacha C.
Published: March 2024

Este informe de política evalúa los principales instrumentos (mecanismos de regulación e incentivos) destinados a promover las energías renovables en Chile y que se hicieron obligatorios para que el país pueda generar el 10% de su matriz energética a través de fuentes renovables no convencionales (ej. geotérmica, tecnología mareomotriz) para el año 2024. Además, proporciona recomendaciones al gobierno de Chile y a los actores clave para que aprovechen este potencial y propone dónde explorar y desarrollar estos recursos aún sin explotar, a través de un enfoque con bajo nivel de emisiones de carbono.
La política de las políticas públicas: Re-examinando la calidad de las políticas públicas y la capacidades del Estado en América Latina y el Caribe
Authors: Franco Maria , Scartascini Carlos
Published: March 2024

La mayoría de análisis de las políticas y documentos académicos tratan de cómo encontrar la combinación de políticas que puedan arrojar los mejores resultados para el desarrollo. Sin embargo, a largo plazo, lo que al parecer importa para explicar los resultados en el desarrollo son las características de las políticas públicas. Desafortunadamente, en América Latina y el Caribe se observa un retraso con respecto a otras regiones en cuanto a la calidad de las características de las políticas públicas. Las características de las políticas dependen de la calidad de las instituciones de gobierno, pero los países de América Latina y el Caribe han tenido resultados particularmente malos también en ese aspecto. Sin embargo, no todos los países tienen iguales resultados. Mientras unos pocos países se sitúan a la par con el mundo desarrollado, más de dos tercios de los países en América Latina y el Caribe tienen puntajes por debajo de la media. Este informe de políticas debería alentar a los investigadores a utilizar los datos, y podría ayudar a los responsables de las políticas a identificar qué instituciones pueden estar reduciendo la posibilidad de surgir y salir adelante. Algunas de las recomendaciones de las políticas pueden contribuir a cambiar los caminos actuales.
Un marco para estimar los costos incrementales del cambio climático en infraestructura
Authors: Díaz Manuel , Clerc Jacques
Published: March 2024

El objetivo general del estudio es revisar la literatura internacional y las mejores prácticas para desarrollar un marco metodológico capaz de cuantificar el aumento de las inversiones requeridas para un estándar tradicional de vida en un mundo sujeto a cambio climático. Posteriormente, esta metodología será aplicada en dos casos de estudio: Bolivia y Chile. En particular, el documento presenta una referencia a la economía de la adaptación al cambio climático y expone un resumen de los principales impactos del cambio climático en la infraestructura, según la literatura. Se describen los enfoques metodológicos para cuantificar el impacto del cambio climático en la infraestructura que ha sido seleccionada a partir de la revisión de la información presentada. A base de esto, se presentan los casos de análisis evaluados en el sector carreteras, tanto en Chile como en Bolivia, y el subsector embalses para regadío, evaluado en Chile. Por último, se lleva a cabo la discusión de resultados y se presentan las conclusiones finales.
Frame of Reference for Bank Action in Programs for Modernization of the State and Strengthening of Civil Society
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

This strategy (GN-1883-5) was formally considered by the Board of Executive Directors and the management of the IDB on March 18, 1996.
Análisis del proceso de implementación del capítulo ambiental del acuerdo de promoción comercial entre Estados Unidos y Perú: La situación peruana
Authors: Ruíz Muller Manuel
Published: March 2024

Este informe parte de los avances ya presentados en el documento "Implementación de acuerdos comerciales preferenciales en Latinoamérica: la experiencia peruana en su TLC con Estados Unidos de América" (Luis Alonso García, 2009). El análisis que se presenta en este documento está enfocado exclusivamente en la implementación y en el grado de avance del Capítulo sobre medio ambiente (Capítulo 18) y su Anexo Forestal. En ese sentido, el ámbito de la investigación se limita a los impactos, efectos, temas y otras consideraciones que surgen del proceso de implementación de este capítulo y anexo en particular. Se ha incluido también el análisis de la Carta de Entendimiento sobre Biodiversidad y Conocimientos Tradicionales que tiene relación directa en materia ambiental.
Development Challenges in Paraguay
Authors: Quijada José Alejandro
Published: March 2024

