Ecuador | World Bank

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

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.

Poverty in Latin America : sources of welfare disparities in ecuador

This paper contributes to the analysis of spatial poverty in Ecuador by deepening the understanding of the constraints faced by the poor in the country through an investigation of the role of portable characteristics (human capital) and geography in explaining welfare. At the national level, the results indicate that these characteristics explain 72 percent of the differences in welfare level between urban and rural areas, while returns to these characteristics account for 28 percent of the difference. Comparing a leading and a lagging region, such as the coast versus the Amazon, the characteristics explain about 90 percent of the welfare differential in urban areas, while the returns explain about 30 percent of the welfare differential in rural areas. Among the characteristics analyzed, education is the most important variable for explaining differences in living conditions between urban and rural areas in Ecuador.

Ecuador - Public Sector Financial Management Project

Ratings for the Public Sector Financial Management Project for Ecuador were as follows: outcomes were moderately unsatisfactory, 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: project implementation was strengthened when there was clear leadership, participation and empowerment by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) authorities and the main users of the financial management processes were present. Empowering authorities and users to define the reforms they needed was a key aspect of successful implementation. A key lesson is that reform ownership by the Government creates a solid basis for project success, even over the medium-term. The preparation of solid analytical work by the Bank provided important elements to encourage the Government to take decisions on the implementation of the new systems and the reform of Project Financial Management (PFM) practices, such as the introduction of the single treasury account. Ongoing technical support from the Bank, particularly in the phase when the new Financial Management Integrated System (e-SIGEF) system was launched (January 2008), provided Government an opportunity to see the Bank's commitment to make the project successful. This lesson is particularly important considering that this was the time when the Government was evaluating and reviewing the role of the Bank in the country and when other projects were canceled. Leveraging cross-regional best practices was a key success factor and the Bank played a key role in bringing together regional government authorities and technical experts as a means to maintain reform momentum.

Ecuador - Second Rural and Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project (PRAGUAS)

Ratings for the Second Rural and Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project (PRAGUAS) for Ecuador were as follows: outcomes were highly unsatisfactory, the risk to development outcome was high, the Bank performance was moderately satisfactory, and the Borrower performance was moderately unsatisfactory. Some lessons learned included: the impact of political transitions on project implementation can be significant, in particular when the new administration disagrees with significant aspects of project objectives and design. The Bank teams must be alert to changes in administration priorities and consider a restructuring of the project early on to make the necessary adjustments if common ground can be found on sound technical principles. This is particularly true in the case of Adaptable Program Loans (APLs) or projects prepared by one administration but implemented by another. In addition, rushing through initial implementation shortly before an administration change, despite allowing for more expedite implementation, poses risks especially when it can be expected that the incoming administration might have different priorities from the one preparing the project. Finally, the Bank should not shy away from sustaining high-level, frank discussions with incoming administrations on the scope and technical principles of on-going or new projects, and consider a mutually agreed cancellation as an acceptable option if no agreement can be found. In the case of a deteriorating project implementation, it is important for the Bank team not to alienate the Borrower's goodwill towards the project. Tradeoffs must be made between the need to maintain or improve the quality of project implementation, and the need to maintain working relationships with the client so as to reduce the risk of having to close a project without the support and engagement of the client.

No more cutting class ? reducing teacher absence and providing incentives for performance

Expanding and improving basic education in developing countries requires, at a minimum, teachers who are present in the classroom and motivated to teach, but this essential input is often missing. This paper describes the findings of a series of recent World Bank and other studies on teacher absence and incentives for performance. Surprise school visits reveal that teachers are absent at high rates in countries such as India, Indonesia, Uganda, Ecuador, and Zambia, reducing the quality of schooling for children, especially in rural, remote, and poor areas. More broadly, poor teacher management and low levels of teacher accountability afflict many developing-country education systems. The paper presents evidence on these shortcomings, but also on the types of incentives, management, and support structures that can improve motivation and performance and reduce avoidable absenteeism. It concludes with policy options for developing countries to explore as they work to meet Education for All goals and improve quality.

Doing business 2010 : Ecuador - 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 Ecuador. 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.

