Chile | World Bank

Status of projects in execution (SOPE) - FY09 : Latin America and the Caribbean region - Chile

The Status of Projects in Execution (SOPE) report for FY09 provides information on all International Bank and Rural Development (IBRD)/International Development Association (IDA) projects that were active on June 30, 2009. The report is intended to bridge the gap in information available to the public between the project appraisal document, disclosed after the Bank approves a project, and the implementation completion report, disclosed after the project closes. In addition to the project progress description, the FY09 SOPE report contains project level comparisons of disbursement estimates and actual disbursements, and a table showing the loan/credit/grant amount and disbursements to date for all active projects.

Chile - Social Protection Technical Assistance Project : additional financing

This project paper concerns to provide additional financing to the Republic of Chile for the scaling-up of the Social Protection Technical Assistance Project. The additional financing will help finance the costs associated with the scale-up of the project's impact and development effectiveness. The additional activities to be financed are related to the further strengthening of the system of social protection in Chile through: (1) the continued operation and improvements in Chile Solidario, designed to support extremely poor families and other vulnerable individuals (including to date older adults living alone, the homeless, and children of prisoners); and (2) the recent extension of the system to cover young children through Chile Crece Contigo (integrated system of protection for young children).

Evaluating SME support Programs in Chile using panel firm data

This paper evaluates small and medium enterprise (SME) support programs in Chile using a firm-level panel for the 1992-2006 period on two groups of firms a treatment group that participated in SME programs and a control group that did not. These unique panel data provide an unprecedented opportunity to address several issues that have plagued impact evaluations of SME programs selectivity bias from observed and unobserved firm heterogeneity, identification of an appropriate control group, and inability to track firms over a long enough period of time for performance outcomes to be realized. Using difference-in-differences models combined with propensity score matching methods, the paper finds evidence that participation in SME programs in Chile is associated with improvements in intermediate outcomes (training, adoption of new technology and organizational practices), and causally with positive and statistically significant impacts on sales, production, labor productivity, wages and exports. The mixed results of previous studies may be attributable in part to the confounding effects of unobserved heterogeneity motivating selection into programs of firms with relatively low productivity levels, and in part to time-effects of program participation occurring in years after the time horizon of most impact evaluation studies.

Chile - Santiago Urban Transport Technical Assistance Project : restructuring

This project paper introduces changes in the Chile, Santiago Urban Transport Technical Assistance Project and makes corresponding amendments to the project's legal documents. The changes are needed in order to better align Bank assistance with the operational and financial challenges of the new public transport system in Santiago. The expected outcomes from the restructured project will mainly consist of improvements in the quality and/or efficiency of public transport in Santiago as well as to Transantiago's financial/fare management system. The project development objective as stated in the loan agreement, namely to 'support the Borrower in achieving an efficient and sustainable urban transport system for Metropolitan Santiago', will be on track to be achieved.

The long and the short of emerging market debt

Emerging economies have tried to promote long-term debt because it reduces maturity mismatches and the probability of crises. This paper uses unique evidence from the leading case of Chile to study to what extent there is domestic demand for long-term instruments. The authors analyze monthly asset-level portfolios of Chilean institutional investors (mutual funds, pension funds, and insurance companies) and compare their maturity structure to that of US bond mutual funds. Despite being thought to invest long term, Chilean asset-management institutions (mutual and pension funds) hold large amounts of short-term assets relative to US mutual funds and Chilean insurance companies. Short-termism is not driven by lack of instrument availability or tactical behavior. Instead, it seems to be explained by the desire to minimize inflation risk and, more importantly, by manager incentives that tilt demand toward short-term instruments. Extending the maturity of emerging market debt may require reducing risk and reshaping investor incentives.

Chile - Santiago Urban Transport Programmatic Development Policy Loan Project

Ratings for the Santiago Urban Transport Programmatic Development Policy Loan Project for Chile were as follows: outcomes were moderately satisfactory, the risk to development outcome was moderate, the Bank performance was moderately satisfactory, and the Borrower performance was also moderately satisfactory. Some lessons learned included: lack of a holistic approach may result in emphasizing one concern over another, for example, focusing mainly on environmental and economic considerations may lead to a design with unnecessarily fewer and larger buses. However, fewer and larger buses reduce comfort and increase waiting times. Such a decrease in service quality is a disincentive for public transport use and will, at least in the long run, go against environmental and economic considerations. Hence, it is important that a design that includes user participation finds the right balance between environmental and economic considerations and service quality. Travel and network models are excellent tools to evaluate network designs, but over reliance on normative analytical tools that 'optimize' a network subject to a set of assumptions, especially in areas that assume behavioral changes, should be avoided. The modeling exercise also needs to include 'bottom up' inputs, such as information on the importance in terms of overall weight people give to transfers, waiting, and walking. The Santiago experience showed that it is not advisable to redesign the public transport network without considering the existing information on travel demand and destination available through the operators. Additionally, stakeholders' involvement in the network design process, especially the municipalities comprising the metropolitan area, operators and users, is essential, and the design concept for the network needs to be extensively modeled before implementation.

Chile - Social Protection Technical Assistance Project : additional financing

Chile - Santiago Urban Transport Technical Assistance Project

Chile - Institutional Strengthening of the Ministry of Public Works Development Policy Loan Project

Ratings for the Institutional Strengthening of the Ministry of Public Works (MOPW) Development Policy Loan Project for Chile were as follows: outcomes were satisfactory, the risk to development outcome was moderate, the Bank performance was satisfactory, and the Borrower performance was also satisfactory. Some lessons learned included: the reform objectives were defined by the MOPW in close and extensive consultations with stakeholders internal and external to the MOPW. The World Bank has supported this participative approach and has encouraged the continuous monitoring and evaluation of the reform's analytical underpinnings. At the implementation stage, the MOPW leadership has strengthened the initiatives aimed at guaranteeing the continuous support of stakeholders. To this end, the change management component turned out to be critical to expand support for the reform. MOPW leadership also decided to increase training, capacity building, and technical support activities to facilitate the implementation of the reform. In addition, the project components, supported by the MOPW human resources department, have established ad-hoc committees, which serve as platforms for consulting with the MOPW unions. The Bank team highlighted during supervision missions the need to involve non-managerial personnel within the MOPW in Santiago and in the regions to increase understanding of the objectives pursued by the reform and to increase overall support. More stability of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) coordinator office will enhance the synergies between the project components and leverage the policy dialogue with the Bank. This dialogue has been fruitful on climate change issues and can further be extended to other issues such as Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), renewable energy concessions, and energy efficiency. The stability of the PIU office will also improve the effectiveness of the change management component that is anchored in the PIU. It will as well enhance the procurement pipeline flow.

A structural model of establishment and industry evolution : evidence from Chile

Many recent models have been developed to fit the basic facts on establishment and industry evolution. While these models yield a simple interpretation of the basic features of the data, they are too stylized to confront the micro-level data in a more formal quantitative analysis. In this paper, the author develops a model in which establishments grow by innovating new products. By introducing heterogeneity to a stylized industry evolution model, the analysis succeeds in explaining several features of the data, such as the thick right tail of the size distribution and the relations between age, size, and the hazard rate of exit, which had eluded existing models. In the model, heterogeneity in producer behavior arises through a combination of exogenous efficiency differences and accumulated innovations resulting from past endogenous research and development investments. Integrating these forces allows the model to perform well quantitatively in fitting data on Chilean manufacturers. The counterfactual experiments show how producers respond to research and development subsidies and more competitive market environments.