Description of Development Challenges in Paraguay.
Urban Heritage Conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Task for All Social Actors
Authors: Rojas Eduardo
Published: March 2024

Given the limited scope and sustainability of urban heritage conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean, changes in how it is carried out and funded are needed in order to involve all social actors and use the preserved assets to meet demonstrated social needs. Based on a multidimensional analysis of the assets¿ value and the social processes through which these values materialize, the paper, identifies measures for better matching the interests of and benefits obtained by those involved in the conservation process. It is suggested that the process will be more sustainable and capable of being expanded in a manner corresponding to the magnitude and value of the region¿s heritage if those who benefit from it are also those who promote and pay for it. Critical review of some of the projects funded by the Inter-American Development Bank, which may be considered ongoing experiments, inspires moderate optimism about the viability of the proposed changes.
Fiscal Policy Issues in Jamaica: Budgetary Institutions, the Tax System and Public Debt Management
Authors: Naranjo Fernando , Artana Daniel
Published: March 2024

This paper analyzes budgetary institutions, the tax system and public debt management in Jamaica. It explores the nature of budget institutions and design, beyond formal administrative or budgetary procedures, to address the question of whether the demanding fiscal path Jamaica is following can be put to risk by flaws in the institutional framework governing fiscal policies. The paper also analyzes the requirements for achieving revenues through a tax system that does not distort resource allocation and is complementary to the growth strategy. Finally, it addresses debt sustainability questions under different assumptions and look at debt management within a comprehensive fiscal policy assessment and at the path of public expenditures, primary surpluses and potential debt expansion.
A Health Diagnostic Tool for Public Development Banks
Authors: Smallridge Diana , De Olloqui Fernando
Published: March 2024

This study introduces a diagnostic tool for determining the health of a public development bank. It defines in normative terms what good health looks like across various dimensions, which allows the PDB to delineate how it can improve its overall performance and achieve its financial and developmental goals. Due to the variety of mandates and business models used by PDBs, there is no one definition of what constitutes perfect health for a PDB; nonetheless there are common parameters and features to their overall systems that can be compared against under a flexible and comprehensive framework. The three common parameters of performance identified in the Health Diagnostic Tool are public policy and corporate governance, development impact and financial and operational performance.
Andean Report No. 1 (2002)
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

In 2002, the Andean Community of Nations (CAN), comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, is developing definitions that may be central to its potentially active participation in the formation of a free trade area with the MERCOSUR countries, as well as in the formation of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
Cautious Resilience: The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on Latin American and Caribbean Microfinance Institutions
Authors: von Stauffenberg Sebastian , von Stauffenberg Damian , Beles Effio María , Brown Stephen
Published: March 2024

Funded by MIF, CAF and Calmeadow, this MicroRate report provides a snapshot of how the impact of the global financial crisis evolved during the last quarter of 2008. The study combines data and interviews from 52 microfinance institutions (MFIs) and 23 microfinance investment vehicles (MIVs). The report concludes that microfinance will be more affected by this economic cycle than in the past because MFIs are today more tightly integrated into the global economy. The report also includes a synopsis of potential roles for microfinance stakeholders and actions to be taken in 2009.
Collaborating with the Private Sector: A Case Study of an entra21 Project in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Villar Rodrigo
Published: March 2024

Collaborating with the Private Sector: A Case Study of an entra 21 project in Brazil, which presents the factors that enabled an NGO in Salvador, Brazil, the Instituto de ospitalidade, to successfully engage the private sector in its youth employment initiative. Engaging the business community in promoting youth employment is one of entra 21¿s core purposes and learning themes.
Energy Sector: An Environmental Performance Review
Authors: Gonzalez Diez Verónica M. , Lomeña Mónica
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Financial Services for the Poor: Household Survey Sources and Gaps in Borrowing and Saving
Authors: Westley Glenn D. , Tejerina Luis
Published: March 2024