Ecuador - Power and Communication Sectors Modernization and Rural Services Project

Ratings for the Power and Communication Sector Modernization and Rural Services Project (PROMEC's) in Ecuador were as follows: overall outcome of the project was rated moderately satisfactory, risk to development outcome was moderate, and the performance of the Bank and the Borrower were rated as moderately satisfactory. Lessons learned from the project are: 1) the project included a wide range of components that spanned six different implementing agencies. One could argue that this breadth proved unwieldy and made the job of the project unit extremely difficult. It also resulted in delays because of the large number of coordination agreements required. Each change of government necessitated rebuilding relationships and convincing new leadership of the Project's validity. However, on the other hand, the involvement of a large number of implementing agencies that felt that the Project activities were useful meant that the Project had solid and continuous support in the Government; and 2) communication and community participation approach highly beneficial. PROMEC's communication and participation activities were considered by participants to be innovative, important and highly beneficial. The benefits were multiple: (a) helping create awareness of Project activities; (b) building consensus on implementation approaches; (c) building capacity of communities and individuals to participate in design and implementation; and, perhaps most importantly, (d) increasing accountability and transparency of the Project's activities and management to stakeholders. All of these factors contributed to the generally positive perception of the Project.

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

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.

Doing business 2009 : country profile for Ecuador - 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 Ecuador. 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.

Poverty alleviation and child labor

Does child labor decrease as household income rises? This question has important implications for the design of policy on child labor. This paper focuses on a program of unconditional cash transfers in Ecuador. It argues that the effect of a small increase in household income on child labor should be concentrated among children most vulnerable to transitioning from schooling to work. The paper finds support for this hypothesis. Cash transfers have small effects on child time allocation at peak school attendance ages and among children already out of school at baseline, but have large impacts at ages and in groups most likely to leave school and start work. Additional income is associated with a decline in paid work that takes place away from the child's home. Declines in work for pay are associated with increases in school enrollment, especially for girls. Increases in schooling are matched by an increase in education expenditures that appears to absorb most of the cash transfer. However, total household expenditures do not increase with the transfer and appear to fall in households most impacted by the transfer because of the decline in child labor.

Ecuador - National System of Protected Areas Project

Ratings for the National System of Protected Areas Project for Ecuador 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: Business administration and management skills throughout the Patrimony of Protected Areas will increase the ability to deal with pressures on protected areas by extractive industries and other activities and to increase the protected areas' economic and financial potential. Since the initial operation of the global environmental facility (GEF), biodiversity projects have tried to demonstrate the important link between biodiversity conservation and economic development, including improved livelihoods and cost-effectiveness to mainstream conservation in national development planning and economic policies. Effort should continue to actually demonstrate such a linkage through real, replicable initiatives involving populations whose livelihoods mainly and directly depend on the sustainable use of natural resources. The protected areas management plans should become tools not only for planning, but to actually increase overall management efficiency. These plans should permit the establishment of a structure synchronizing actions made within the central ministry of environment (MAE) and within the distinct regions of MAE with the end goal of ensuring an efficient administration of the protected areas. A wider dissemination of the knowledge accumulated though such planning exercises will also help to ensure long-term commitment by key actors.

The impact of cash transfers on school enrollment : evidence from Ecuador

This paper presents evidence about the impact on school enrollment of a program in Ecuador that gives cash transfers to the 40 percent poorest families. The evaluation design consists of a randomized experiment for families around the first quintile of the poverty index and of a regression discontinuity design for families around the second quintile of this index, which is the program's eligibility threshold. This allows us to compare results from two different credible identification methods, and to investigate whether the impact varies with families' poverty level. Around the first quintile of the poverty index the impact is positive while it is equal to zero around the second quintile. This suggests that for the poorest families the program lifts a credit constraint while this is not the case for families close to the eligibility threshold.

Ecuador - Poverty Reduction and Local Rural Development (PROLOCAL) Project

Ratings for the Poverty Reduction and Local Rural Development (PROLOCAL) Project for Ecuador 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. The unexpected lesson was that the productive subprojects dealing with production/marketing chains, irrigation, and resource conservation, which were on a completely separate track from the other components, turned out to have important catalytic effects for capacity building. The very high demand for scarce grant financing overshadowed the interest in capacity building. Nonetheless, there was a catalytic effect on the incentives for cooperation and collective action. Productive subprojects energized the demand for capacity enhancement and in the case of existing but stagnant organizations, provided them with a renewed purpose. The significant lesson is that a well-integrated amalgam of 'hard' and 'soft' resources is needed for effective capacity building. The experience of PROLOCAL calls for a rethinking of how best to provide ongoing technical and institutional support for the organizations that have been launched by a given project intervention toward more solid high performing entities, but need continuous and affordable support. For the future, this points to the creation of central service centers, linked to existing second-level or umbrella associations. Such centers could be financed initially by the project but on a declining share, as the proportion of national and local co-financing increases. In the case of productive enterprise development, as the income of the members grows, the capacity of payment for services increases. The public subsidy portion can be justified as 'software' investments, necessary to ensure the success of the supply of productive infrastructure and inputs.