Doing business 2010 : Chile - comparing regulation in 183 economies

Doing Business 2010 is the seventh in a series of annual reports investigating regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it. Doing Business presents quantitative indicators on business regulations and the protection of property rights that can be compared across 183 economies, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, over time. This paper presents the summary Doing Business indicators for Chile. The paper includes the following headings: introduction and aggregate rankings, starting a business, dealing with construction permits, employing workers, registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts, closing a business, and Doing Business 2010 reform.

Chile - Social Protection Technical Assistance Project : additional financing

Pension funds and capital market development

This paper studies the relation between institutional investors and capital market development by analyzing unique data on monthly asset-level portfolio allocations of Chilean pension funds between 1995 and 2005. The results depict pension funds as large and important institutional investors that tend to hold a large amount of bank deposits, government paper, and short-term assets; buy and hold assets in their portfolios without actively trading them; hold similar portfolios at the asset-class level; simultaneously buy and sell similar assets; and follow momentum strategies when trading. Although pension funds may have contributed to the development of certain primary markets, these patterns do not seem fully consistent with the initial expectations that pension funds would be a dynamic force driving the overall development of capital markets. The results do not appear to be explained by regulatory restrictions. Instead, asset illiquidity and manger incentives might be behind the patterns illustrated in this paper.

Chile - Social Protection Technical Assistance Project : additional financing

Status of projects in execution (SOPE) - FY08 : Latin America and Caribbean region - Chile

The Status of Projects in Execution (SOPE) report for FY08 provides information on all International Bank and Rural Development (IBRD)/International Development Association (IDA) projects that were active on June 30, 2008. The report is intended to bridge the gap in information available to the public between the project appraisal document, disclosed after the Bank approves a project, and the implementation completion report, disclosed after the project closes. In addition to the project progress description, the FY08 SOPE report contains project level comparisons of disbursement estimates and actual disbursements, and a table showing the loan/credit/grant amount and disbursements to date for all active projects.

Reducing emissions and helping balance environmental flows with support from the Prototype Carbon Fund : Chile's Chacabuquito Small Hydropower Project

Hydropower is a renewable low carbon source of electricity and an important component in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy production. The Prototype Carbon Fund (PCF) established by the World Bank in 1999 funds projects including hydropower projects that produce high quality greenhouse gas emission reductions that can be registered with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for the Kyoto protocol and its clean development mechanism. Emission reductions are calculated by offsetting grid electricity, which in most countries is generated by thermal fossil fuel-fired plants, and replacing it with a zero-emission source of power. To increase the likelihood that the reductions will be recognized by the parties of the UNFCCC, independent experts provide baseline validation and verification procedures for emission reductions. The Chacabuquito Small Hydropower Project made history as the first PCF project to become operational in 2002. The Chacabuquito Project, currently under implementation, is a run of the river hydropower project. Run of the river projects differ from conventional hydropower projects in that they require no water storage and are less likely to alter environmental flows. Run of river projects can be developed on appropriate sites with little, if any, negative impact on either aquatic or terrestrial habitat.

Doing business 2009 : country profile for Chile - comparing regulation in 181 economies

Doing Business 2009 is the sixth in a series of annual reports investigating regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it. Doing Business presents quantitative indicators on business regulations and the protection of property rights that can be compared across 181 economies, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, over time. This paper presents the summary Doing Business indicators for Chile. The paper includes the following headings: introduction, starting a business, dealing with licenses, employing workers, registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts, and closing a business.

Chile - Social Investment Fund (SIF) Aforestation and Carbon Sinks Project

Foreign direct investment in services and manufacturing productivity growth: evidence for Chile

During the 1990s, foreign direct investment in producer service sectors in Latin America was massive. Such investment may increase the quality of services, reduce their cost, and offer opportunities for knowledge spillovers to downstream users of the services. This paper examines the effects of foreign direct investment in services on manufacturing productivity growth in Chile between 1992 and 2004. The authors estimate an extended production function where plant output growth depends on input growth and a weighted measure of foreign direct investment in services. The novelty of the approach is that the authors are able to assess the intensity of usage of various types of services at the plant level and use that information in the estimation of the importance of foreign direct investment in those services. The econometric results show a positive and significant effect of foreign direct investment in services on productivity growth of Chilean manufacturing plants which is robust to a multitude of tests. The economic impact of the estimates is that forward linkages from foreign direct investment in services account for almost 5 percent of the observed increase in Chilean manufacturing productivity growth during the sample period. This evidence therefore suggests that reducing the barriers restricting foreign direct investment in services in many developing economies may help accelerate productivity growth in their manufacturing sectors.

Chile - Aforestation and Carbon Sinks Project

The project Social Protection TA Additional Financing has changed to Active

2009-11-06T05:00:00.000Z

The project Social Protection TA Additional Financing has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

Chile: WB approves US$3 million for technical assistance to social protection

2009-10-30T13:40:42.000Z

Contacts:

In Buenos Aires: Yanina Budkin (54-11) 4316-9724

ybudkin@worldbank.org

In Washington: Gabriela Aguilar (202) 473-6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

Washington DC, October 29, 2009 – The Board of Directors of the World Bank today approved an additional financing of US$3 million to increase the effectiveness of the Social Protection Technical Assistance Project, approved in 2003. The new loan aims to strengthen the system of social protection in Chile through two programs: Chile Solidario, that reaches extremely poor families and other vulnerable individuals, and Chile Crece Contigo, that covers young children.

Between 2000 and 2006, the share of the population below the poverty line dropped from 20.2 percent to 13.7 percent, while the share of the extremely por population fell from 5.6 percent to 3.2 percent. Nevertheless, Chile continues to struggle with high inequlity and low social mobility. Consequently, the new project seeks to reduce poverty in the share of households below the poverty line.

In particular, the activities to be financed by the World Bank will support the extension and improvement of Chile Solidario, a program that reached 328,000 poor families as of June 2009; and will also include the program Chile Crece Contigo, that targets children under 4 year of age.

The Project consists of the following components:

1. Design, upgrading and implementation of the Integrated System of Social Information (SIIS), that would be extended to incorporate the programs of Chile Crece Contigo;

2. Staff training to strengthen the capacities of MIDEPLAN and other agencies involved, in order to develop, implement and monitor the system of social protection.; as well as carrying out capacity building activities in Municipalities to improve the implementation of the programs;

3. Strengthening capacities to improve the analysis, evaluation and monitoring of social programs;

4. Institutional strengthening of MIDEPLAN, in particular, of the units in charge of coordination and evaluation of the social protection system.

The US$3 million variable-spread loan has a final maturity of 4 years and includes a grace period of 18 months.

For more information about the project, please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P114774

For more information about the World Bank in Chile, please visit:

www.bancomundial.cl

Chile: Social Protection Technical Assistance Additional Financing

2009-10-29T18:21:49.000Z

WASHINGTON, October 29, 2009 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project:

IBRD Loan: US$3 million

Terms: Maturity = 4 years; Grace Period = 1.5 years

Project ID: P114774

Project Description: Additional financing for the Social Protection Technical Assistance Project in Chile aims to strengthen the system of social protection in Chile through the continued operation and improvements in Chile Solidario, which support extremely poor families and other vulnerable individuals (including to date older adults living alone, the homeless, and children of prisoners), and the recent extension of the system to cover young children through Chile Crece Contigo (integrated system of protection for young children).