This document measures access and use of financial services making use of information from household surveys in Latin America and the Caribbean
Financing Sustainable Energy through Remittance Flows in Haiti and the Dominican Republic
Authors: Felix Katleen , Magallon Daniel , Sánchez María Deni , Armacost Nicola , López de Llergo Guadalupe
Published: March 2024

The goal of this market research was to determine the feasibility of promoting the use of remittances as a means to purchase clean energy. The project was designed to test the attractiveness to immigrants in more developed countries (the United States) of linking their remittance flows to the purchase of clean energy technologies in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Globalization and the Need for Fiscal Reform in Developing Countries
Authors: Tanzi Vito
Published: March 2024

Globalization is not a new phenomenon. However, the current form is qualitatively different from past experiences. It provides great opportunities for some countries and challenges to others. A first part of the paper identifies positive and negative effects associated with globalization. The paper then discusses reforms that countries need to undertake to better cope with this phenomenon. These reforms must reduce or eliminate obstacles of a physical, institutional, or policy nature, if they are to integrate the countries successfully in the world economy. The paper discusses next the role that fiscal policy must play. It concludes that developing countries will experience pressures to increase their public spending and thus their tax burdens. On the other hand, industrial countries will be faced with downward pressures on their tax levels and thus with the need to reduce public spending. The paper concludes with a brief description of some fiscal reforms.
Improving the Quality of Data and Impact-Evaluation Studies in Developing Countries
Authors: Weinreb Alex , Stecklov Guy
Published: March 2024

While the science of program evaluation has come a tremendous distance in thepast couple of decades, measurement error remains a serious concern and its implications are often poorly understood by both data collectors and data analysts. The primary aim here is to offer a type of "back-to-basics" approach to minimizing error in developing country settings, particularly in relation to impactevaluation studies. Overall, the report calls for a two-stage approach to dealing with mismeasurement. In the first stage, researchers should attempt to minimize mismeasurement during data collection, but also incorporate elements into the study that allow them to estimate its overall dimensions and effects on analysis with more confidence. Econometric fixes for mismeasurement¿whose purview is limited to a smaller subset of errors¿then serve as a secondary line of defense. Such a complementary strategy can help to ensure that decisions are made based on the most accurate empirical evaluations.
Investing in Large Scale Financial Inclusion: The Case of Colombia
Authors: Tejerina Luis , Maldonado Jorge Higinio
Published: March 2024

Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programs have become in many countries the largest social program and the framework upon which a social protection network is being built. These programs have more than 24 million beneficiaries in the Latin America and the Caribbean region and have been subject to many types of evaluations showing them to be an effective means of increasing demand for health and education services. This study analyzes Familias en Accion, the national CCT program in Colombia.
Jamaica: Trade, Integration and the Quest for Growth
Authors: Vignoles Christopher , Jessen Anneke
Published: March 2024

Jamaica is a small, open island economy with one of the highest trade/GDP ratios in the Western Hemisphere. Because trade plays such a dominant role in the Jamaican economy, it also substantially determines the country¿s development prospects. Successful participation in the global economy through enhanced international competitiveness, trade facilitation and related measures should therefore be a central aim of the Inter-American Development Bank¿s support strategy for Jamaica, particularly at a time when the country is facing the rapid erosion of trade preferences long enjoyed by its exporters in major world markets.
Microfinance: Lessons Learned in Latin America
Authors: Miller-Sanabria Tomas C.
Published: March 2024

The relative success of microfinance in rural credit programs in Latin America is the result of a decentralized development approach stressing a large microenterprise sector, stable and permanent institutions, an appropriate regulatory framework, and a stable economy as essential prerequisites
Evaluation of ProFund
Authors: Cuadra Mercedes , DiLeo Paul
Published: March 2024