The project Ozone Depleting Substances Phase-out II Project has changed to Closed

2009-10-01T04:00:00.000Z

The project Ozone Depleting Substances Phase-out II Project has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Chimborazo Natural Resources Management Project (GEF) has changed to Dropped

2009-07-02T04:00:00.000Z

The project Chimborazo Natural Resources Management Project (GEF) has changed to Dropped. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project ECUADOR:ABANICO HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT is now in the pipeline.

2009-05-08T04:00:00.000Z

The project ECUADOR:ABANICO HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Rural and Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project II (PRAGUAS) has changed to Closed

2009-04-01T04:00:00.000Z

The project Rural and Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project II (PRAGUAS) has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The development objective of the Second Rural and Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project is to provide sustainable access to water supply and sanitation (WSS) services for new rural beneficiaries, and promote their effective use, as well as to provide improved and sustainable WSS services to beneficiaries in cantonal capitals. In addition it will promote sustainable solid waste services in cantonal capitals, and, will improve overall sector performance by the national government through the promotion of performance-based investment financing for the urban WSS sector. The first Component - Sector Reform and Institutional Strengthening - will strengthen the capacity of the Sub-Secretariat of Water, Sanitation and Solid Waste (SAPSyRS) as well as other key WSS sector actors such as municipalities, WSS operators, water users associations and others. The Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Component will design and build rural water supply and sanitation systems, train communities, organize water user boards into regional organizations, and finance a nationwide hand-washing campaign. The third Component - Promotion of New Management Models for Water, Sanitation and Solid Waste - will provide technical assistance to help municipalities delegate their water and sanitation services to autonomous operators, and, will develop sustainable arrangements for solid waste services, while providing investment finance to upgrade municipal water, sanitation, and solid waste services. Finally, the Project Administration Component will finance project management activities, as well as a strategic communication program.

The project Public Sector Financial Management Project has changed to Closed

2009-02-28T05:00:00.000Z

The project Public Sector Financial Management Project has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The development objective of the Public Sector Financial Management Project for Ecuador is to improve effectiveness and transparency in financial management in the general government sector; and to contribute to better governance through greater transparency attained by the independent verification of the integrity of government financial reporting. There are six project components. The first finances the completion of the programming, testing, and implementation of the Integrated System of Management and Financial Information (SIGEF GLOBAL); completion of implementation support in Central Ministries for all modules and the provincial offices of the line ministries. The second component expands coverage of SIGEF throughout the public sector, including public universities and municipalities. The third component upgrades SIGEF's technological base by establishing a public data network and converting selected SIGEF services to web-based technology. Component 4 builds external financial audit capacity. Component 5 ensures organizational and functional support for the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) approach, which comprises macroeconomic forecasting and management, budget preparation, and tax administration. The sixth component supports project management, monitoring, supervision, and impact evaluation at the different levels of the system.

The project DropPending-EC-Progr. HD Reform II has changed to Dropped

2008-12-17T05:00:00.000Z

The project DropPending-EC-Progr. HD Reform II has changed to Dropped. 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

Ecuador Project Profiles

2008-11-19T20:42:19.000Z

Below are some of the projects that the Bank has supported in Ecuador.

A comprehensive list of projects can be found on the Projects Database which contains all the relevant documents for all projects for Ecuador approved by the World Bank’s Board of Directors since 1954, including the implementation completion reports.

National System of Protected Areas Project

The 2002-2007 project helped strengthen Ecuador’s National System of Protected Areas by improving the legal, institutional and financial foundations and capacities for the participatory management of protected areas. Among other things, it established a Protected Areas Trust Fund to cover the recurrent costs of six priority protected areas. It designed and implemented management plans for two priority protected areas, the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve and Machalilla National Park. A subsequent audit found outcomes satisfactory.

Additional information:

Approval date: 11-26-2002

Amount: $8 million

Project details and documents

Implementation Completion Report

Poverty Reduction and Local Rural Development Project (PROLOCAL)

Strengthening local empowerment, improving quality of local services, and increasing access to productive assets to improve the well-being of poor households in selected micro-regions are major objectives of PROLOCAL. The project targets 60,000 households where 80 percent of beneficiaries are poor. With local participation, 117 development plans have been designed to help the communities identify their priorities in health, education, environment and communication, as well as to coordinate their efforts to improve their living conditions. A total of 452 productive projects have been launched with technical and financial support from PROLOCAL, providing new jobs and income for more than 56,300 poor households. Capacity building is another achievement with 25,000 people trained in entrepreneurial skills.