Media Contact

Gabriela Aguilar

(202) 473-67-68

gaguilar@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit: http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P114774

The project Sustainable Transport and Air Quality for Santiago (GEF) has changed to Closed

2009-10-01T04:00:00.000Z

The project Sustainable Transport and Air Quality for Santiago (GEF) has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Sustainable Transport, and Air quality for Santigo aims to help reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) from ground transport in Santiago through the promotion of a long-term modal shift to more efficient and less polluting forms of transport, and the adoption of sustainable low-GHG transport measures. The project has the following four components. Component 1) will includes the implementation of a three-year program of promotional actions, with the overall objective of increasing bicycle use in the three Comunas. Component 2) will provide technical assistance for evaluating the economic and environmental impact of clean technologies for buses. The tests will be developed using a state of the art emissions laboratory for heavy duty vehicles located at the 3 CV facilities. The business structure of bus services in Santiago has resulted in a costly and environmentally unsustainable surface public transport system. Key issues include: (a) lack of an organizational model that would facilitate efficient public transport operation, (b) dispersed operations that hinder the effective control of bus services and contribute to traffic congestion, (c) lack of professional management among bus operators, and (d) an unattractive image which induces potential bus passengers to use private vehicles instead. The implementation of the bus routes, and more specifically of the trunk routes on segregated busways is expected to allow the road-based public transport system to run more efficiently with a reduced number of buses. Component 3) current tools for policy making rely on the use of transport models inter-phased with an emission model assessing emission changes due to changes in direct transport measures. 4) Developing the Central Ring of Santiago (Anillo Central). It was decided in agreement with the "Mesa de Trabajo Ciudad y Territorio" that the GEF support would focus its intervention through an analysis of the consistency and compatibility of the various sector policies that affect land-use and transport. reduce motor vehicle use within Santiago's city center. This will be done trough the implementation of measures such as traffic calming, pedestrian facilities implementation, and parking restrictions in the area of the Triangulo Central de Santiago. Various studies or a multi-pronged study will be necessary before defining a technically sound politically viable scheme. CONAMA is preparing a project of law to establish a legal and comprehensive ground for the so-called Decontamination Bonds. These are economic instruments designed to place a cap on emissions to the Metropolitan Area of Santiago.

Strengthening Dispute Resolution Systems

2009-07-21T17:42:39.000Z

WEBAgenda-Bios_.pdf

The project Chile: Social Protection Technical Assistance Project has changed to Closed

2009-01-25T05:00:00.000Z

The project Chile: Social Protection Technical Assistance Project has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The objectives of the proposed Social Protection Technical Assistance Loan Project are to support the efforts of the Government of Chile to implement Chile Solidario and lay the foundation of a national system of social protection. The project has the following four components. Component 1) The design and implementation of a national information system for social protection will address current limitations of the lack of communication, articulation and dialogue between different systems of information, managed by different agencies. Instead, there will be a holistic design for the gathering, handling, and management of data related to the social and economic characteristics of individuals. In the first phase, the system will cover all families participating in Chile Solidario. Component 2) There are two training sub-components. The first covers training of MIDEPLAN and other government officials, at both the central and local levels. To carry out this activity a unit would be set up within the Department of Social Policy Development within the Social Division of MIDEPLAN. The training supported will include activities to help MIDEPLAN progress in the design of a system of social protection. The second sub-component will strengthen the capacity of the social workers and others who work with the families of Chile Solidario. Training for the social workers is critical given the importance of the interaction between the social worker and the family in the design of Chile Solidario, as well as the complexity of the issues they face. Component 3) The goal of this component is to strengthen capacity within the public sector to measure the impact of Chile Solidario and its associated programs. Component 4) In order for MIDEPLAN to carry out its designated role to coordinate the implementation of the new set of policies, a program of institutional modernization and strengthening for the ministry is required. This process, if successful, will strengthen MIDEPLAN's role as the coordinator of social protection policy and programs in Chile.

The project Chile Social Protection Technical Assistance Project Additional Financing is now in the pipeline.

2008-12-25T05:00:00.000Z

The project Chile Social Protection Technical Assistance Project Additional Financing is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

Consultations on the Bank Web Site

2008-12-09T15:37:38.000Z

Dear reader,

A few years ago, the World Bank’s Web site was noted as a leader among development organizations’ websites. As technology has rapidly advanced and user expectations evolved, our Web site too needs to change and adapt.

You come to our Web site because you are looking for the latest information on development. Our project information, data and research assist you in tackling your challenges or keeping up on the Bank’s activities.

Now we’re catching up. We are revamping our Web site and expanding our online capabilities to better satisfy our business needs and meet audience demands.

We’re examining all aspects of the site—content, technology, business needs and audience demands—to figure out what needs to stay, be improved or be removed.

This is a complex undertaking. We are currently gathering information to determine requirements for our future site.

Through our open online consultation, we are looking for comments from anyone who wishes to discuss their information needs and any difficulties they encounter with the site. The online consultation period ends on December 31, 2008.

All feedback we receive will inform the future design and functionality of the Web site by informing Bank management on audience needs.

Our ultimate goal is to make the Web site better support the institution’s mission of fighting global poverty and helping countries develop.

Your feedback will bring us closer to this goal.

Thank you,

Angie Gentile
Managing Editor, www.worldbank.org

The project Chile - Ministry of Public Works DPL has changed to Closed

2008-12-07T05:00:00.000Z

The project Chile - Ministry of Public Works DPL has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Institutional Strengthening of the Ministry of Public Works Development Policy Loan in Chile aims to support the Government's reform of the Ministry of Public Works by strengthening its planning functions; developing performance standards for contracts and concessions; improving project management; strengthening regulatory oversight of public works and private contracts; and embedding the organizational changes in appropriate legal and normative structure. This, in turn, is meant to contribute to the Government's objectives of greater efficiency in the use of public resources; and increased transparency, competition and citizen participation in the contracting and concessioning of public works. The specific development objectives of each of the strengthening measures are: integrated planning - to achieve a rational use of resources and highest potential value for money in investment; standards, contracts, and competitiveness - to develop service standards, model contracts and bidding procedures that promote competition and assign risks rationally; integrated project management - to design and implement an Integrated Project Management procedure and to carry out the transition between the existing and traditional project management procedures to the new one.

The project CL SIF Forest Carbon Project is now in the pipeline.

2008-10-11T04:00:00.000Z

The project CL SIF Forest Carbon Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

Global Food and Fuel Crisis Will Increase Malnourished by 44 Million

2008-10-08T17:30:00.000Z

Contacts:
In Washington :Carl Hanlon 202-473-8087; chanlon@worldbank.org;
Philip Hay 202-473-1796
phay@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, October 8, 2008 – High food and fuel prices will increase the number of malnourished people around the world in 2008 by 44 million to reach a total of 967 million, a report from the World Bank says.

While food and fuel price increases may have moderated in recent months, prices remain much higher than previous years and show few signs of declining significantly, according to the report entitled “Rising food and fuel prices: addressing the risks to future generations”. Poor families around the world are being pushed to the brink of survival, causing irreparable damage to the health of millions of children. As families cut back on spending, there are also grave risks for the educational performance of poor children.

