Tag Archives: Wereldbank Groep

Dialogue Session visit Gallina Vincelette (Vice President of Operations & Country Services) and Hiba Tahboub (Chief Procurement Officer)

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On Wednesday, November 19th, Gallina Vincelette, Vice President of Operations Policy & Country Services, and Hiba Tahboub, Chief Procurement Officer at the World Bank, visited the Netherlands as part of a three-day tour of Europe, which also included stops in Brussels and Berlin. During their visit to The Hague, TIO at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency hosted a Dialogue Session with 16 representatives from Dutch companies and organizations to discuss recent World Bank procurement reforms, as well as the challenges and opportunities encountered by practitioners. In a lively and open exchange, participants shared their experiences with the Bank’s procurement system and offered practical suggestions for further improvement.

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IFC, EU, and the Netherlands Back Ukraine’s Astarta to Boost Jobs, Agriculture, and the Economy

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  • New $40 million financing package to establish Ukraine’s first soy protein concentrate plant
  • Funds de-risked with guarantees from the EC’s Ukraine Investment Framework and the government of the Netherlands in support of IFC’s Economic Resilience Action (ERA) Program
  • Investment to create jobs, enhance agri-competitiveness, and diversify exports

Kyiv, Ukraine, May 14, 2025—IFC today announced a $40 million investment in Astarta, a leading Ukrainian agricultural group, to support the construction of the country’s first soy protein concentrate plant. The investment is in line with an up to $80 million financing package approved by IFC’s Board of Directors on April 1, 2025. The project is expected to boost employment, enhance agricultural productivity, and drive economic growth.

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Global Suspension & Debarment Directory

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The World Bank Office of Suspension and Debarment (OSD), in collaboration with the Working Group—including partners from the Office of the Sanctions Officer for the Inter-American Development Bank Group, the Government Procurement Law Program at The George Washington University Law School and members of the International Bar Association’s Anti-Corruption Committee—has led the Global Suspension & Debarment Survey and Directory project since 2020. The Directory consolidates comparative, standardized information on how jurisdictions worldwide design and implement suspension, debarment, and other exclusion mechanisms to safeguard public funds and strengthen integrity in public procurement and development finance.

To deepen understanding of the structures and principles underpinning exclusion systems, we invite local experts to participate in the Survey questionnaire. Drawing on data collected through the Suspension & Debarment Survey, the Directory compiles robust, consultative information accessible to a wide range of stakeholders. By presenting comparable profiles of legal frameworks, institutional arrangements, procedures, and outcomes, the Directory serves policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and integrity professionals as a practical reference to inform reform, enhance implementation, and support cross-jurisdictional learning.

Global Suspension & Debarment Directory

“Credit: World Bank Group. All rights reserved”

Unlocking Global International Financial Institution Opportunities: How RVO and the Washington Embassy Support Dutch Business

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Dutch entrepreneurs looking to expand globally through International Financial Institutions (IFIs), the strategic partnership between the RVO Team International Organisations (TIO) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Washington D.C. (WAS) offers a vital support network. TIO serves as the primary point of contact for initial advice on a wide range of institutions—including the IADB, ADB, AfDB, and UN—while the WAS team specializes in providing in-depth guidance for DC-based organizations like the World Bank Group and IADB. Together, they ensure that the Dutch private sector is well-positioned to navigate the complex landscape of international procurement and partnership.

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Publication: Keys to Energy-Efficient Shipping

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Abstract

This report quantifies the extent to which energy efficiency measures can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel costs in global shipping. Drawing on a fleet-wide analysis across key vessel segments (bulk carriers, container ships, and tankers), it assesses the untapped potential of technical and operational efficiency measures through to 2050. Findings show that maximizing energy efficiency can cut global shipping’s GHG emissions by up to about 40% by 2030, exceeding current IMO interim targets, while simultaneously lowering the costs of the energy transition. Roughly half of these potential GHG savings by 2030 pay for themselves, offering savings of up to $220 billion annually in total costs as green fuel supply chains develop, and helping to build resiliency against fuel price volatility and rerouting shocks. The report highlights the role of short-term operational measures (such as forms of port call and speed optimization) and medium-term technical innovations (for example, wind-assisted propulsion) in achieving substantial efficiency gains. It identifies persistent economic, behavioral, and organizational barriers to uptake and illustrates them through deep dives on port call optimization and wind-assisted propulsion, showcasing innovative industry initiatives being applied to overcome these barriers. Finally, the report offers targeted recommendations for policymakers, industry, ports, and financiers to accelerate the adoption of energy efficiency solutions at scale.

“Credit: World Bank Group. All rights reserved”

Promoting Productivity Would Boost GDP and Create More and Better Jobs for Countries in Europe and Central Asia

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WASHINGTON, November 24, 2025—Countries in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) should urgently push to make more efficient use of existing economic assets and invest in the capabilities of its firms and people to unlock faster growth, according to a new World Bank report released today.

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Job Creation Key to Equality and Faster Poverty Reduction in Bangladesh, says World Bank

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DHAKA, November 25, 2025 — Bangladesh reduced poverty significantly between 2010-2022, lifting 34 million people out of poverty while improving living standards and access to essential services like electricity, education, and sanitation, but since 2016, the pace of poverty reduction slowed and economic growth became less inclusive, says a new report launched today.

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Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Agricultural Transformation

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Download report here

This report presents a comprehensive analysis of how AI can be responsibly deployed across agrifood systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries. It provides a roadmap of applications, requirements, and investment priorities focusing on ethical, inclusive, and scalable use.

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Level Up MENA: How digital education and skills are powering the next generation of jobs

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Imagine landing your dream engineering role at one of Silicon Valley’s top technology companies – from your apartment in Riyadh, Cairo, or Beirut. This dream is now within reach for thousands in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), provided they have the right skills.

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Continental Drying: A Threat to Our Common Future

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The world is facing a dangerous decline in freshwater availability. This persistent freshwater loss—known as continental drying— is disrupting jobs, incomes, and ecosystems. By combining satellite data with economic and land-use information, Continental Drying: A Threat to our Common Future, offers new insight into where and why freshwater is disappearing and what can be done.

The report maps global hotspots, quantifies the economic and environmental toll, and outlines a three-pronged strategy—managing demand, augmenting supply, and improving allocation—to tackle the continental drying crisis. Beyond water, addressing trade barriers, investing in education and skills, and expanding access to markets and finance are critical to strengthening jobs and safeguarding livelihoods worldwide.

FULL REPORT

“Credit: World Bank Group. All rights reserved”