Additional information:

Approval Date: 7-5-2001

Amount: $25.2 million

Project details and documents

Implementation Completion Report

The Indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian Peoples Development Project (PRODEPINE)

The project helped to strengthen the capacity of 241 local indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian organizations to participate in the formulation of state policies and in local development projects, and to provide services to their members. The project titled 253,076 hectares of land to the targeted populations. It provided co-funded grants for 654 rural investment subprojects that built classrooms, drinking water systems, irrigation systems, and greenhouses, among others, benefiting 62,644 families in 103 cantons. The project also supported the creation of two national councils (CODENPE and CODAE) to facilitate dialogue between indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian peoples and the Government.

Additional information:

Approval Date: 1-29-1998

Amount: $25 million

Project details and documents

Implementation Completion Report

The Judicial Reform Project (PROJUSTICIA)

The project introduced a case management system in 71 pilot courts in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca. The system helped the courts reduce the overall time to disposition of a case by around 33 percent, to 202 days, and purge an average of 41.5 percent of inactive cases. The achievements of the pilot courts encouraged courts in seven other municipalities to implement similar changes with their own funds. The project also supported a Special Fund for Law and Justice which financed 40 activities with civil society organizations. Under this program, 61,369 people directly benefited from legal services and basic legal education, with another 184,107 indirect beneficiaries. The program directly targeted legal aid for poor women, providing comprehensive legal services to 20,194 women.

Additional information:

Approval date: 7-18-1996

Amount: $10.7 million

Project details and documents

Implementation Completion Report

Agriculture Census and Information System Project

The project improved the availability, consistency, and timeliness of agricultural information in Ecuador. The project boosted Ecuador’s capacity for policy analysis and formulation of sector strategies through commodity-specific Consultative Councils that hold regular dialogues on the most important agricultural commodities, such as bananas, coffee, cocoa, shrimps, flowers, palm oil, and rice. Under the project, a national agricultural sample census was designed, prepared and executed, producing high-quality data that was shared with 13,000 relevant users. The project also enabled the Ministry of Agriculture (MAG) to set up agricultural information and dissemination services, including an award-winning website (www.sica.gov.ec), a database with more than 5,000 subscribers, and weekly radio programs, in Spanish and Kichuwa, from 80 stations reaching 800,000 small producers.

The Agricultural Research Project introduced a competitive system to stimulate high-quality agricultural research which has been adopted by at least five public universities, and increased research quality and capacity in Ecuador’s national agricultural research institute (INIAP). The project also raised awareness in the private sector of the importance of “state of the art” technological research for competitiveness. About 115 principal researchers participated in the project from 43 institutions, both public and private, leading to 13 successful education and research partnerships. During the period of project implementation, national expenditure on agricultural research as a percentage of agricultural GDP increased from 0.09 percent in 1999 to 0.85 percent in 2004.

Additional information:

Approval Date: 1-29-1998

Amount: $20 million

Project details and documents

Implementation Completion Report

Power and Communications Sectors Modernization and Rural Services Project (PROMEC)

The Project supported the Government's efforts to deepen reforms in the telecommunications and electricity sectors, by strengthening regulatory institutions and improving environmental management of the sectors' activities, fostering competition and increasing private participation, promoting efficient use of energy, extending coverage in underserved areas and providing modern information and communication technologies (ICT)-supported services to micro and small businesses (MSBs), and enhancing communication and consultation in the sectors.

Additional information:

Approval Date: 1-20-2001

Amount: $2.84 million

Project details and documents

Irrigation Subsector Technical Assistance Project
Before the project, a decreasing trend in agricultural production in the irrigation systems in Ecuador was observed due to lack of government funds. The project helped reverse this downward trend and as a result the total value of production in the transferred irrigation services grew by an estimated 50 percent in only three years (1998-2001). This was the result of three factors: (i) an improvement in water use efficiency, which allowed for an increase in the irrigated areas, (ii) the introduction of greenhouse cultivation (farming) method with diversification to higher value crops, and (iii) an improvement in production and irrigation practices. The management of irrigation resources became more participatory under the project, since investments needed were decided by the Water User Associations (WUAs) under rigorous economic and technical criteria, procured competitively and implemented efficiently with significant users' participation. In terms of coverage ninety thousand hectares (accounting for almost 55 per cent of public irrigation systems) were brought under WUAs responsibility. This contributed to a 50 percent increase in agricultural production.
Additional information:
Loan amount: US$20 million
Approval: 05/10/1994
Project details

Structural Adjustment Program

This loan helped close the Central Government financing gap, which prevented further deterioration of the economy. Soon after the implementation of the government’s economic and social program, signs of stabilization surfaced. By 2001 and 2002 (consumer price) inflation had dropped to 22.4 and 9.4 percent from 91 percent in 2000, and GDP growth reached 5.6 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively from -6.3 percent in 1999. The loan also contributed to progress in protecting social expenditures and improving coordination of the various social assistance programs. Transfers to social programs reached 126.4 percent with respect to programmed goals and represented 21 percent of the Central Government’s budget (above the 15 percent minimum originally established). For 2002, the budget approved for the overall social sector (which includes education, health, social welfare, labor and housing) accounted for 30 percent of the Central Government’s budget (also above the 20 percent minimum originally agreed). Between February 2001 and December 2002, unemployment declined from a peak of 12.4 percent to 7.7 percent. More notably was an increase in the share of the working population with full time employment which rose from 32.0 percent to 61.6 percent, meanwhile under-employment declined from 55.5 percent to 30.7 percent during the same period.