“While people in the developed world are focused on the financial crisis, many forget that a human crisis is rapidly unfolding in developing countries. It is pushing poor people to the brink of survival,” said World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick. “The financial crisis will only make it more difficult for developing countries to protect their most vulnerable people from the impact of rising food and fuel costs.”

The report, due to be presented on Sunday to the Development Committee at the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and IMF, says the food and fuel crisis could have long term effects on poor people and countries. Malnourished children cannot develop into healthy adults and become productive members of society who can contribute to the growth needed to lift themselves and their country out of poverty.

The report says priority should be given to a series of targeted measures. These include:

Making existing targeted cash (or near cash) transfer programs more generous;
Getting nutrition to infants and pregnant women;
expanding so-called ”in-kind” food distribution programs including school feeding and the distribution of fortified calorically dense food;
using fee waivers, lifeline-pricing and other forms of targeted subsidies for poor users/consumers; and
introducing additional measures to prevent children from dropping out of school, such as fee waivers, subsidies for school inputs, or cash transfers.

The report also argues that allocating the necessary amount of budget to finance an expansion of safety net programs may require pruning less-priority spending in other areas. But it notes that well-designed safety net programs do not have to be prohibitively expensive to be effective. Some of the most successful programs in the world cost well under 1 percent of Gross Domestic Product. Moreover, investing in safety net programs now will give governments new tools to address not just the current crisis, but future ones as well.

In May, the World Bank launched a $1.2 billion rapid financing facility to help poor countries cope with the food crisis. Since then, around US$850 million has been committed to finance seeds, plantings, and feeding programs. In April, Zoellick called for a New Deal for Global Food Policy that included short, medium and long-term measures to provide immediate help to poor people and farmers while increasing food production.

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For more information on the Bank's work in nutrition, please visit: www.worldbank.org/nutrition

and for more on social safety nets, click here: www.worldbank.org/safetynets

The project CL: Promoting Innovation and Competitiveness Project has changed to Active

2008-07-17T04:00:00.000Z

The project CL: Promoting Innovation and Competitiveness Project has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The overall development objective Promoting Innovation and Competitiveness Project will be to enhance Chile's policy and institutional innovation framework for competitiveness and improve the impact of priority innovation programs. More specifically, the project's objectives are to: (i) to strengthen the ministry of economy's (MoE's) capacity on innovation and ensure its coherence with other policies for competitiveness; (ii) strengthen National Commission For Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT) and improve the coherence, quality and relevance of research funding policy in Chile; and (iii) stimulate technology transfer and the creation of new technology based enterprises through Chilean Development Agency (Corporation for the Promotion of Production) (CORFO). There are three components to the project. The first component of the project is strengthening the MoE capacity on innovation and related competitiveness policies. This component will enhance the MoE's institutional capacity to formulate, monitor, and evaluate innovation policies in accordance with the guidelines of the National Innovation Strategy. In addition, it will support selected elements of the broader Strategic Plan to strengthen the MoE, which is under advanced preparation, in order to foster consistency between innovation policies and other policies seeking to enhance Chile's competitiveness. This will also ensure that the innovation related units of the MoE operate within a solid and adequate institutional framework promoting sustainability of reforms. In addition, this component will support the project co-ordination unit within the MoE. The second component of the project is strengthening Chile's science base. This component will strengthen CONICYT by helping the institution formulate a strategic plan with clear medium-term goals aligned with the national innovation strategy, develop and implement a coherent research support policy, and increase its capacity to design and evaluate programs. At the end of the project, CONICYT will have increased capacity to design, oversee, and learn from the implementation of its programs. The Inter-ministerial Committee on Innovation and the ministry of education will guide CONICYT in the implementation of this component. The third component of the project is fostering technology transfer and new technology-based ventures. The component will strengthen CORFO-led programs that seek to stimulate the start-up of knowledge intensive businesses and the adoption of higher value technologies by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and its monitoring and evaluation capacity. It will achieve the above through three subcomponents: (i) upgrading new technology based enterprise development, (ii) strengthening technology extension and transfer services for SMEs, and (iii) strengthening CORFO s monitoring and evaluation capacity of Innova Chile's programs.

Chile: US$30 Million World Bank Loan to Improve Competitiveness through Innovation

2008-07-15T19:42:03.000Z

Contacts:
In Buenos Aires: Yanina Budkin (54-11) 4316-9724
ybudkin@worldbank.org
In Washington: Gabriela Aguilar (202) 473-6768
gaguilar2@worldbank.org

WASHINGTONDC, July 15, 2008- The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved today a US$30 million loan to enhance Chile’s policy and institutional innovation framework for competitiveness through priority programs in critical areas.

The initiative will help improve the international competitiveness of Chile’s economy and stimulate sustained economic growth and job creation by adding value to production and diversifying exports. It would do this by strengthening Chile’s capacity to compete as a knowledge economy.

“Innovation is a top priority in Chile’s competitiveness agenda. Becoming a knowledge economy means adding value to sectors where Chile has demonstrated comparative advantages while supporting key emerging sectors,” said Pedro Alba, World Bank Country Director for Chile, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. “The project supports key elements of the national innovation strategy with a strong emphasis on building robust institutional foundations.”

More specifically, the project will:

(i) Strengthen the Ministry of Economy’s capacity on innovation in accordance with the guidelines of the National Innovation Strategy;

(ii) Strengthen Chile’s Science Base – by supporting the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT) and improving the coherence, quality and relevance of research funding policy in Chile; and

(iii) Stimulate technology transfer and the creation of new technology based enterprises through the Corporation for the Promotion of Production (CORFO).

“Innovation is the key that has allowed countries such as Ireland or Finland to benefit from their comparative advantages and grow on a sustainable basis adding value to their endowments. It is the key to change Chile’s productive matrix and make a leap to development,” said Hugo Lavados, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Innovation.

Due to its global reach and expertise in the innovation sector, especially with OECD and Asian countries and its capacity to adapt international standards and successful experiences to the circumstances of Chile, the World Bank is considered a strategic partner of Chile’s modernization efforts.

Esperanza Lasagabaster, World Bank Task Manager for the project added “Chile is in a favorable position to focus on microeconomic reforms aimed at boosting the capacity of firms to sustain productivity growth and develop new business opportunities. International evidence indicates that half of all differences in income and growth are attributed to differences in total factor productivity generally associated with technological development and innovation. Thus, boosting Chile’s capacity to innovate needs to be at the center of its policy agenda.”

The project builds on the support provided to the Government of Chile through policy advice and two prior investment projects – the Millennium Science Initiative and the Science for the Knowledge Economy Project. It will help align innovation programs to the priority clusters defined in the proposed national innovation strategy. Among the priority areas of intervention, mechanisms to transfer technology to small and medium enterprises and to promote the emergence of new knowledge-based ventures will be enhanced.

The Specific Investment Loan (SIL) for US$30 million has a total maturity of 10.5 years including 6 years of grace.