This report discusses ProFund's accomplishments and performance by examining its original business plan relative to its performance, the composition of its portfolio, and its primary role with respect to its investors and investees. This report begins with a summary of conclusions and a discussion of ProFund¿s main accomplishments and the lessons that can be drawn from it. The body of the report is then organized in two main sections. The first section articulates and assesses ProFund¿s approach and performance to date by looking at (1) its original business plan relative to performance; (2) the composition of its portfolio and the performance of its portfolio companies relative to peers; (3) the primary functions and roles ProFund has played with respect to its investors and investees.
Lessons from Innovation: Quality Management Standards
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

Quality management systems offer companies a practical approach to organizing their productive processes to ensure ongoing adherence to these standards, as well as fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Search and Innovate: A Way towards Technology Change in Small Countries
Authors: Uquillas Jorge , Sáenz-Arce Pedro
Published: March 2024

This document argues for greater emphasis on technological search activities in smaller, poorer economies such as those of Central America. This argument is based on simple economic expediencies derived from cost, benefit and timing.
The FTAA: Some Longer Term Issues
Authors: Garay Luis Jorge , Estevadeordal Antoni , Devlin Robert
Published: March 2024

The Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) process was launched during the Miami Summit of Heads of State in December 1994. It was the centerpiece of a broader hemispheric initiative of political and socio-economic cooperation among 34 countries of the Americas with the objective to negotiate a hemispheric free trade agreement by the year 2005. The preparatory phase began in January 1995 and formal negotiations were launched in April 1998. The creation of an FTAA would clearly be the most important chapter in the history of regional cooperation in the Western Hemisphere and mark a fitting culmination to a fast maturing trade policy framework in Latin America and the Caribbean. The FTAA process is the result of progressive globalization of the world economy and a profound transformation in the region based on: (i) structural economic reforms in almost all the countries directed at stimulating market activity and a better articulation with the world economy; (ii) the emergence, or strengthening, of democratic regimes almost everywhere and (iii) political commitments to foster peace and cooperation among neighbors with a history of rivalry and conflict. Regional integration has been a fundamental complementary tool for achieving these ambitious national objectives, which permeate the entire region. Latin America and the Caribbean have a long tradition of interest in regional integration. An intense amount of activity in this area emerged out of the Post-War period. However, the initiatives in the first three decades following the War inserted themselves in the prevailing state-led import substitution strategy of the time, itself to a large extent a product of "market skepticism" derived from the Great Depression. In the 1990s, however, a "new" regionalism emerged in Latin America and the Caribbean that conformed to the new national strategies for economic and political transformation and preparation for globalization.
Transboundary Waters Management: Acta of the 3rd Symposium on Transboundary Waters Management (2006)
Authors: González Javier ,   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

The UNESCO International Hydrological Programme (IHP), established in 1975, is the only global scientific intergovernmental programme of the UN system devoted to water resources, emphasizing the formulation of policy-relevant strategies for its sustainable management. IHP is an evolving programme, continuously adapting to the needs of a changing society, particularly in developing countries.
Worker Remittances, Transnationalism and Development
Authors: Orozco Manuel
Published: March 2024

Study on the Latin American transnational migration patterns and their relationship with development.
Worker Remittances: The Human Face of Globalization
Authors: Orozco Manuel
Published: March 2024

This report is a comparative study of worldwide transfer costs to nine countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and specifically at costs for immigrants to send money from major sending countries including from the United States. It also compares these international trends with costs and trends of sending money to Latin America.
Recommendations and Best Practices on Taxation of SMEs in Latin America
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

This presentation explores the economic, institutional and technological contexts in which micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are called upon to operate and the fiscal treatment issues public authorities should take into account. It also focuses on the basic features of the tax systems imposed on their operations. Further on, it explains concrete strategies aimed at facilitating SMEs' compliance with their tax obligations since their very start-up. Special emphasis is placed on simplifying formalities and procedures and, in the major taxation principles arena, on the need to advocate for the principles of general application of taxes and simplicity.
Program for Improving Central Bank Reporting and Procedures on Remittances: Barbados
Authors:   Center for Latin American Monetary Studies,   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