Additional information:

Amount: US$ 151.52 million

Approval: 06/22/2000

Project details

Implementation Completion Report

International Trade and Integration Project

This project helped prepare Ecuador for the new challenges posed by expanding international trade. Some of the results of the project include the modernization of the country’s trade management capacity through, among others, the establishment of two new agencies: the Foreign Trade and Investment Council (COMEXI), created as a mechanism for inter-institutional coordination and independent trade policy decision-making; and the Export and Investment Promotion Corporation (CORPEI), created to decentralize through a private-public partnership the provision of export development support services. The project supported an export culture program, designed to help expand through awareness and training programs, Ecuador’s export “culture.” By its completion, the program covered 22 provinces of the country through six separate modules and involved the participation of more than 4,000 business people. The centerpiece of the program was a set of workshops providing training for entry level exporting known as “The ABCs of International Trade”, which drew 1,409 participants in 18 separate events. Two more advanced seminar programs were developed and attended by a total of 1,333 business people in 15 cities around Ecuador on “Foreign Commerce for Managers”, and “Foreign Commerce for Small Business”. An adaptation of the ABCs program was given to business groups of Indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian peoples to help them build links to the local export community.

Additional information:

Amount: US$21 million

Approval: 06/11/1998

Project details

Implementation Completion Report

Health Services Modernization Project

This project supported the expansion of coverage of the Decentralized (Provincial/Municipal) Health Care Networks (DHCNs) and hospitals included in the project to about 1.6 million persons by 2004 (based on the 2001 census). Infant mortality improved from 27.6 per 1,000 live births in 1997 to 18.1 in 2004, representing a reduction of 34.4 percent. Child mortality (under 5) was reduced by 28.8 percent, from 33.7 per 1,000 live births in 1997 to 24.0 in 2004. According to the Endemain survey, conducted every five years, maternal mortality (per 100,000 live births) improved from an average of 159 for the period 1988-1994 to 107 for the period 1999-2004, representing a reduction of 33 percent. It should be noted that many factors in addition to the Project might have contributed to these improvements. Maternal and child care services provided by the nine DHCNs and eight hospitals included in the project had increased by 29 percent by 2004. The eight hospitals also increased the provision of services in surgery by 35 percent and in birth deliveries by 18 percent.

Additional information:

Amount: US$45.0 million

Approval date: 06/09/1998

Project details

Implementation Completion Report

Mining Development and Environmental Control Technical Assistance Project

This project established a modern regulatory framework for the Ecuadorean mining sector and strengthened and restructured the public mining institutions. It made significant contributions in several areas: documenting the extent and impact of pollution created by artisanal and small-scale mining; increasing local awareness of environmental degradation; mobilizing affected communities; promoting less-polluting technologies and organizational models; implementing a demonstration common liquid effluent settling pond; and proposing comprehensive management plans in the two most critical areas.

Additional information:

Approval Date: 10-21-1993

Amount: US$11 million

Project details

Inspection Panel Report

Debt and Debt Service Reduction Loan

This loan supported the implementation of a debt agreement between Ecuador and its commercial bank creditors on the restructuring of about US$8 billion in public external debt to US$2,767 million, or 39 percent of the eligible debt; the normalization of relations with external creditors, improving the country's ability to attract capital; and the improvement in the continuity and sustainability of macroeconomic policies, particularly fiscal balances.

Additional information:

Approval Date: 12/13/1994

Amount: US$80 million

Project details

Public Enterprise Reform Technical Assistance Loan (PERTAL)

This project provided technical assistance to help modernize the structure of the enterprises in the electricity and telecommunications sectors and create the regulatory and enforcement institutions for applying the new legal and regulatory frameworks. The Project was instrumental in achieving the successful segmentation and corporatization of the Ecuadorian Electrification Institute (INECEL) and operation of the successor companies for electricity generation and transmission. In the electricity sector, the achievements included the creation of the Electricity Regulatory Office (CONELEC) as the planning, regulatory, and supervisory entity of the sector, and the Central Electricity Dispatch Authority (CENACE) as the autonomous technical and commercial administrator of the wholesale electricity market as well as the coordinator for operating the national electricity transmission system.