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For more information on World Bank’s program in Chile, please visit:
http://www.worldbank.org/cl

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

Chile: Innovation for Competitiveness Project

2008-07-15T19:16:36.000Z

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2008- The following project was approved today by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors:

IBRD Loan: US$30 million

TERMS: Maturity= 5.5 years; Grace= 3.5 years

Project Description: This project aims to enhance Chile’s policy and institutional innovation framework for competitiveness and improve the impact of priority innovation programs. More specifically, the project’s objective is: (i) to strengthen the Ministry of Economy’s capacity on innovation and ensure its coherence with other policies for competitiveness; (ii) strengthen the National Commission For Scientific And Technological Research (CONICYT) and improve the coherence, quality and relevance of research funding policy in Chile; and (iii)stimulate technology transfer and the creation of new technology based enterprises through the Chilean Development Agency (Corporation for the Promotion of Production).

For more information, please call Gabriela Aguilar at (202) 473-6768 or e-mail here at gaguilar2@worldbank.org

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

New report on economic growth offers lessons on achieving sustained, high economic growth

2008-05-21T17:11:32.000Z

Contacts:

In Washington:

Maya Brahmam at +1-202-473-6231 or email at mbrahmam@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2008 – The World Bank Group welcomes a new report by the independent Commission on Growth and Development, a global panel of eminent experts, which reveals important lessons from countries that have achieved high, long-term economic growth. The experts say the lessons learned could help policy makers in developing countries as they seek to set their countries on a steady growth path.

The Growth Report: Strategies for Sustained Growth and Inclusive Development says integration into the world economy, maintaining high rates of savings and investment, and committed, capable governments are among the key features of countries that have sustained growth rates above 7 percent for 25 uninterrupted years since World War II.

"This report underscores to the development community that one size doesn’t fit all." said World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick. I am especially pleased that it draws on input from first class practitioners and leaders who have hands-on pragmatic and practical experience of making inclusive development a success. This will help enrich the thinking and practice of the World Bank Group as well as others in the development field.” “

High, long-lasting growth is not easily achieved, but the report by some of the world’s top policy-makers and thinkers, believes it can be reproduced in developing countries, giving them a chance to reduce poverty and improve opportunity and quality of life for their citizens.

“We are acutely aware that there are no silver bullets to create long-running, inclusive growth, and that no single paradigm exists,” says Commission Vice Chair Danny Leipziger, who is also Vice President for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management at the World Bank. “While seeking to identify those key elements that can lead to long running and inclusive growth, the report is clear that policy makers will need to customize and experiment with polices rather than follow any rigid set of guidelines.”

Commission Chairman Michael Spence said: " What makes the report so unique is that it was prepared by policymakers, many from developing countries, who have been in the trenches themselves and have learned what works and why. It is these commissioners who are now providing their insights to the next generation of policymakers on ways to improve growth prospects and the quality of life in the poor parts of the globe."

Spence is one of two Nobel Laureates on the 21-member commission comprising leaders from business, government and academia. The Commissioners come from 18 countries that include a broad mix of developing, emerging and developed economies, as well as small island states and populous, large countries.

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To download full report click here:

http://www.growthcommission.org/

World Bank Broadens Transport Agenda

2008-05-21T17:00:00.000Z

Contacts
In Washington:
Roger Morier (202) 473 5675, rmorier@worldbank.org
Anna Piasecka (202) 458 7027, apiasecka@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 21, 2008 – The World Bank Group today launched a new transport business strategy for 2008-2012 that will help partner countries establish the governance, strategies, policies and services to deliver transport for development in a way that is economically, financially, environmentally and socially sustainable.

Called Safe, Clean, and Affordable… Transport for Development, the business strategy strengthens the alignment of the transport sector approach with the Millennium Development Goals adopted by the United Nations in 2000. At the same time, it widens the directions and deepens the routes that will be taken to meet the evolving development agenda. It gives more attention to emerging trends, such as trade globalization, urbanization of populations; rising concerns about climate change, the increase in traffic congestion; and the recognition of access as a key to both economic opportunity and good governance.

“In striving to achieve its development objectives—and foremost to eradicate poverty—the World Bank Group is mobilizing the transport sector to the fullest possible extent,” said Katherine Sierra, World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development. ”To that end, the transport business strategy aligns Bank Group instruments along a few key strategic directions that will pave the way to truly sustainable development, one where transport plays a crucial role.”

“In a world with rising levels of greenhouse gases, poor road safety, and the too-frequent spread of communicable diseases along international routes, transport must be looked at anew. A coherent way forward requires innovative thinking and cooperation among sectors to optimize the role of transport without jeopardizing personal and commercial mobility.”

The Bank Group consulted widely in preparing its new business strategy, seeking contributions from over 75 transport development partners, governments, professional institutions, civil society organizations, multilateral and bilateral donors, and putting an early draft on its external website for four months to elicit public comments.

Safe Transport
Acknowledging the importance of transport for achieving public health outcomes within the Millennium Development Goals, the strategy stresses the need to mitigate the spread of HIV/AIDS, and to address safety in all transport modes, especially road transport. It also addresses the safety issue in air transport which, although globally much safer, still shows a safety record significantly affecting growth and investment prospects in some regions, in particular Sub-Saharan Africa. Transport and supply-chain security has also become a major issue in ensuring fair access of developing country exports to developed markets, and needs to be addressed as a new global public good.

“Road crashes kill an estimated 1.2 million people a year and injure 50 million more, disproportionately affecting the poor,” said Anthony Bliss, Lead Road Safety Specialist, Program Coordinator for the World Bank’s Global Road Safety Facility. “We are placing special emphasis on road safety, extending our support to include not only road safety components embedded in road infrastructure projects, but also larger stand-alone projects to formulate national policies and strategies that would improve road safety across the board. We will also pursue cross-sectoral approaches, such as including pre-hospital components in road programs and road safety components in health programs.”

Clean Transport
Urban air pollution, 90 percent of it generated by motor vehicles, kills an estimated 800,000 people each year. Transport now produces approximately 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Reflecting the contribution of transport to the wider environmental aims of the Millennium Development Goals, the strategy encompasses the transport-energy-environment nexus, from the energy consumption to the emissions and climate change impact perspectives. Going forward, the World Bank Group will be working to help restrain transport energy consumption. It will be assessing and controlling transport projects emissions, favoring shifts to low carbon modes.

“We are setting guidelines for environmentally effective transport planning and decision making,” said Jamal Saghir, Director, Energy, Transport and Water Department and Chair of the Transport Sector Board. “We are seeking ways to mitigate the effects of transport on the climate—and the effects of climate change on transport asset. We intend to build climate change issues into transport project appraisals where appropriate.”

Affordable Transport
An estimated 1 billion people in low-income countries lack access to an all-weather road. Affordable transport can enhance mobility and inclusion. It can promote social, economic, and political integration, by keeping a country together despite geographic disparities, by overcoming potential disputes over access to resources, and by defusing the seeds of conflict that sometimes arise from feelings of isolation.

Marc Juhel, Sector Manager for Transport stressed the fact that affordability concerns not only the rural and urban poor, but also the whole freight economy, aiming at improving competitiveness to foster stronger economic growth:

“The strategy stresses the need for better knowledge and control of transport costs, for both passengers and freight, on domestic and regional, urban and rural settings. The implementation of an effective urban transport strategy, reaching out to the growing urban poor population, is a key element of this approach. On the freight side, the cooperative work on trade and transport facilitation—in particular on customs and transit issues—will be strengthened.”

