Monthly Archives: December 2017

When technology meets agriculture in Bhutan

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Bhutan is a challenging environment in which to develop commercial agriculture. The country has limited areas for agriculture, and its geography and road conditions make logistics and market access costly. Therefore, commercial agriculture is critical to increase productivity, which will help create jobs and access to more and better food. This can be achieved not only through focusing on high-value products and investing in traditional infrastructure such as irrigation, but also through using information and communication technology (ICT). Based in eastern Bhutan, Mountain Hazelnuts has developed innovative uses of ICT for its commercial agriculture operations.

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eC2: Resource Efficiency Advisory to Textile Supply Chain Factories

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Deadline: 27-Dec-2017 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)

Objective:  IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development supplychaininstitution focused exclusively on the private sector. Working with private enterprises in about 100 countries, we use our capital, expertise, and influence to help eliminate extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. Addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation are among key missions of IFC.

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ec2: LEBANON OFF-GRID AND SOLAR ENERGY MARKET ASSESSMENT (REFUGEES AND HOST COMMUNITIES)

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Deadline: 13-Jan-2018 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.)

Objective: IFC intends to engage a NGO/INGO or a consulting firm (or a combination thereof which forms a consortium led by one member of the consortium) to undertake a field survey to assess the viability of a potential commercial based market for solar energy solutions for refugees and respective host communities which enables improved access to energy services.

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Climate change: Without urgent action, climate impacts could push an additional 100 million people into poverty by 2030

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Countries and communities around the world are already experiencing stepped-up  climateclimate change impacts – including droughts, floods, more intense and frequent natural disasters, and sea-level rise – and the most vulnerable are being hit the hardest.

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Meet & Greet the Dutch at the World Bank Group: Rosa Keizer (28)

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In order to gain a better idea of how it is like to work at the World Bank Group and how the organization function itself, several Dutch Young Professionals are interviewed at the bank. After the recent interview with Stefan Peuchen, it is now Rosa Keizer’s turn to tell her story on this blog.Rosa.jpg

What is your role within the World Bank?

”As a Young Professional at the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality I had the opportunity to work for both the Dutch Embassy and the World Bank in Washington D.C. My contribution is part of an agreement signed between The Netherlands and the World Bank, where both parties commit to join efforts for increased food security worldwide. My team at the World Bank, with which I work four days a week, is part of the Global Practice Agriculture and is involved in Food Loss and Waste. I spend the remaining day at the Dutch Embassy, briefing with my colleagues involved in the topic and the Dutch ministries. I feel privileged to have this position; by working with two organizations I see my added value in creating synergies which can benefit both the World Bank and the Netherlands.”

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What is so unique about the growth (or decline) of cities in Eastern Europe and Central Asia?

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There are the booming megacities such as Tokyo, Mumbai, and Nairobi. Then there are  cities that are declining in population, such as Detroit. In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where we recently conducted a study on urban growth trends, we found unique demographic patterns affecting the urbanization process in the region. For example, the region has had fertility rates below replacement levels for more than two decades, and most countries in the region have negative net migration rates.

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Stronger Investment and Export Growth Continue to Strengthen Indonesia’s Economy

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JAKARTA, December 14, 2017 — The Indonesian economy continued to expand at a solid pace during the third quarter of 2017 helped by commodity tailwinds and stronger domestic and external demand, according to the World Bank’s December 2017 Indonesia Economic Quarterly.

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Real GDP growth increased from 5.0 percent in the second quarter to 5.1 percent in the third quarter of 2017. Investment growth rose to its highest level in more than four years and foreign direct investment recorded the largest net inflow in more than seven years. Export and import volumes registered double-digit growth for the first time since 2012.

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World Bank Group will no longer finance upstream oil and gas after 2019

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Paris, 12 December, 2017 – At the One Planet Summit convened by President Emmanuel Macron of France, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, and World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, the World Bank Group made a number of new announcements in line with its ongoing support to developing countries for the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement’s goals.

 

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Lessons from the Field: Bangladesh, Mobile Money and Financial Literacy for Women

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MFS-Bangladesh_780x439.pngThe World Bank Group’s (WBG) Universal Financial Access 2020 (UFA2020) envisions that all adults worldwide will have access to a transaction account or an electronic instrument to store money, send payments and receive deposits by 2020.

The lack of financial inclusion is a pressing issue in Bangladesh, and women are disproportionately excluded: only 26% of women have accounts at financial institutions. Mobile financial services (MFS) are well positioned to deliver financial services to segments that can prove prohibitively expensive for banks, such as women in rural areas. Despite the strong growth of the mobile financial services (MFS) market, only 6% of women have MFS accounts.   Continue reading →

Towards a Climate-Smart World: 12 Ways for a Resilient Future

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In early 2016, the Fiji province of Ra was hit by Cyclone Winston, the biggest storm ever cycloon.pngrecorded in the Southern Hemisphere, impacting 62% of the Fiji population and caused F$2 Billion in damage (20% of GDP). It killed 44 people, injured hundreds and left 131,000 people homeless. The Category 5 storm first made landfall in Ra, leaving its communities completely devastated. Cyclone Winston was an example of new enemies facing communities. Enemies that are linked to climate change.

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