Additional information:

Approval Date: 12/13/1994

Amount: $12 million

Project details

Modernization of the State Technical Assistance Project

This project supported the modernization and strengthening of Ecuador’s public sector financial management through, among others, the design and implementation of standardized financial management tools that integrated the processes of planning, budgeting, accounting and cash management. All these systems and procedures have helped ensure reliability and transparency, and have improved timely data provision for decision-making. One of the most important outcomes of the project was the restructuring of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) to lead the fiscal and macroeconomic policies of the country and streamline procedures and provide autonomy in tax collection to the Internal Revenue Service (SRI); and to give control and operation of customs to the Ecuadorian Customs Corporation (CAE). The creation of SRI and its sound management contributed significantly to the improvement of tax collection observed in the years that followed. The Project also laid the basis for e-government, helping provide the public with information on governmental institutions' financial reports, budget formulation and budget execution. The e-government effort will eventually ensure the transparency of the Government activities in financial management and planning.

Additional information:

Approval Date: 12/13/1994

Amount: $20 million

Project details

Last updated: November, 2008.

The project Galapagos and Ecuadorian Coast Natural Resources Management has changed to Dropped

2008-10-28T04:00:00.000Z

The project Galapagos and Ecuadorian Coast Natural Resources Management has changed to Dropped. 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 Disaster Risk Reduciton Prog for the Municipalities of Quito is now in the pipeline.

2008-10-07T04:00:00.000Z

The project Disaster Risk Reduciton Prog for the Municipalities of Quito is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Power and Communications Sectors Modernization and Rural Services Project (PROMEC) has changed to Closed

2008-07-06T04:00:00.000Z

The project Power and Communications Sectors Modernization and Rural Services Project (PROMEC) has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Power and Communications Sectors Modernization and Rural Services Project aims at deepening reforms in the telecommunications, and electricity sectors, by strengthening regulatory institutions, and improving environmental management of the sectors' activities, fostering competition, and increasing private participation, promoting efficient use of energy, and providing new information and communication technologies (IT) to support services to micro, and small businesses. The components will: 1) strengthen the legal and regulatory frameworks in telecommunications, and electricity. Public consultations, and dissemination of regulatory decisions will be undertaken to supervise, and strengthen the Telecommunications Agency (SUPTEL), while software programs, and equipment will be financed, and a telecommunications tariff rebalancing plan prepared. Electricity regulations of the National Council of Electricity will be completed, including strengthening its institutional capacity, and monitoring criteria, and that of other sector institutions. Selected energy, and tariff studies will support these activities; 2) extend services to low income groups, and small businesses in peri-urban areas, by developing pilot projects, an electrification strategy (both grid-extension and off-grid), revising IT regulations, and, developing IT access in marginal urban, and rural areas; 3) design, and implement a program to promote the use, and conservation of electricity, to include tariff incentives, standards for efficient electrical appliances, public information, and, market assessment, and training to local energy service companies; and, 4) finance project management, consultation, and communications activities to provide support to implementing agencies, and the private sector.

The project Power and Communications Sectors Modernization and Rural Services Project - PROMEC has changed to Closed

2008-07-06T04:00:00.000Z

The project Power and Communications Sectors Modernization and Rural Services Project - PROMEC has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Second Rural Poverty Alleviation and Local Development Project has changed to Dropped

2008-06-02T04:00:00.000Z

The project Second Rural Poverty Alleviation and Local Development Project has changed to Dropped. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

Climate Change: WB Announces Adaptation Program for Glacier Retreat In The Andes

2008-05-29T23:45:00.000Z

Contacts:

In Lima– Sandra Arzubiaga (511) 615-0660
sarzubiaga@worldbank.org

In La Paz: Rafael Archondo (591-2) 215-3347

rarchondo@worldbank.org

In Washington- Stevan Jackson +1 202 458-5054

sjackson@worldbank.org

Lima, May 29, 2008 –The World Bank announced today a new program to address the impact of tropical glacier retreat in Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador. The program, supported by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), will grant US$7.49 million to implement a set of adaptation actions to face the threats posed by climate change in the Andes. The project totals US$ 33 million and draws from several donors.

The new Adaptation to the Impact of Rapid Glacier Retreat in the Tropical Andes Project (Andes Region Project) in Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador targets mountainous and glacial areas.

“Climate change will heavily impact Andean countries’ economies, particularly the poor. Adapting to climate change is crucial given the severe and irreversible effects it will have on the region,” stated Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, World Bank director for Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, during the project launch in Lima.