The importance of international remittance flows to Latin American and Caribbean economies has increased substantially, both in terms of macroeconomic stability given the magnitude of these capital inflows, and of economic development in view of their impact on financial inclusion and poverty alleviation. The present Report, International Remittances in Barbados, is one of the descriptive documents in the series, and was prepared with the active participation of the Central Bank of Barbados. This report is based on the findings of a mission that visited Barbados in November 2009, comprising two teams that worked jointly. This document describes the remittance market in Barbados, including: the economic context, the institutional and legal framework of this market; characteristics of the issuers, of the recipients and providers of remittances, the means and channels of payment; costs of remittance, disclosure, transparency and consumer protection, as well as the methodology for the measurement of these flows.
The Cost of Poverty Alleviation Transfer Programs: A Comparative Analysis of Three Programs in Latin America
Authors: Caldés Natalia , Maluccio John A. , Coady David
Published: March 2024

A common criticism of antipoverty programs is that the high share of administrative (nontransfer) costs substantially reduces their effectiveness. Yet there is surprisingly little rigorous empirical evidence on program costs. This study proposes and implements a replicable methodology for a comparative cost analysis of three similar poverty alleviation programs in Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua, and assesses their cost efficiency. The findings underscore that any credible assessment of cost-efficiency requires a detailed analysis of program cost structures that goes well beyond simply providing aggregate cost information.
Towards a Strategy for Economic Growth in Uruguay
Authors: Hausmann Ricardo , Rodríguez-Clare Andrés , Rodrik Dani
Published: March 2024

The Uruguayan economy is recovering from the 2002 financial crisis that disrupted its banking system, caused a collapse of its currency and seriously affected its fiscal solvency. The crisis was clearly associated with the collapse of the Argentine economy and its concomitant currency, banking and debt crises. Both were also related to the sudden stop that followed the Russian crisis of 1998, which prompted an important realignment of the real in January 1999, a fact that had exerted enormous pressure on bilateral exchange rates within Mercosur. In this post-crisis period, Uruguay now faces several challenges to attain a sustainable growth path. This report proposes a series of recommendations towards this end. Implementing a strategy to accelerate growth inevitably involves interventions at both the macro and the micro level. The macro level involves the maintenance of a stable and competitive real exchange rate, so as to create a stable and encouraging environment for export growth. The authors take up each of these elements of the growth strategy. They first focus on the design of incentive policies for economic diversification and promotion. Then they discuss next the macroeconomic complements, with special emphasis on maintaining a competitive and stable real exchange rate.
Reducing Poverty and Inequality in Brazil
Authors: Herrán Carlos Alberto
Published: March 2024

This paper hopes to contribute to the understanding of the determinants of poverty and inequality in Brazil, identify some of the main challenges and spell out policy implications for reducing poverty and inequality over the short term (next three or four years) and medium term (next decade or two). The analysis presented here hopes to contribute to this discussion by: i) providing a description of the key features of the evolution of Brazil¿s poverty and inequality over the last two decades based on the latest available data; ii) using analytical tools to distinguish between the main features of poverty and inequality (the symptoms) and their probable determinants (the causes); and iii) identifying some of the key policies to address those determinants and thus contribute to the permanent reduction in Brazil¿s poverty and inequality .
Should Public Budgets Finance Convention Centers?
Authors: Darling Arthur H. , Beato Paulina
Published: March 2024

The Bank is receiving an increasing number of requests from state and municipal governments to finance publicly owned convention centers. This paper suggests that few of these projects will bring the benefits expected and may impose fiscal burdens on states and municipalities that will make it more difficult to undertake other priority projects.
Openness and the International Allocation of Foreign Direct Investment
Authors: Agosin Manuel R. , Machado Roberto
Published: March 2024

