bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regional Aspects of Brazil's Trade Policy
Authors: Perobelli Fernando S. , Domínguez Edson P.
Published: March 2024

This paper aims to evaluate a number of spatial aspects of Brazils current trade policy, emphasizing those relating to economic integration in general, and bilateral trade with Argentina in particular. A national computable general equilibrium model was developed and implemented (EFES-ARG), in order to evaluate the sectoral impact of different trade integration strategies with specific economic countries/blocs. Moreover, EFES-ARG was integrated with an interstate trade model such that the national results obtained were regionalized. The analysis of the short-run regional aspects of Brazilian trade policy reveals a trend towards concentration of the level of economic activity in the states of the Brazilian south and southeast. The results draw attention to a phenomenon that has permeated the debate on the regional issue, namely the role of trade as an engine of growth.
Ten Years of Innovation in Remittances: Lessons Learned and Models for the Future: Independent Review of the Multilateral Investment Fund Remittance Portfolio
Authors: Hall Joan
Published: March 2024

This document is a review of the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF)¿s remittance program since 2000, when it began. The review focuses primarily on the portfolio of remittance projects undertaken by the MIF from 2001 to 2009, and secondarily on the MIF¿s research and dissemination activities during that same time period. The review took place between May and September 2009.
The Miseducation of Latin American Girls: Poor Schooling Makes Pregnancy a Rational Choice
Authors: Binstock Georgina , Näslund-Hadley Emma
Published: March 2024

Our interest in understanding the determinants of adolescent childbearing and how adolescent childbearing influences educational trajectories derive from a concern about the inverse relationship between educational outcomes and adolescent fertility. Through in-depth interviews with 118 women, we contrast the educational trajectories of adolescent and adult childbearers in urban neighborhoods in Paraguay and Peru. The findings suggest that adolescents who face obstacles that discourage academic achievement and high aspirations in life are also more likely to bear children.
The Productivity of Science: An International Analysis Using Peer-Reviewed Publication Data
Authors: Smith Ellen
Published: March 2024

This report focuses on the determinants of the first type of research output: new knowledge. There are no direct measures of this type of research output, but several proxies have been typically used. The two most important ones that we will apply during the study are (a) publications and (b) citations. The source of these two variables is the Reuters-Thomson ISI(R) National Science Indicators (2008) database on published papers and citations.
Worker Remittances in an International Scope
Authors: Orozco Manuel
Published: March 2024

Analysis of a poll of nine of the major remittance recipient countries in order to understand the market of remittances, the major trends in money transfers and the macro-economic effects on their economies. It will review industry and market behavior in money transfers, pricing, as well as other comparative indicators in the following countries: Egypt (England/Saudi A.), Portugal (Europe), Greece (U.S./W.E.), Philippines (U.S.), Zimbabwe/Mozambique (South Africa.), Turkey (Germany), Pakistan, and India (US).
South-South Remittances: Importance of the Costa Rica-Nicaragua Corridor
Authors: Céspedes-Torres Oswald , Vargas-Aguilar Juan Carlos , Monge-González Ricardo
Published: March 2024

Report commissioned by MIF and produced by consultant Ricardo Monge-González: First Study on Remittance senders and recipients from Costa Rica to Nicaragua. It includes size of remittances and economic assesment on the impact on the Economy and poverty reduction of Nicaragua .
Revitalizing Agriculture in Suriname
Authors: Boye Greta , Ramautarsing Winston
Published: March 2024

Suriname faces unprecedented challenges in transforming its agricultural sector to a market based system, and it will need to offset the deterioration of the sector resulting from the probable loss of its preferential markets in the next decade. This study seeks to contribute to the understanding of the measures that are necessary to address the constraints on agricultural growth and development. The analysis builds on discussions that took place in May 1996 with government officials, representatives of private sector organizations and international agencies. Based on field work and subsequent analyses, this report offers recommendations on actions needed to sustain and enhance the growth of Surinam¿s existing export products, promote the emergence of promising new products, and strengthen institutions that support both of those activities. The study includes a general introduction and background information on the contribution of agriculture to the economy and the performance of agriculture, the main constraints on the growth and development of the sector, key factors affecting competitiveness, Government¿s plans for development in the area and, finally a strategy for revitalizing the agricultural sector in Suriname. The rationale for revitalizing the agricultural sector is to increase national income ad to foster the economic and social development of Suriname. Since agriculture is a sector of vital importance to the Surinamese economy, it provides a good vehicle for achieving this aim.
Growth in Uruguay: Factor Accumulation or Productivity Gains?
Authors: De Brun Julio
Published: March 2024