The initiative seeks to strengthen the resilience of local ecosystems and economies affected by rapid tropical glacier retreat by implementing pilot adaptation activities that illustrate the costs and benefits of adaptation alternatives. The project’s specific objectives are:

a) The effective integration of the implications of glacier retreat into regional and local development planning, particularly in glacier basins

b) The inclusion of glacier retreat impacts in local development projects and programs

c) The collection of data on glacier dynamics to improve policy decisions.

“This project will help Andean countries monitor the changes in tropical glaciers and the evolution of mountain wetlands, as well as implement pilot adaptation measures, as a key input for decision-making on how to address the impacts of glacier retreat,” commented Walter Vergara, head of Latin America’s adaptation project portfolio.

This project is part of the World Bank’s strategy to help the regions’ countries face the impacts of climate change. In April, the World Bank signed an agreement with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) giving it access to cutting-edge expertise and information from the Advanced Land Observation Satellite (ALOS). These images and data will support World Bank-sponsored adaptation projects in Colombia, Mexico, the West Indies, and the Andes region of Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. The ALOS images of tropical glaciers in the Andes will be used to assess these glaciers’ dynamics under the project approved today.

To date, World Bank investments in climate change adaptation initiatives in Latin America reach US$90 million.

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For more information on the Adaptation to the Impact of Rapid Glacier Retreat in the Tropical Andes Project, visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?Projectid=P098248&theSitePK=40941&pagePK=64283627&menuPK=228424&piPK=73230

For more information on the World Bank’s work in climate change in Latin America, visit: http://www.bancomundial.org/alc

Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru: Adaptation to the Impact of Rapid Glacier Retreat in the Tropical Andes Project

2008-05-27T21:17:29.000Z

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2008- The following project was approved today by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors:

GEF Trust Fund: US$7.49 million

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This project aims to contribute to strengthening the resilience of local ecosystems and economies to the impacts of glacier retreat in the Tropical Andes, through the implementation of specific pilot adaptation activities that illustrate the costs and benefits of adaptation. The specific objectives of the project, in support of this broad objective, are: a) the

effective integration of the implications of glacier retreat into the regional and local planning in

glacierized basins; b) the inclusion of glacier retreat impacts in local, sector development

projects; and c) generation of data on glacier dynamics.

For more information please callGabriela Aguilar at 202-473-6768 or e-mail 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

The project Ecuador Urban Transportation Project has changed to Dropped

2008-05-12T04:00:00.000Z

The project Ecuador Urban Transportation Project has changed to Dropped. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

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."

Ecuador: $15.3 million World Bank loan benefits rural families

2007-12-07T21:20:17.000Z

Contacts:

In Washington: Gabriela Aguilar (202) 473 6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

In Quito: Paola Vallejo (+593-2) 294 3600

pvallejo@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, December 7^th, 2007 — The World Bank’s Board of Directors approved a $15.3 million loan to the Government of Ecuador to improve irrigation systems and the Chambo and Chanchan-Chimbo roads, in Chimborazo province, with an aim to increase production by rural families and to improve market access.

The Project for Productive Investments in Chimborazo-Ecuador aims to expand the production and market value of the local peasants’ foodstuffs. It is estimated that at the end of the project around 17,500 families will add to their products’ value by 10% and that 15,000 rural families will increase their sales by 5%. The project also aims to increase irrigation efficiency by 30%, both in systems and farms and reduce travel time by 30% through the use of improved roads.

“I want to express my gratitude because a loan requested by responsible local authorities has been approved. The community will benefit and now they will have to make sure that the terms of the loan are executed adequately,” said Fausto Ortiz, Minister of Finance of Ecuador.

The project’s goals and objectives are consistent with Chimborazo province’s “Minga for our lives” development plan, which intends to concentrate development efforts on four pillars: strengthen the environment’s sustainable use; accelerate the local economy and its productivity; improve business processes and to set up a local plan to combat poverty.

“Equitable rural development is vital for Ecuador’s growth. This loan will support the existing provincial government’s efforts to improve living standards and productive processes of Chimborazo peasants, and maximize their contributions to the local economy”, said Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, World Bank Country Director for, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

Among other things, the project will support two key infrastructure designs that play an important role in the local rural economy’s development: improvement and rehabilitation of irrigation systems. Equally, it will rehabilitate the Riobamba-San Luis-Punín-Flores-Cebadas provincial road (approximately 20 miles long) and will optimize the Charicando-San Patricio-La Dolorosa road (15.7 miles long).

Investment in roads and irrigation systems will allow people from the local community better access to urban markets, to increase and diversify their production, particularly fodder, and in that way be able to satisfy the increasing demand in cities for products like milk and meat.