World Bank contribution to transport over previous decade
Since the Bank’s 1996 transport strategy, Sustainable Transport, was endorsed by the World Bank’s Board of Directors, the Bank Group has committed around US$42 billion for more than 530 dedicated transport operations and transport components in over 500 non-transport specific projects in more than 100 client countries. Lending in fiscal year 2007 (July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007) reached over US$5 billion, amounting to 20 percent of World Bank Group new annual commitments.

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View the transport business strategy—Safe, Clean, and Affordable… Transport for Development at: http://www.worldbank.org/transport

World Bank Group President Appoints Vice President of Institutional Integrity

2008-05-05T18:00:00.000Z

Contacts:
In Washington: Carl Hanlon (202) 473 8087
chanlon@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. May 5, 2008 – World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick has named South African Leonard McCarthy to head the Bank’s Department of Institutional Integrity (INT). McCarthy has earned international recognition for investigations and prosecutions of individuals engaged in corruption as head of South Africa’s Directorate of Special Operations.

“Leonard McCarthy is recognized worldwide for his integrity, independence, and effectiveness in fighting corruption and strengthening good governance,” says Zoellick. “This is the first time that the Department of Institutional Integrity will be headed at the level of Vice President, and McCarthy brings to the post stature, skill, and tested experience. This post is critical for our work, reputation, and fiduciary duty. I am confident that he will bring effective leadership to our highest obligation to protect the Bank’s assets and hold people, businesses, and governments responsible if they steal from the poor.”

McCarthy’s work with South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority has included investigating and prosecuting high profile cases of financial crime, organized crime, and high-level corruption. He has worked closely with African governments and law enforcement officials across the globe to expose and prosecute transnational financial crime. McCarthy was formerly a Director of Public Prosecutions appointed by President Nelson Mandela.

An experienced trial lawyer, he has held numerous positions in government, including Investigating Director in the Office for Serious Economic Offenses, Deputy Attorney General in Cape Province and Senior Public Prosecutor. He holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of South Africa in Cape Town.

Following talks with the South African government, President Mbeki has agreed to release McCarthy from service, to take up the position at the World Bank on June 30, 2008.

“I am honored to receive this appointment and to be joining the World Bank, I believe strongly in its vision, said McCarthy. “President Zoellick has made clear to me the strong emphasis he places on INT’s role, its need for strong, highly skilled people who will both pursue investigations and integrate anti-corruption work into Bank projects across the world. I am committed to delivering results and building on INT’s work to strengthen financial due diligence and ensure that precious development resources benefit people who need them most.”

McCarthy was selected from a list of candidates assessed by an internal search committee with the addition of former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, who led a review of INT last year. In his report Volcker called for greater attention to protect against corruption in designing and implementing Bank programs.

Mr. Volcker has welcomed the fact that: “the Bank is now implementing the recommendations of the Panel he chaired, importantly including elevating the head of INT to the level of vice president.”

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World Bank Marks World Press Freedom Day with Study on Broadcasting and Development

2008-05-02T12:30:00.000Z

Contact:

In Washington: Christopher Neal, (202) 473-2049

Cneal1@worldbank.org

MAPUTO, May 2, 2008—The World Bank marked World Press Freedom Day by launching a study outlining conditions under which radio, television and online broadcasting can fulfil a vital role in development by making governments accountable, and giving voice to the world’s poor.

“Huge numbers of people, including those who can’t read, have access to broadcast media,” said Kreszentia Duer, of the World Bank Institute (WBI), who presented the study, Broadcasting, Voice and Accountability, at a conference here on freedom of expression hosted by UNESCO. “In countries with strong oral traditions, community broadcasting can enable people to share information and raise issues with a large audience, and hold government officials to account. This makes broadcasting a powerful tool for enhancing governance and promoting development.”

The 400-page study, subtitled A Public Interest Approach to Policy, Law and Regulation, is the result of five years of research by six media experts, including Ms. Duer, Steve Buckley, president of the World Association of Community Broadcasters; Toby Mendel, ARTICLE 19, Global Campaign for Free Expression; Seán Ó Siochrú, founder of the Campaign for Communication Rights in the Information Society; Monroe E. Price, of the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania; and Marc Raboy, of Canada’s McGill University.

The study reviews broadcasting practices and regulations around the world, and identifies those which produce an “enabling environment” for broadcasting that is free, independent and pluralistic. These characteristics are essential, the report says, for broadcasting to perform an effective role in giving people voice, and ensuring government accountability.

Drawing from their research, the authors propose standards on freedom of expression, access to information, use and misuses of defamation law, content rules and limits to free speech, and the regulation of journalists. The study also offers guidelines on best practice for broadcast regulators, as well as the respective roles of public service, community non-profit, and commercial private sector broadcasters, all of which, it argues, should be present in a healthy media environment.

Co-author Steve Buckley notes that increased movement towards democracy in developing countries opens the way to build broadcasting that serves the public interest.

“Countries that are opening their economies, democratizing, and decentralizing public service delivery are looking for guidance on how to involve citizens in decisions that affect them,” he said. “Broadcasting, enabled by the right regulation and conditions, can empower groups through bottom-up participation.”

The book cites countries that have developed systems to enhance the quality and diversity of media content, while fully respecting freedom of expression, and identifies ways in which government regulation can expand access to broadcast media. Community broadcasting, for example, can be encouraged through special licensing arrangements that guarantee fair and equitable access to radio frequencies and financial support.

“This book focuses on useful proactive approaches to setting up, sustaining, and governing broadcasting systems across the world,” said Ruth Teer-Tomaselli, UNESCO Chair in Communication for Southern Africa at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. “It’s based on sound scholarship and provides practical advice for policymakers, media scholars and broadcasters alike.”

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For more information, please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/WBI/0,,contentMDK:21747844~pagePK:209023~piPK:207535~theSitePK:213799,00.html

To order: http://publications.worldbank.org/ecommerce/catalog/product?item_id=8100893

World Bank President Calls for Plan to Fight Hunger in Pre-Spring Meetings Address

2008-04-02T15:53:10.000Z

April 2, 2008—In a speech today, World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick called for a "new deal" to combat world hunger and malnutrition through a combination of emergency aid and long-term efforts to boost agricultural productivity in developing countries.

The "New Deal for a Global Food Policy" is part of a suite of initiatives Zoellick outlined to advance development in the face of skyrocketing food and oil prices. He also called for a global trade deal to be agreed as soon as possible, detailed an initiative to help countries manage their wealth earned from high energy and mineral prices in a more inclusive way, and encouraged sovereign wealth funds to create a "One Percent Solution" for equity investment in Africa.

Agricultural Assistance

The World Bank will nearly double agricultural assistance to US$800 million in Africa. Zoellick also urged wealthy nations to help the UN’s World Food Program meet some $500 million in emergency food needs.

"The United States, the European Union, Japan and other OECD countries must act now to fill this gap – or many more people will suffer and starve," Zoellick said in an address sponsored by the Center for Global Development in Washington.

Zoellick said the "New Deal for a Global Food Policy" is needed to combat the "forgotten" Millennium Development Goal of overcoming malnutrition. Only about a tenth of the resources directed at HIV/AIDS goes to fight malnutrition, which causes 3.5 million deaths a year in children under 5 and has long-lasting impacts on health and achievement.

"Hunger and malnutrition are a cause, not just a result, of poverty," said Zoellick.

The World Bank estimates 33 countries face social unrest because of soaring food and energy prices.