This paper is part of the project "Explaining Economic Growth Performance" launched by the Global Development Network (GDN). The purpose of this project is to explain economic growth performances across seven regions. During the last five decades the Uruguayan economy faced volatile macroeconomic conditions. Economic policies swung from highly controlled capital flows, exchange rates, and interest rates to the introduction of significant financial liberalization. This study will show that the upturn in economic growth since liberalization is due to improved resource allocation that, in turn, promoted an increase in human capital accumulation. No significant changes are observed in the pattern of physical capital accumulation or the evolution of Total Factor Productivity (TFP). The analysis begins with an overview of recent economic policy in Uruguay, summarizing the characteristics of each period. A growth accounting exercise is then conducted to begin weighing which factors are crucial to understanding the country's pattern of growth. This exercise will show, as previously stated, that TFP played a minimal role. This evidence is complemented by analysis of a time series of key variables, which permits us to address the empirical regularities that must be explained to understand economic growth in Uruguay.
The Political Economy of the Budgetary Process in Uruguay
Authors: Moraes Juan Andrés , Chasquetti Daniel , Bergara Mario
Published: March 2024

This paper explores the extent to which Uruguayan institutions (as interbranch relations, electoral rules, budgetary rules, etc.) and political actors (parties, factions, interest groups and bureaucrats) involved in the budgetary process affect the fiscal performance of governments in terms of sustainability, efficiency and representativeness. Since the early nineties and the beginning of the structural adjustment and the economic reforms of the Washington Consensus, Uruguay has been strongly committed to implement a restrictive fiscal policy. However, unlike most Latin American countries, Uruguay has been able to sustain a relatively large public sector and particularly the largest welfare state in the region. To a large extent, this particular combination is the result of a Uruguay's particular democracy where the budget law has become the most important piece of legislation for all incumbent governments and relevant political actors. The paper includes a description of the broad policy making process and the set of actors and institutions characterizing the Uruguayan political system; a description of the budgetary policy making process; a set of hypotheses dealing with the level of Sustainability, Efficiency and Representativeness of the fiscal policy.
Belize: Poverty and Economic Sector Performance
Authors: Devoto Florencia
Published: March 2024

This study was part of the analytic work carried out in preparation for the Bank's Strategy with Belize in 2004. The objective of this document is to examine the relationship between economic performance and poverty. In order to do so, it explores the determinants of changes in poverty during the 90s, and particularly how this relationship holds for those sectors that led economic growth. More specifically, it looks at the relationship between the sector in which vulnerable people work and the economic sectors that led either the recovery or the slow down of the economy, after controlling for other relevant demographic and socioeconomic factors. The main conclusions of the paper are that given the poverty characteristics and market conditions of the country, poverty alleviation policies need to address both issues, reducing vulnerability to external shocks and augmenting the assets of the extremely poor.
Fiscal Adjustment for Sustainable Growth in Belize
Authors: Jenkins Glenn P. , Kuo Chun-Yan
Published: March 2024

This review of the fiscal adjustment in Belize focuses on the revenue requirement of the Government in the short term as well as the tax reform measures that are needed in order to meet the longer term revenue requirements of the public sector. The study examines the country's tax design, its administration and its effectiveness in revenue mobilization. The authors make a number of suggestions that would serve to fine tune the tax system and make it more robust as an instrument of revenue collection and also to reduce some of the economic distortions that now exist. In carrying out the revenue estimates below, we initially assume that there is no behavioral response to the change in the tax rates. Once a complete set of revenue estimates is developed, they introduce the effect of the behavioral responses to relative price changes in our development of a second set of revenue projections.
The Political Economy of the Budget Process: The Case of Venezuela
Authors: Ríos Germán , Daza Abelardo , Puente José Manuel , Rodríguez Alesia
Published: March 2024

This study seeks to provide an analysis based on positive and empirical approaches to the budget-making process in Venezuela from 1974 to 2004 in order to understand budget expenditure decisions and to analyze the actors and forces which affect the outcome. It will tackle the following tasks: Analyze the main actors (formal and informal) involved in the budget-making process and explain how they shape this process. Three different actors will be analyzed: the Executive, the Congress, and the different economic and political interest groups that influence budget allocations in the Executive-Legislative process. Also presents econometric evidence about the main political and economic determinants of fiscal performance, discuss whether different political and institutional arrangements governing the budget process affect incentives for the composition of the budget, and how this occurs.
Labor Market Institutions in the Caribbean
Authors: Cortázar René
Published: March 2024