The $15.3 million International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) Loan for Productive Investments in Chimborazo has a reimbursement period of 19 years with a 2-year grace period.

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For more information on the Loan for Productive Investments in Chimborazo, please visit:http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=325116&menuPK=325150&Projectid=P094784

For more information on the World Bank’s work inEcuador, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/ec

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

Ecuador: Chimborazo Development Investment Project

2007-12-06T21:43:11.000Z

WASHINGTON, December 6, 2007 - The following project was approved today by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors:

IBRD Loan: US$15.3Million

TERMS: Maturity=19 years; Grace= 2years

PROJECT DESCRITPION: The objective of the project is to increase production and market access of rural families living in the Chambo and Chanchan-Chimbo river basins within Chimborazo Province, through investments in irrigation and roads improvement. The major outcome indicators are: increased value of production and increased production sales. By the end of the project, approximately 17,500 rural families are expected to have increased their value of production by 10 percent and 15,000 rural families are expected to have increased their sales by 5 percent.

For more information please call

Gabriela Aguilar Martinez (202) 473-6768 or email gaguilar2@worldbank.org

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

The project JSDF Grant: Law and Justice for the Poor (TF051227) is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-27T04:00:00.000Z

The project JSDF Grant: Law and Justice for the Poor (TF051227) is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Reaching the Very Poor through Credit Unions-WOCCU/FFH is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-27T04:00:00.000Z

The project Reaching the Very Poor through Credit Unions-WOCCU/FFH is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Agricultural Census and Information System Technical Assistance (Supplemental) is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project Agricultural Census and Information System Technical Assistance (Supplemental) is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project CHOCO-ANDEAN CORRIDOR PROJECT (GEF-MSP) is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project CHOCO-ANDEAN CORRIDOR PROJECT (GEF-MSP) is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Human Capital Protection Project is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project Human Capital Protection Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project National System of Protected Areas is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project National System of Protected Areas is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The National System of Protected Areas Project is to ensure the conservation and management of Ecuador's biodiversity for socially sustainable development. This project is the first phase of a four-year project. There are four project components. Component 1 aims to consolidate the role of the Directorate of Biodiversity and Protected Areas (DBPA) as the agency responsible for administering the National System of Protected Areas (NSPA). It will develop the regulatory framework to promote participatory management and co-management of PAs in the country.Sub-components include: 1) updating the NSPA strategic plan to coordinate DBAP long-term actions; 2) preparing a financial and managerial system for DBAP and implementing it in nine protected areas; 3) developing a sustainable financial strategy; 4) implementing pilot concessions of services; 5) designing and implementing a training program; 6) strengthening mechanisms for institutional coordination, participation, technical advice, and political support by civil society to manage and consolidate the NSPA; and 7) developing legal instruments. Component 2 promotes participatory management by developing participatory models according to the specific social and political conditions of each area. Component 3 is directed to achieve the consolidation of the Protected Areas Fund (FAP) that operates within the National Environmental Fund of Ecuador. Component 4 establishes a follow-up system to evaluate and monitor implementation.

The project Power and Communications Sectors Modernization and Rural Services Project (PROMEC) is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project Power and Communications Sectors Modernization and Rural Services Project (PROMEC) is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project SECOND INDIGENOUS AND AFROECUADORIAN PEOPLES DEVELOPMENT PROJECT is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project SECOND INDIGENOUS AND AFROECUADORIAN PEOPLES DEVELOPMENT PROJECT is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project aims to promote the empowerment and improved access to natural and financial resources for indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian communities within the framework of their own development. The project has the following five components: Component 1) will benefit indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian membership organizations with the following technical assistance (TA) and training activities: (1) management capacity building; (2) strategic and local participatory development planning; (3) legal, management, and technical training; and (4) equity in gender and generations. Finally, (5) it will provide technical assistance to local governments in order to help them improve their targeting and participatory practices and increase cofinancing of investment subprojects. Component 2) will help target groups improve their human capital as well as their knowledge base and cultural assets, thus contributing to increased incomes. It will include the following activities: (i) a scholarship program for higher education; and (ii) training and technical assistance subprojects for culture-based initiatives in tourism and handicrafts among others. Component 3) will help the target population improve management of natural resources through increased access and control of land, water and other natural resources vital for their livelihood. Component 4) will finance demand-driven small-scale investment subprojects by eligible communities for: (i) investment studies; (ii) social investments; (iii) community productive investments; (iv) and environmental/natural resource management. Component 5) will increase Government of Ecuador's (GOE's) capacity to formulate intercultural policies and programs taking into consideration the concerns of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples.