World Bank Blog Post
Submitted by Berk Ozler
Monthly Archives: July 2016
New country classifications by income level
Each year on July 1, the analytical classification of the world’s economies based on 
estimates of gross national income (GNI) per capita for the previous year is revised. As of 1 July 2016, low-income economies are defined as those with a GNI per capita, calculated using the World Bank Atlas method, of $1,025 or less in 2015; lower middle-income economies are those with a GNI per capita between $1,026 and $4,035; upper middle-income economies are those with a GNI per capita between $4,036 and $12,475; high-income economies are those with a GNI per capita of $12,476 or more. The updated GNI per capita estimates are also used as input to the World Bank’s operational guidelines that determines lending eligibility.
eC2: GAFSP PrSW Cameroon Evaluation – Phase I Baseline
Deadline: 21-Jul-2016 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)
IFC is looking for an experienced firm specialized in impact evaluations to conduct the baseline of an impact evaluation of IFC and GAFSP (Global Agriculture and Food Security Program) invested projects in Cameroon. The IFC projects are part of a joint World Bank/IFC initiative consisting of a comprehensive public-private partnership to support the vertical integration of producer organizations (POs) of cassava, maize, and sorghum into the value chain of commercial agribusiness off-takers. IFC and GAFSP investments facilitate the critical links to private banks and to the private sector by providing risk sharing facility (RSFs) and/or loans to participating financial institutions. The evaluation is to measure impact of the projects on yields, farmer income, poverty, food security and women.
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Connecting to Compete 2016: Trade Logistics in the Global Economy
WASHINGTON, June 28, 2016—Did you know that 94% of shipments imported into 
Germany meet the quality standards of global logistics operators, compared to only 40% in Bolivia? Or that importing goods into Georgia requires traders to deal with just one agency, but in Madagascar, traders must deal with 10?
All of these issues, and more, are captured under the broad category of logistics – the methods and procedures a country uses to move goods across borders. Infrastructure, procedures, regulations, geographic characteristics and even political economy issues all play a role in defining the strength of a country’s logistics.
Upcoming Smart City Events
July 10-14, Singapore
The World Cities Summit 2016 will explore how cities can better govern and build up resilience through policy, technology and social innovations. With active engagement, there will be more opportunities for the public, private and people sectors to co-create innovative and integrated urban solutions for a more livable and sustainable future. Click here.
July 12, IDB HQ, Washington D.C.
International Experts at Migrating from a Traditional City Management to a Smart City Management seminar will present specific “Smart City” Case Studies from Rio de Janeiro, Medellin, Singapore, Tel Aviv, Songdo, Orlando, among others. “The Road Towards Smart Cities”, a publication that proposes a roadmap for carrying out this transformation, will be launched and private sector partners will present innovative solutions and successful implementation of “Smart City” solutions. Click here.
Innovative Procurement Practices Help Dairy Sector in India
India is the world’s largest producer as well as consumer of milk and milk products. India nevertheless faces a shortage of milk and milk products due to increasing demand from the fast growing middle class in the country.
The National Dairy Plan Phase I (NDP-I), a Central Sector Scheme of the Government of India, which is supported by National Dairy Support Project (NDSP), aim to increase milk productivity and market access for milk producers, which are both necessary to meet the growing demand for milk. NDP-I is being implemented with a total investment of about US$350 Million, out of which the Bank has extended a Credit of US$219 Million through the NDSP.
WBG News: Vietnam’s Climate Change and Green Growth Agenda Receives $90 million Boost
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 24, 2016 – The World Bank will help Vietnam strengthen its 
climate change and green growth agenda with a US$90 million credit for policy reforms aligned with the World Bank Group’s Climate Change Action Plan.
The Climate Change and Green Growth Development Policy Financing, approved today, along with the recently approved Mekong Delta Integrated Climate Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods Project, marks a new phase in World Bank support as Vietnam continues to focus on inclusive green growth while addressing key climate change vulnerabilities.
World Bank: Climate Change Poses Urgent Threat to Poor of Coastal Bangladesh
World Bank News – Washington, June 24, 2016.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Nearly 12 million people live in poverty in the coastal region of Bangladesh.
- Poor households in coastal Bangladesh will confront increasingly severe challenges from climate change through heightened cyclonic inundation, rising river salinity, and increased soil salinity.
- The World Bank is working with the Government of Bangladesh to enable poor households to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Nearly 12 million people live in poverty in the coastal regions of Bangladesh. The climate already poses a challenge to the lives and livelihoods of these households, seen vividly in the damage caused by Cyclone Roanu a few weeks ago. New projections published by the World Bank suggest climate change will pose an even more severe challenge over the next three decades.
eConsultant2: increasing shareholder participation in renewable energy program
Deadline: 14-Jul-2016 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)
The Government of South Africa seeks an analysis of the options for increasing 
Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Shareholder participation in the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Program (REIPPP) including by improving the accessibility and terms of financing for B-BBEE equity and increasing the ability of B-BBEE shareholders to realize the benefit of their investment. This should include an assessment of the enabling conditions for primary market participation and also the constraints affecting the sale of B-BBEE shareholdings in REIPP projects. The same analysis could also be applied to other (non-renewable) projects procured under the Independent Power Producers Programme of the Department of Energy to the extent the B-BBEE position is similar.
New Procurement Framework effective today!
The World Bank’s new Procurement Framework is effective today, July 1, 2016. Aimed 
at helping countries make the best use of their public spending, the new Framework will enhance the strategic role of procurement in development effectiveness.
“The new Procurement Framework reflects the views, knowledge, and expertise of a wide range of stakeholders from across the globe. The Bank can now offer a more modern and nimble procurement system to help promote sustainable development,” said Hart Schafer, World Bank Vice President for Operations Policy and Country Services.
Netherlands for the World Bank 
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