The objectives of improving competitiveness and reducing unemployment, in particular among the young and women, are a part of the economic and the political agenda of most Caribbean countries. Labor market institutions play a crucial role. This study analyzes six types of institutions: (i) labor legislation, related to collective bargaining and termination of contracts; (ii) minimum wages (iii) vocational training; (iv) industrial relations; (v) social dialogue, and (vi) the role of the Ministry of Labor, and proposes policies that could contribute to employment and competitiveness. The report adopts a political economy approach and puts forward a characterization of reforms in terms of their potential impact and viability. It concludes that the Caribbean countries have many assets and also some liabilities.
Fear of Crime: Does Trust and Community Participation Matter?
Authors: Luengas Pavel , Ruprah Inder J.
Published: March 2024

This paper examines the association between trust and community involvement with fear of crime. Fear of crime is measured by three typical perception measures: neighbourhood security; walking alone in the dark; and the risk of becoming a victim. The data is from Chile's Victimisation Survey. The techniques used are a multinomial regression and an impact -propensity score single difference- calculation. We find that while trust matters participation generally does not for fear. However, regressions leave open the direction of causality. An impact calculation confirms that participation in a neighbourhood crime prevention program does not affect the fear of crime. Thus the evidence challenges the general idea that involvement in one's community and the specific idea of community participation in neighbourhood crime prevention programs reduce fear and increase feelings of safety.
Summary Report: Evaluation of the Policy-Based Loan Portfolio: Phase III
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this document (RE-239) is to analyze the way in which the Bank has been supporting sector reform policies in various countries in recent years. It is based on a sample based on the principal evaluation results from 14 sector loans that were approved between 1990 and 1995, in eight member countries of the Bank. Drawing on elements both of theory and of empirical evidence, the document establishes a set of features that are necessary for achieving sustained growth of the kind that will contribute to reducing poverty. The sector operation evaluations analyzed here focus on the impact of sector lending in supporting policies and institutions in those areas where major efforts are being made to consolidate stabilization and improve growth prospects, and thereby to reduce poverty.
A Primer on Risk Management: Applications to Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Wright Jesse
Published: March 2024

Bank involvement with derivative activities--both for risk management and as a line of business--is considerable, and supervisory authorities are paying heightened attention to securities markets. This paper discusses the components of risk management in terms of legal, operational, credit and market risks, and identifies best practices in risk management. Finally, it suggests areas in which the Inter-American Development Bank may assist official regulators and the private sector to create the legal and institutional infrastructure for these markets and to instill best practices.
Community Colleges: Is There a Lesson in Them for Latin America?
Authors: Verdisco Aimee , Bernasconi Andrés , Castro Claudio de Moura
Published: March 2024

As secondary education in Latin America and the Caribbean expands its reach and more attention is given to the post-secondary level, new demands are placed on educators and ministries. New methods of teaching will have to be found, new markets for graduates will have to be identified, and better targeting mechanisms for matching students with the market's real demand for labor will have to be defined and implemented. In short, the very definition of secondary and post-secondary education will have to be reexamined. It is in this regard that the community college model prevalent in the United States and Canada merits closer examination. Several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have experience introducing short post-secondary courses and nonuniversity institutions, sometimes as a result of private initiative, sometimes as a matter of public policy. Europe and North American models have inspired these innovations. Yet, this paper contends that more needs to be done in this area, in all countries and it explores in depth the model of the community college as an interesting source of ideas and relevant responses to changes in the social and economic landscape of the region. It also explores the potential the community college model holds for Latin America. The author's hope is that countries and institutions will look at this model not as something that should be necessarily imitated, but for inspiration and as an opportunity to reflect on the relevance and effectiveness of the current supply of post-secondary education and training.
An Approach to the Economic Analysis of Solid Waste Disposal Alternatives
Authors: Malarín Hector R. , Vaughan William J.
Published: March 2024

In this best practice paper a mixed integer optimization approach to the selection of sanitary landfill site sizes and locations in a regional context is explained and illustrated using stylized cost and location information adapted from a real case study. After reviewing the basics of the heuristic approach to solid waste disposal site selection, the optimization model is laid out and solved in the case study context, initially in terms of financial costs. In a subsequent section, a way of incorporating the relative environmental damages of alternative locations into the model is suggested, and the example is re-solved with environmental costs included to show how they can influence the identification of the best set of sites. Suggestions about model refinements appear in a concluding section.
Uncertainty in the Economic Appraisal of Water Quality Improvement Investments: The Case for Project Risk Analysis
Authors: Darling Arthur H. , Rodríguez Diego J. , Vaughan William J.
Published: March 2024

This technical paper argues that Monte Carlo risk analysis offers a more comprehensive and informative way to look at project risk ex-ante than the traditional (and often arbitrary), one-influence-at-atime sensitivity analysis approach customarily used in IDB analyses of economic feasibility. The case for probabilistic risk analysis is made using data from a project for cleaning up the Tietê river in São Paulo, Brazil. A number of ways to handle uncertainty about benefits are proposed, and their implications for the project acceptance decision and the consequent degree of presumed project risk are explained and illustrated.
Impact Evaluation of a Program of Public Funding of Private Innovation Activities: An Econometric Study of FONTAR in Argentina
Authors: Rossi Martín , Reynoso Ana María , López Andrés
Published: March 2024

This report contains an evaluation of the Argentinean Technological Fund (FONTAR), whose main objective is to fund projects presented by private firms which aim at improving their competitive performance through technological innovation activities. The main goal of this evaluation is to analyze the impact of FONTAR's programs on the innovation activities of granted firms. The authors also try to ascertain whether FONTAR contributed to improve supported firms' innovative outputs and productive performance. The evaluation is undertaken for all FONTAR's programs and separately for the Non-Reimbursable Funds (ANR) program. In order to carry out the evaluation, the authors have taken advantage of a series of econometric techniques that allow them to identify the impact of having received a credit or grant from the FONTAR on relevant outputs, distinguishing this impact from other factors that could also be affecting firms' performance.
Climate Change and the Caribbean: Areas of Intervention: Financing for the Caribbean Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Unit (ECC), Infrastructure and Environment Department (INE)
Authors: Alleng Gerard
Published: March 2024

This presentation discusses the cost of impacts of climate change on the Caribbean. The response of adaptation will need to be applied towards an integral strategy to build on disaster risk reduction best practices and climate risk management. The response of the IDB to the climate change needs of member countries will need to include the use of financial instruments, the development of knowledge products, and the mainstreaming of climate change into the operations of the Bank.
South-South Cooperation and Capacity Development in Action: Regional Public Entrepreneurship in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Lamas Jorge , Bocalandro Laura , Persaud Tara Lisa , Cruz Fano Alejandro , Villa Rafael
Published: March 2024

This collection of five case studies examines Latin American and the Caribbean experiences in regional cooperation and institutional capacity development across various sectors, including public debt management, watershed management, public health, citizen security and social security systems.
Lessons in Microfinance Downscaling: The Case of Banco de la Empresa, S.A.
Authors: Wenner Mark D. , Campos Sergio
Published: March 2024

Few commercial banks have engaged in profitable microfinance lending despite repeated attempts by donor agencies to entice their entry. The case of Banco de la Empresa, a Latin American private bank, illustrates how penetration of the microenterprise market segment could evolve. This paper reviews the bank's experience with microfinance, what its motivations were for starting such a program, what adjustments it made in operating procedures and what risks the program faced. The study is based on a real experience of the Inter-American Development Bank but in order to preserve the confidentiality of the institution studied, names, dates and other non-critical data were changed.
A Tale of Four Village Banking Programs: Best Practices in Latin America
Authors: Westley Glenn D.
Published: March 2024

This paper examines each major element of the village banking technology and how it has been liberalized so far, particularly in four leading Latin American village banking institutions: FINCA Nicaragua, Pro Mujer Bolivia, Compartamos (in Mexico), and CRECER (in Bolivia). It then analyzes how this liberalization process may be usefully carried forward in the future and makes numerous best practice and policy recommendations to achieve this. Much of the study is devoted to deriving and discussing best practice and policy recommendations.
Promoting Productive Integration in Latin America and the Caribbean: Suggestions for Project Preparation
Authors: Dini Marco , Guaipatín Carlos , Rivas Gonzalo
Published: March 2024

This paper reviews, analyzes, and documents the current IDB experience in "productive integration" logic, in order to generate a pool of useful knowledge that will contribute to improving the design and implementation of future projects. This logic is based on the assumption that, by cooperating with each other and with public and private institutions, enterprises can develop competitive advantages that would be impossible to achieve in isolation. In addition, central, regional and local governments, working in partnership with the private sector, can better focus their policies and their resources, thus increasing both the cost-effectiveness and the impact of their efforts.
Guidelines for Monitoring and Evaluating Projects of the Social Entrepreneurship Program
Authors: Westley Glenn D.
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this document is to define and discuss a minimum set of core project monitoring and evaluation indicators that should be collected in all or nearly all projects approved under the IDB's Social Entrepreneurship Program (SEP). The document is aimed at those IDB and counterpart institution personnel involved in designing, monitoring, or evaluating SEP projects. The document describes two sets of proposed project monitoring and evaluation indicators: one set to be used for projects or project components in the microfinance area and the other set to be used for projects or project components in the non-financial services area.
The Missing Foundations of Housing Finance: Incomplete Markets, Fragmented Policies and Emerging Solutions in Guatemala
Authors: Bonilla María Isabel , Lée Sigfrido , Cuevas Mario
Published: March 2024