The New Deal requires a shift from traditional food aid to a broader concept of food and nutrition assistance, such as cash or vouchers that can help build local food markets and farm production,.and create a "Green Revolution" for Sub-Saharan Africa, said Zoellick.

"This New Deal should focus not only on hunger and nutrition, access to food and its supply, but also the interconnections with energy, yields, climate change, investment, the marginalization of women and others, and economic resiliency and growth," said Zoellick.

"Food policy needs to gain the attention of the highest political levels, because no one country or group can meet these interconnected challenges."

Zoellick said the World Bank Group can help by:

Backing emergency measures that support the poor while encouraging incentives to produce and harvest food
Offering access to technology and science to boost yields
Helping countries counter weather-related risks, such as drought
Facilitating land-titling, local currency financing, working capital, distribution and logistics, and support for services on which farmers rely

"Income gains in agriculture have three times the power in overcoming poverty than increases in other sectors, and 75 percent of the world’s poor are rural, with most involved in farming," said Zoellick.

Trade Also Key to Lower Food Prices

Zoellick said the time was "now or never" to break the impasse in global trade talks. A "fairer and more open trading system" would encourage developing country farmers to expand production, he said.

"The poor need lower food prices now. But the world’s agricultural trading system is stuck in the past. If ever there was a time to cut distorting agricultural subsidies and open markets for food imports, it must be now."

An accord would give developing countries, big and small, more opportunities to become more productive and lower prices through trade. It would also infuse confidence in an economic system stressed by financial anxiety, he said.

However, "powerful voices across the political spectrum, including in my own country, are calling for, rationalizing, protectionism," Zoellick said. "This economic isolationism signals a defeatism that will reap the losses, not the gains, of globalization."

The trade talks are also a "critical test" for striking a global deal on climate change. "If negotiators of 150 economies cannot manage the political tradeoffs of the Doha Round to reap the clear benefits, it does not auger well for bringing developed and developing countries together on a new accord for climate change."

Sovereign Wealth Funds

Zoellick also outlined a plan to encourage emerging economies such as China, India and Brazil to invest about US$30 billion in African nations through government-sponsored wealth funds.

Such sovereign wealth funds currently hold about US$3 trillion in assets. They have come under scrutiny recently because of investments outside their own countries. Zoellick noted they need transparency and should be guided by best practices to avoid politicization, but "where some see sovereign funds as a source of concern, we see opportunity," said Zoellick.

The World Bank’s "One Percent Solution" involves creating the equity investment platforms and benchmarks to attract these investors, and allocating 1 percent of the assets to African growth, development and opportunity.

"This one percent could be the start of something much bigger, across more types of funds and countries, because the investment of wealth into equity for development offers opportunity, not something to fear."

Extractive Industries Initiative

Zoellick announced a new approach to help ensure that high energy and commodity prices translate into improvements in the lives of the poor.

The EITI++ builds on the transparency and good governance concepts of the existing multi-stakeholder Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). EITI publicizes and verifies company payments and government revenues from oil, gas and mining. But many governments are emphasizing that transparent revenue reporting, while important, is not enough. The World Bank is therefore working with developing countries and other partners to frame a "comprehensive approach to supplement the original project."

EITI++ will include providing technical assistance to countries on the awarding of contracts, monitoring operations, collecting taxes, improving resource extraction and economic decisions, better managing price volatility, and investing revenues effectively in sustainable development.

An EITI++ approach will be launched in Guinea. "The successful development of Guinea’s rich resources can strengthen sustainable development for the entire region," Zoellick said.

"The EITI++ can advance inclusive and sustainable globalization by broadening the beneficiaries of resource development."

The project Chile, Pollutant Release and Transfer Register as Information Exchange Mechanism for the Stockholm Convention on POPs is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-27T04:00:00.000Z

The project Chile, Pollutant Release and Transfer Register as Information Exchange Mechanism for the Stockholm Convention on POPs is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project CL: Science for the Knowledge Economy Project is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project CL: Science for the Knowledge Economy Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Science for the Knowledge Economy Project for Chile seeks two development objectives, which, in agreement with the Government's strategy, are expected to place Chile on the path to a knowledge-based economy: First, and foremost, the project will support the development of an effective innovation system. I t will do so by establishing a strong and coherent policy framework, promoting high-quality and relevant science and technology activities and by supporting key interfaces in the innovation system, especially between the public and private sector as well as international linkages. Second, and subordinate to the first goal, the project will improve the stock of human capital in the Chilean science and technology sector, a development objective which is highly complementary to the establishment of an effective innovation system and per se a critical precondition for establishing a competitive knowledge-based economy. The project development objectives will be pursued through the implementation of three components: (i) improving Chile's science, technology and innovation system; (ii) strengthening Chile 's science base, and (iii) enhancing public-private linkages.

The project Chile Infrastructure for Territorial Development is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project Chile Infrastructure for Territorial Development is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Infrastructure for Territorial Development Project for Chile aims to increase the effective and productive use of sustainable infrastructure services by poor rural communities in selected territories o f the regions of Coquimbo, Maule, BioBio, Araucania, and Los Lagos (or any other region as may be proposed by the Borrower and agreed to by the Bank). The project has the following three components: Component 1) will assist local stakeholders and regional government agencies to: (a) prepare in prioritized rural territories in the five eligible regions development framework plans, (b) identify demands for improved infrastructure services, and (c) monitor progress with plan implementation. Component 2) will support: (a) feasibility and design studies of subproject proposals to submit for financing under this component, (b) rehabilitation of rural roads and construction, rehabilitation and expansion of rural water, sanitation, electricity and ICT infrastructure, (c) supervision of the mentioned works, and (d) studies and support for the establishment and strengthening of local service providers to operate, maintain and administer the services to achieve quality and sustainability. Component 3) will support: (a) project coordination units at national and regional levels, (b) implementation of studies and capacity building to strengthen policies and institutions in areas of territorial planning and rural infrastructure service delivery (including those related to the application of social and environmental safeguards), and (c) project monitoring, evaluation and learning as a contribution to national level expansion of the program.

The project CL Santiago Urban Transport Technical Assistance Project is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project CL Santiago Urban Transport Technical Assistance Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Santiago Urban Transport Technical Assistance Project development objectives, are to support the implementation, monitoring, evaluation and continuous planning of the urban transport reform program, to strengthen capacities, and improve the procedures to mitigate potential adverse impacts of transport infrastructure works. The first component aims at developing, fine-tuning and certifying the tools to implement forecasts and analyses, analytical work on qualitative and quantitative information regarding urban passenger, and freight movements, and on the impact of the new transport system on transport demand, focusing also on low-income households. As well, legislative changes will be prepared, and, sound strategies for road space recovery will be designed and tested, including the overall marketing of the Transantiago system. The second component will focus on the public transport, supported by a user perception survey of the new public transport system to collect information specifically on service quality, in particular, for low-income households. Through the third components, the project will support the environmental dimension of the urban transport reform, by providing regular data on air pollution, and noise created by the transport system, through technical assistance and supply of specific equipment. The fourth component consists of three main activities: 1) an impact analysis of Transantiago-PTUS on urban development; 2) an analysis of the transport and urban planning entities, and design of instruments to facilitate inter-institutional coordination; and, 3) technological and legal support for the development of the "one-stop process" project. The fifth component supports the social aspects of the Transantiago-PTUS systemic transport workers and public transport users, to include design and implementation of a strategy that raises awareness to improve public transport accessibility for people with reduced mobility, and as needed, provide related training assistance. Finally, mitigation of potential adverse impacts of transport infrastructure works will be ensured, by strengthening institutional capacity in the area of involuntary resettlements, that includes the revision of an updated resettlement framework, and on the environmental management plans.