Liberalizing measures have been outnumbering by far the introduction of greater restrictions. However, the reports are silent on how liberal the policy regimes of individual countries really are and how they have been changing over time. This paper tackles this issue. The authors propose an ordinal index of the degree of openness of foreign direct investment (FDI) regimes, which they measure for 111 countries, both developed, developing, and in transition. They show the evolution of the index between 1990, 1996, and 2002 in three developing regions (Africa, Asia and Latin America), in transition economies, and in developed countries. The paper also includes a presentation of the result of a simple econometric exercise that attempts to explain the variation across countries and time periods of FDI inflows in 1990, 1996, and 2002 using five explanatory variables. Finally the authors explore the factors that explain the probability that a country will resort to restrictions on FDI.
The Education Sector in the Dominican Republic: Overachievements and Underperformance
Authors: Ripani Laura , Regalia Ferdinando , Álvarez Carola
Published: March 2024

This study analyzes the challenges the Dominican Republic faces to increase educational levels, particularly of the poor, making the case that, in the regional context, the Dominican Republic educational system is simultaneously an overachiever in education enrollment and an underperformer in attainments. Where things fall apart is in turning this attendance record into years of schooling, a very rough firstpass measure of skills. The main reason for divergent performance (high enrollment but very low attainment) is high repetition rates. The Dominican Republic's main challenge is to understand and address the causes of repetition and weak progression. This will most likely require a host of interventions to improve equity of access to good-quality education both in rural and urban marginal areas and to ease supply bottlenecks in the second cycle of primary education in rural areas and in secondary education in both urban and rural areas. This will require a sustainable increase in both the level and efficiency of public expenditures on primary and, even more, on secondary education.
Impact Evaluation of the Job Training Component (PROCAJOVEN) of the Assistance Program for the Building of a Training and Employment System in Panama (PN0125)
Authors: Rosas-Shady David , Ibarrarán Pablo
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this report is to assess whether the job training program PROCAJOVEN has had positive impacts, i.e. to determine if it has increased the employability of its participants, and to determine whether the program has a positive payoff. The main objective of PROCAJOVEN is to "improve prospects for jobless youths and disadvantaged groups" in Panama. To achieve this goal the program has two modalities. The first modality, called insertion modality, provides short-term training for the low-income unemployed youths 18-29 years old. The second modality, called transition modality, focuses in the transition for the first-time job seekers with complete secondary education. The program has a significant effect on employment rates and labor earnings for women especially for those living in Panama City. Within modalities, the general effects are similar.
Crises and the Poor: Socially Responsible Macroeconomics
Authors: Lustig Nora
Published: March 2024

This paper presents evidence on the impact of economic crisis on poverty and inequality in Latin America. Crises not only result in higher poverty rates but also may cause irreversible damage to the human capital of the poor. In light of this evidence, the author concludes that crisis avoidance and a pro-poor response to crisis should be a major component of a poverty reduction strategy. As a result, the paper analyses the role of exchange rate policy, capital controls and countercyclical fiscal policy in generating or avoiding crisis. Responses to macroeconomic crisis are assessed by considering the effects of different policy combinations, the use of safety nets and the composition of fiscal adjustment to protect the income of the poor in the face of macroeconomic adjustment. The main lesson is that socially responsible macroeconomic policy can protect the poor during times of crisis and simultaneously contribute to lower chronic poverty.
One-to-One Laptop Programs in Latin America and the Caribbean: Panorama and Perspectives
Authors: Severin Eugenio , Capota Christine
Published: March 2024

The introduction of technology in education is gaining momentum worldwide. One model of incorporating technology into education that has gained tremendous traction in Latin America and the Caribbean is One-to-One computing. The term "One-to-One" refers to the ratio of digital devices per child so that each child is provided with a digital device, most often a laptop, to facilitate learning. The objective of this document is to provide an overview of One-to-One implementations with a regional focus on Latin America and the Caribbean. It also proposes a systemic approach to improve the quality of education in contexts of mass laptop distributions to students and teachers.