In Guatemala there are substantial and growing imbalances in the housing market; at the same time, financial markets remain shallow and underdeveloped. The analytical framework applied in this paper starts by identifying the types of market failures responsible for the underdevelopment of the housing finance system. The working hypothesis is that there is a correlation between the nature and scope of market failures, and the kind of public interventions actually implemented. Evidence collected points to a rejection of the policy adequacy hypothesis. Nevertheless, it is encouraging that solutions have begun to emerge as economic agents learn to overcome market failures; these experiences are reinterpreted as "natural experiments" showing what could happen if market failures could be fixed at a large scale through appropriate government policy. Building on this framework, the paper proposes guidelines for the design and implementation of housing finance policy in Guatemala.
Evaluation of the IDB's Studies
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

This document (RE-323) presents the evaluation carried out by OVE to assess the Bank's efforts in the production, storage, dissemination, and utilization of studies. This is consistent with Management view, that in 2002, informed the Board that "To optimize the use of our scarce resources, [The Bank] consider[s] it important that the nature, scope, and cost of these activities be fully understood and that they be subjected to the same standards of review, quality control, and evaluation as other Bank activities."
How is Violence Measured?
Authors: Buvinic Mayra , Morrison Andrew
Published: March 2024

This document is the one of a series of technical notes that describe the nature and magnitude of violence in the region, its causes and effects, and how it can be prevented and controlled. The notes provide useful information on designing programs and policies to prevent and deal with violence. This note focuses on defining the extent of violence as a first basic step toward fully comprehending the phenomenon. Although homicide is not the only indicator of violence, the homicide rate is the measure that is used most often to determine overall levels of violence in a city or country. This is because homicide constitutes the most serious and publicly visible of all violent acts and is usually reported more accurately in statistics on violent crime.
Domestic Violence against Women
Authors: Biehl María Loreto
Published: March 2024

This document is one of a series of technical notes that describe the nature and magnitude of violence in the region, its causes and effects, and how it can be prevented and controlled. The notes provide useful information on designing programs and policies to prevent and deal with violence. This note focuses on domestic violence against women. The author states that governments and international organizations have recently started to look for ways to reduce the incidence of this type of violence and it is now apparent that a coordinated effort must be made in order to provide an effective and comprehensive response to families affected by domestic violence. The technical note discusses what domestic violence is, the magnitude of the problem, the risk factors associated with domestic violence, and ways of prevention and control.
Forest Vocation Lands and Forest Policy: When Simpler is Better
Authors: Nascimento José Rente
Published: March 2024

This paper addresses forest policies concerned with the adequate provision of forest related externalities. Despite the use of the forest vocation land (FVL) in the legislation of many Latin American countries, the discussion in the scientific literature about forest policies based on it is modest. This paper seeks to contribute to this debate. The paper presents facts, defines concepts, examines analytical frameworks, and investigates policy alternatives related to these externalities in private lands. The paper concludes that FVL is a useful model for the design of forest policies that seek to assure the provision of forest related externalities. Such policies are: especially adequate for developing countries because they are relatively easy to understand; are less intrusive in the forest business decision making processes and, thereby, allow for greater freedom of action; are less costly to monitor, enforce, and comply with; reduce corruptive activities and illegality associated with forests; and do not require adjustments as technologies and market conditions change.
Poverty Reduction and Economic Growth: A Two-Way Causality
Authors: Lustig Nora , Rigolini Jamele , Arias Omar
Published: March 2024

More than a third of the population of Latin America and the Caribbean currently live in poverty. Will the region be able to simultaneously increase economic growth and reduce poverty given its scarce fiscal resources? The message of this paper is that the public policies needed to achieve these two goals do not have to be incompatible, but can complement each other. This report shows the importance of economic growth to achieve poverty reduction. It also shows that in countries with relatively more inequality economic growth is less effective in reducing poverty. The report argues that certain specific actions to reduce poverty can create a virtuous cycle by increasing economic growth in a way that reinforces the reduction in poverty and inequality and benefits the population at large while, in turn, promoting higher growth.
The Political Economy of Reform in Brazil's Civil Servant Pension Scheme
Authors: Medici André
Published: March 2024

This technical note discusses the civil servant pension system in Brazil over the past two decades. Since 1998 the Brazilian government has been implementing reforms to increase the financial sustainability of its pension schemes - seeking to contain pension deficits without hurting acquired rights. Reforms to the civil servant pension system are expected to cut the public deficit by more than 1.0 percent of GDP. These savings imply that while the civil servant system will continue to carry a sizable deficit over the medium term, it should decline over the long term. This note analyzes Brazil's pension systems, focusing on the scheme for civil servants - including the need for and implications of the recent reforms.
Competitiveness and Growth in Brazil
Authors: Blyde Juan S. , Pinheiro Armando Castelar , Fernández-Arias Eduardo , Daude Christian
Published: March 2024