The project Chile- Tertiary Education Finance for Results Project- First Phase APL is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project Chile- Tertiary Education Finance for Results Project- First Phase APL is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The program will support Chile's development into a knowledge-based economy, by strengthening its tertiary education system. To this end, the financing system for tertiary education will be revamped in order to enhance the quality, and relevance of tertiary education; ensure access to tertiary education; and, improve internal efficiency, and accountability for results. The Tertiary Education Finance for Results Project's development objective is to increase the effectiveness of public funding for tertiary education, so as to enhance coherence, responsiveness, and, equity and quality in the system, through stronger accountability for performance. The project has two main components as follows. The first component will strengthen the institutional framework for tertiary education. It entails: improved sector oversight, and regulation; strong policies and strategies for tertiary education; consolidation of the national system for quality assurance; establishment of a national observatory within tertiary education; and, project management activities. The second component comprises sub-projects to enhance coherence, efficiency, equity and quality. These subprojects will be innovative within tertiary programs, and, shall stimulate institutional effectiveness in critical areas, implemented through performance agreements. Beyond the program, the goal is to support the Government in completing the transition from the current funding system, to a performance-based system applied to an agreed proportion of base funding for universities.

The project Millennium Science Initiative Project is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project Millennium Science Initiative Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Millennium Science Initiative Project is to demonstrate improved performance in a highly selected segment of the Chilean science and technology (S&T) system through supporting advanced training of human capital by world-class scientists engaged in cutting edge research. There are three project components. 1) Management structure supports: a) establishment and operations of Board of Directors, Program Committee and Implementation Unit; b) technical assistance for selection of Science Institutes (SIs) and Science Nuclei (SN); c) proposal to scale-up and institutionalize the project; and d) monitoring remuneration of Program Committee and Implementation and Management Unit's personnel, and administrative costs. 2) Competitive fund for scientific excellence supports a) research projects at 1-3 SIs and 5-10 SN which carry out scientific research; b) expansion doctoral and post-doctoral training programs; and c) networking, outreach, and special activities to promote scientific excellence. 3) Network for the promotion of scientific excellence will support a) visits to establish formal and informal connections to top centers and institutions; b) coordination of appropriate initiative-wide activities with Directors of SIs, SN, and principal investigators; c) programs for exchange of researchers, post-graduates, and graduate students; d) design and delivery of international advanced courses; and e)dissemination of lessons learned.

The project Water Resource Management Project is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project Water Resource Management Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Chile: Higher Education Improvement Project is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project Chile: Higher Education Improvement Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Higher Education Improvement Project aims at improving the performance of the Chilean higher education system in: a) coherence and efficiency; b) quality and relevance; and c) equity. The project consists of three components. First, policy framework and capacity building will develop definitions of the appropriate roles of higher education institutions -- universities, professional institutes, and technical training centers; establish policies and mechanisms to facilitate transfer of students and graduates between institutions; propose amendments to present and proposed laws; develop policies and new working procedures in the various types of higher education institutions; and build capacity for management at the various educational institutions. Second, quality assurance will consolidate the national system for quality assurance; establish a qualification framework for study programs; and design and implement a quality awareness campaign. Third, financing will establish a coherent policy basis as the foundation for a funding methodology; increase accountability and develop a funding methodology; establish a competitive fund to promote quality and relevance; and assess and revise the student loan and scholarship schemes to increase equity in access and opportunities for further education.

The project Municipal Development Project (02) is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project Municipal Development Project (02) is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Second Municipal Development Project for Chile improves local governance and efficiency in providing public services, by strengthening the capacity of: 1) the national government to formulate, implement, and monitor decentralization policies and programs; and 2) municipalities in areas such as municipal planning, financial and human resources management, and the management of health and education services. There are two main components. The National Institutional Strengthening Component includes implementing programs developed under its pilot predecessor, the Municipal Development Pilot Project (MDPP) (report no. 12198); performing policy studies in key areas; and developing action plans for implementing them. Programs recommended by the MDPP include implementing a national management information system; a budgeting improvement program; streamlining access to social programs; and dissemination of best practices and lessons of experience. The second component, Municipal Strengthening, consists of three modules: the basic module is composed of municipal institutional development subprojects that focus on internal processes and improvements; the complementary module focuses on improving the municipality's management of key services by providing technical support to municipality's relationship with the community; and the flexible module finances newer and more innovative subprojects to address specific municipal problems.

The project Public-Private Mechanisms for Biodiversity Conservation in the Valdivian Forest (GEF-MSP) is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project Public-Private Mechanisms for Biodiversity Conservation in the Valdivian Forest (GEF-MSP) is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Copper Sector Project is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project Copper Sector Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project's purpose is (i) to maintain, render more effective and, in a few cases, to slightly expand Chile's capacity to process its copper ore and copper by-products; and (ii) to strengthen CODELCO and ENAMI's management while also improving planning and policy making within the sector. Individual subprojects to be financed under the proposed loan include: (I) for CODELCO: (a) an underground crushing plant, and related infrastructure, at the El Teniente Mine; (b) rehabilitation of the Barquito power plant which supplies the El Salvador Mine and smelter facilities; (c) a selenium recovery plant at Chuquicamata to process anode slimes from the Chuquicamata and El Salvador Mines; and (d) technical assistance. (II) For ENAMI: (a) the replacement of antiquated or obsolete equipment at the Paipote and Ventanas smelters and the modification of both smelters' burners to enable them to operate on Chilean coal as well as petroleum products; and (b) technical assistance.

The project Livestock Fruits Vineyards and Agro-Industry Project is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project Livestock Fruits Vineyards and Agro-Industry Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

Long-term credit would be provided: (i) to approximately 4,300 small farmers and ranchers who, either individually or as members of cooperatives, farm 12 basic ha of land or less. At least twenty percent of project funds would be earmarked for the use of approximately 2,500 minifundistas owning only five basic ha of land or less; (ii) to an estimated 500 medium-sized farmers and ranchers; and (iii) to some 80 agro-industries. The long-term credit provided under the project would finance on-farm improvements in the fruits, vineyards, beef, sheep and diary products fields as well as the installation, modernization or expansion of related agro-industrial facilities.

The project Power Project (06) is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project Power Project (06) is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The proposed project's objective is to help restore reliable electric service in Chile. The project consists of a variety of items including: (i) improvements in ENDESA's transmission and distribution network to correct overloads and to meet expected growth in demand; (ii) the purchase of equipment (a) to maintain ENDESA's facilities and do specialized construction work; (b) to carry out studies aimed at identifying and preparing future projects; and (c) to place out-moded or worn out equipment at ENDESA's general offices; (iii) installation of a modern load dispatching/telecommunications system which would enable ENDESA to operate more efficiently the CIS and to respond quickly to problem situations which occur; (iv) spare parts to keep up existing hydro and thermal plants; (v) installation of new generating equipment or the conversion of existing units to enable them to burn cheaper fuels. This is needed to overcome inefficient operating conditions in isolated areas; and (vi) consulting services to help prepare future projects.