Private activity in transport declined for the third consecutive year in developing countries. Investments fell by 20 percent and the number of projects dropped by 19 percent in 2009 compared with 2008, according to recently released data from the Private Participation in Infrastructure...

In the first semester of 2011, three new projects reached financial closure in the International Development Association (IDA) countries of Lao PDR, Malawi and Zambia, representing investment commitments of US$1.042 billion. Investment in the first semester of 2011 decreased by 39 percent...

In the first semester of 2011, three new projects reached financial closure in Sub-Saharan Africa, representing investment commitments of US$697 million. Investment in the first semester of 2011 increased by 27 percent compared with the first semester of 2010, and has risen steadily since the...

In the first semester of 2011, 34 new transport projects with private participation reached financial or contractual closure in nine low- and middle-income countries, involving investment commitments (hereafter investments) of US$17 billion.1 Investment in the first semester of 2011 increased by...

The debate on whether natural disasters cause significant macroeconomic impacts and indeed hinder development is ongoing. Most analyses along these lines have focused on impacts on gross domestic product. This paper looks beyond this standard national accounting aggregate, and examines whether...

East Asia has experienced a dramatic decrease in output growth volatility over the past 20 years. This is good news, as output growth volatility affects poor households because of coping strategies that have long-term, harmful consequences, and the overall economy through its negative impact on...