In the first eight decades of the 20th century, Brazil ranked among the countries with highest growth rates in the world. During the period 1930-80, in particular, it managed to reduce its per capita income gap vis-à-vis industrialized economies and seemed poised to escape underdevelopment early in this century. However, this dream never materialized; Brazil's growth performance deteriorated sharply over the following quarter century, never fully recovering from the second oil shock and the foreign debt crisis. In this period Brazil experienced much lower and more volatile growth, with its long-term annual growth rate (ten-year moving average) fluctuating in the 2% to 3% range, well below the 6% to 10% range that prevailed in 1950-80. Brazil reacted by embarking on reforms, from trade liberalization to changes in fiscal and social policies. Policies improved, especially after price stabilization, in 1994, and, if anything, have been better than through most the high growth period, but apparently to no avail. Something happened in this later period that prevented Brazil from regaining the rapid growth that it had exhibited previously. What might it have been?
Social Cohesion and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean: Analysis, Action, and Coordination
Authors: Mateo-Berganza Díaz María Mercedes , Ferroni Marco , Payne J. Mark
Published: March 2024

The present document seeks to set forth the IDB's commitment to the objectives contained in the Declaration of Guadalajara and the parallel Memorandum of Understanding, a commitment that has taken shape in Bank programs and lending, as well as in a growing number of coordination efforts and analytical contributions. Despite progress thus far made, a long road lies ahead if more cohesive societies are to be achieved. Challenges in the operational arena include moving from good design to good execution, the need to improve and expand evaluation, and the building and further consolidation of country institutional capacity. We hope that this document, with its proposal on how to define and measure social cohesion and its discussion of Bank activity and the situation in Latin America and the Caribbean, will help to ensure that such opportunities result in concrete achievements for the region.
Drinking Water, Sanitation, and the Millennium Development Goals in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Ducci Jorge , Soulier Faure Martin
Published: March 2024

On the occasion of the recent publication of the WHO-UNICEF report entitled "Progress on Sanitation and Drinking Water: 2010 Update", describing the progress made toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) using data from 2008, this article has been prepared to provide an analysis of the progress observed in Latin America and the Caribbean. It also offers new estimates of the investment needed to achieve the MDGs by the target date of 2015.
Managing labor issues in infrastructure projects
Authors: Michaelsen Sofie F. , Montgomery Robert , Hoagland-Grey Hilary , Maggio Gregory F.
Published: March 2024

In order to assist project companies in understanding and complying with labor requirements, the PRI ESU has developed the present guideline with three main objectives first, to educate and inform project companies, financiers and other relevant parties about the labor rights conditions that for private sector investment projects; second, to provide a reference manual for those staff who conduct due diligence and supervision or monitoring reviews of labor aspects in projects; and third, to help companies and their projects conform to and go beyond legal conditions.
The Significance of Legal Identity in Situations of Poverty and Social Exclusion: The Link between Gender, Ethnicity, and Legal Identity
Authors: Harbitz Mia Elisabeth , Tamargo María del Carmen
Published: March 2024

Failure to register births and lack of legal identity are considered to have a direct effect on possibilities and opportunities for full participation in social, political, and economic life. In order to understand the characteristics, numbers, and location of the economically, culturally, and socially vulnerable groups that are excluded from access to legal identity, studies were carried out in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Guatemala. The study does not claim to be exhaustive; rather it is meant to be a constructive contribution to the search for practical solutions that will help countries achieve universal, reliable, integrated, and secure legal identity for all of their citizens.
Explaining European Patterns of Taxation: From the Introduction of the Euro to the Euro-Crisis
Authors: Hallerberg Mark
Published: March 2024

This paper reviews developments in Europe from the eve of the introduction of the euro through the euro crisis. The paper begins with a discussion of the tax reform agenda. Although there are differences in the literature on specific taxes, and while European countries vary in their preferred levels of taxation, there is general consensus on the shape reforms should take. The paper then discusses the evolution of tax systems with the overall agenda in mind. It is found that overall revenue levels were broadly stable until just before the crisis, but marginal rates in corporate and top personal income declined almost continuously. During the crisis, however, this trend ended, with countries in the greatest fiscal difficulties raising tax rates and tax burdens. The last section provides a short analysis of why there were reforms in some countries but not others. Key variables include tax competition among member states, partisanship, underlying preferences in the population for redistribution, and the number of partisan veto players.
Community Health and Safety: Recommendations and Tools
Authors: Barron Tania
Published: March 2024

To date, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has considered the impact of its projects on community health and safety on an ad hoc basis. Although the IDB's 2006 Environmental and Safeguards Compliance Policy (OP-703) requires that project teams consider health and safety issues in the context of managing project impacts and risks, no specific guidance currently exists on how to do this. This Community Health and Safety Guidance Note is designed to fill that gap by providing project teams and borrowers with advice on how to systematically identify, prevent, and/or mitigate potential impacts and risks related to community health and safety within the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process. The Note is intended to help Bank staff, consultants, and borrowers determine if key community health and safety issues have been appropriately addressed for each project. It also includes operational tools to help identify and manage some of the common community health and safety concerns that arise in infrastructure projects.
Evaluatie Van Waterpompsystemen: Rekenblad
Authors: Rosas Ramón , Pedraza Arturo
Published: March 2024

Als onderdeel van de technische samenwerking "Energiebesparing voor de Caraïbische Drinkwater en Afvalwaterbedrijven" heeft het "Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Initative (SECCI)" van de IDB een regionale methodologie ontwikkeld om de energie-efficiency en het onderhoud van drinkwaterbedrijven in de Latijns-Amerikaanse en Caraïbische landen te verbeteren. Deze methodologie, ontwikkeld door de consultancybureaus Econoler International en Alliance to Save Energy, richt zich in hoofdzaak op het electromechanische rendement van pompsystemen in het Caraïbische gebied. Dit spreadsheet is ingevuld met voorbeeldgegevens die moeten worden vervangen door de specifieke informatie van het pompsysteem dat de gebruiker wil analyseren.
Managing the Environmental and Social Impacts of a Major IDB-Financed Road Improvement Project: The Case of the Santa Cruz - Puerto Suárez Highway in Bolivia
Authors: Redwood John
Published: March 2024

The Environment and Safeguards Group (ESG) of the IDB has examined how potential environmental and social risks of major Bank-supported road improvement investments in natural resource rich and socio-culturally diverse "frontier" regions have been identified and addressed in various parts of South and Central America. The present paper presents the findings and recommendations for selected ongoing and/or completed IDB-financed road and road-related projects in Bolivia. To the extent possible, the experience and lessons learned from all major parts of the project cycle -- design/preparation, up-front environmental assessment, implementation/supervision, and monitoring and evaluation - are considered, as are the analysis and management of direct, indirect and cumulative environmental and social impacts.
Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events in Latin America: An Exposure Index
Authors: Garlati Adrian
Published: March 2024

Climate change is changing the frequency and intensity of Extreme Weather Events (EWEs), particularly in poor developing countries, and the international community is increasingly suggesting the design of adaptation funds to resolve this situation. Measures of vulnerability and exposure to EWEs are a critical instrument in guaranteeing a transparent, efficient and equitable allocation process in these funds. Latin American countries, which contribute little to climate change but are hard-hit by EWEs, urgently need new indicators to back up their claims for financial and technical assistance. Using DesInventar data, the paper develops an innovative Disaster Exposure Index (DEI) that encompasses many disasters' impacts. DEI calculations indicate an unexpected scenario where some regions usually considered resilient are found to be exposed. The results call for further development of regional indicators to facilitate the international, national and sub- national allocation of adaptation funds.
The Political Economy of Civil Service Reform In Brazil: The Cardoso Years
Authors: Heredia Blanca , Gaetani Francisco
Published: March 2024

This document analyses the political economy of civil service reform in Brazil during the two Cardoso administrations. Its main purpose is to provide a detailed empirical account of the politics of the reform's implementation. Its broader objective is to advance in the comparative identification of the key political factors and conditions behind the initiation, sustainability as well as actual results of the latest generation of civil service reforms in the region. Last version available.
An Organization Readness Toolkit: Assessing the Impact of New Technologies in Latin American and Caribbean Countries
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

The objective of this project is to contribute to the understanding of how technological changes influence public sector reforms, particularly, the theme of Civil Service and Technological Changes. This will be a step toward comparing, at the Latin American and Caribbean regional level, the different challenges facing State Governments in their efforts to ensure effectiveness in their civil service.
Executive Profile of Environmental Management: Caribbean Sub-region
Authors: Tyler Seth D.
Published: March 2024

This documents was prepared for the Inter-American Development Bank Regional Policy Dialogue. It analyzes the Caribbean sub-region integrated by The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. This profile provides an overview of environmental management priorities, achievements, and challenges in the Caribbean. It also provides some recommendations for sub-regional initiatives that could be pursued through the Dialogue. Throughout this paper, environmental management issues are divided into three categories: natural resources management, urban environmental management, and environment and competitiveness. This final draft is the latest version available.
Improving Credit Risk Analysis with Psychometrics in Peru
Authors: Klinger Bailey , Khwaja Asim , LaMonte Joseph
Published: March 2024

Access to finance remains a challenge for some micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Peru, particularly informal enterprises with no borrowing history in the formal financial system. Lenders lack the tools to reach these borrowers with sufficient scale and control over risk due in part to the shortcomings of current screening technologies. For this paper, the authors carried out a pilot test of an innovative psychometric tool aimed at evaluating credit risk for business owners seeking a loan from Financiera Confianza, the fourth largest Empresa Financiera in Peru. Applicant responses were compared to self-reported sales, subsequent loan repayment performance, and credit bureau data to determine if psychometric-based credit scoring models could reduce the constraints on MSME finance. The authors created a scorecard based on that information using data from other countries and evaluated its effectiveness on this sample. It achieved a Gini coefficient of between 20 and 40 percent. Those MSMEs rejected by a psychometrically enhanced application scorecard with this Gini coefficient have a probability of defaulting that is up to four times greater than those accepted by the scorecard. Along with other policies to reduce information asymmetry in MSME lending, such a tool could help relieve constraints on MSME finance in Peru.
Services Regulation in the Caribbean: Professional Services
Authors: Brown Kathy-Ann
Published: March 2024

CARIFORUM States have generally taken a cautious approach in adopting commitments under the Economic Partnership Agreement by having them reflect their World Trade Organization commitments, excluding sensitive subsectors, and inscribing broad horizontal reservations. This report assesses the regulatory framework for trade and investment in five areas - horizontal measures, information and communications technologies, transport services, professional services, and tourism services in Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago under the CARIFORUM - European Union Economic Partnership Agreement. The analysis concludes that of the five areas reviewed, adjustments are recommended principally to legislation covering information and communications technologies, professional services, and transport services.
Who Decides on Public Expenditures?: A Political Economy Analysis of the Budget Process: The Case of Argentina
Authors: Braun Miguel , Abuelafia Emmanuel , Berensztein Sergio , Di Gresia Luciano
Published: March 2024

The budget process is increasingly considered key for reform efforts to improve fiscal outcomes. The authors embark on a political economy analysis of the budget process in Argentina, in the spirit of the IDB project "Political Institutions, Policymaking Processes and Policy Outcomes" in order to understand who determines budget outcomes in Argentina. The paper seeks to characterize the institutional framework that regulates the budget preparation, approval, implementation and control. Furthermore, it identifies which actors are involved both formally and informally in the process at each stage, and seeks to understand their incentives and interactions. The findings include the fact that the President has a de facto role that is much more powerful than what the laws and institutions of the budget process stipulate. However, the rigidity of the budget process, together with other constraints such as macroeconomic shocks, fiscal rules, agreements with International Financial Institutions and the influence of other actors such as governors, legislators and lobbies, have limited the ability of the Executive to substantially modify the budget process. The paper includes the analytical framework, and a discussion of some relevant literature on the Argentine budget process; an outline of the political and economic environment in which the budget process has evolved, and an outline of the formal rules of the budget process. Finally, an analysis of the actual workings of the budget process, and how the workings of the budget process are related to fiscal policy outcomes.
Economic Integration, Growth, and Poverty
Authors: Sala-i-Martin Xavier
Published: March 2024

A paper commissioned by the IDB sees trade openness to generate economic growth and help reduce poverty. The study, written by aColumbia University economics professor Xavier Sala-i-Martin, takes a close look at the impact of regional trade agreements, finding benefits to outweigh the potential short-run increases in inequality. Buoyant as it is about the benefits of free trade, the paper includes warnings for policymakers.
Partnerships for Progress?: Evaluating the Environment for Public-Private Partnerships in Latin America and the Caribbean: Findings and methodology
Authors:   Economist Intelligence Unit
Published: March 2024

This paper describes a new benchmarking model and index that assesses the readiness of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to participate in public-private partnerships in the infrastructure sector. The model was built by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and was supported financially by the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) and the Program to Promote Public-Private Partnerships in Latin America and the Caribbean funded by the government of Spain.
Labor Market Performance in Belize
Authors: Lindauer David L.
Published: March 2024

The Technical Note provides an overview of labor market outcomes in Belize and a review of labor market institutions and regulations. The study considers various perspectives on Belize's market and concludes that prevailing labor market regulations, institutions and labor supply do not appear as binding constraints on achieving more rapid economic growth. Nevertheless, labor market regulations, institutions and labor supply can be improved upon, especially laws and regulations that are no longer appropriate for 21st century circumstances.