Download or read book Trade and Cost Competitiveness in the Czech Republic Hungary Poland and Slovenia written by Peter Havlik and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2000-01-01 with total page 80 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Although the four countries considered in this study are the most developed transition countries in Europe, their average wages are only a fraction of West European levels. While the labor costs would theoretically give the Central and Eastern European (CEEC) countries an advantage, capital shortages and the lack of skills required for a market economy prevent its use. The report was prepared under the auspices of the World Bank by Peter Havlik, Deputy Director of the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (WIIW). This report reviews wage and labor productivity developments and examines the evolution of export competitiveness. It also summarizes the main findings from the ongoing research by WIIW on the impact of foreign direct investment on restructuring and provides some policy recommendations.
Download or read book Institutional Environment and Public Officials Performance in Guyana written by Ömer Gökçeku? and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2001-01-01 with total page 92 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report presents the findings of a survey of public officials in Guyana, on a wide range of civil service issues from personnel management practices to rewards and disciplinary action, and from budget environment to corruption. The objective of the study is to draw conclusions about those institutional weaknesses that should be the immediate target for reform.
Download or read book Utility Pricing and the Poor written by Julian A. Lampietti and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2001-01-01 with total page 56 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'Utility Pricing and the Poor' evaluates the 1999 electricity tariff increase and the potential for improved water-sector cost recovery, with a particular focus on service accessibility and affordability for the poor. A two-stage approach is recommended. In the first stage, revenues should be increased by ensuring payment from households that have reliable service but are not paying their bills. After collection capacity is strengthened, the utility should implement a program of tariff adjustment, based on improved service and meter-based billing.
Download or read book The Current Regulatory Framework Governing Business in Bulgaria written by Thomas O'Brien and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2001-01-01 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This technical paper outlines the key elements of the regulatory environment for business in Bulgaria. Its eight chapters are based largely on a review of Bulgarian legislation and regulations, in effect in the second half of the year 2000. In Bulgaria, there have been many positive economic developments in recent years. By describing and enhancing the understanding of the regulatory framework, this paper aims to help bring about further improvements in the years ahead.
Download or read book Does Eurosclerosis Matter written by Michelle Riboud and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2002 with total page 74 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Whether or not labor market rigidities are an important contributor to persistently high levels of unemployment remains at the center of an important debate in Europe. European labor markets are often viewed as rigid and inflexible in opposition to those in North America where legislation is less protective and fosters more mobility. This paper shows that the labor market policies adopted by Central and Eastern European countries, aspiring to join the European Union, do not appear excessively rigid. However, significant and wide- ranging economic reform programs make it difficult to assess the impact of labor market institutions."
Download or read book Structural Reforms in Southeastern Europe Since the Kosovo Conflict written by Daniela Gressani and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2002-01-01 with total page 46 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study examines the progress made by the countries of south-east Europe (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Romania, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) towards implementing structural economic reforms in the three years since the end of the Kosovo conflict, as well as considering the challenges that lie ahead. It discusses four key areas of reform: strengthening public finances and fighting corruption; creating a liberal trade environment; encouraging foreign investment; and fostering the growth of private markets.
Download or read book Poverty in Albania written by Hermine de Soto and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2002-01-01 with total page 156 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Annotation During the ten years of reform, Albania has been buffeted by set backs which led fully 40% of respondents to indicate that socioeconomic conditions have worsened during that period. While informal coping mechanisms have been developed in many communities, these are under stress and threaten to give way.
Download or read book Forestry in the Middle East and North Africa written by Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2002-01-01 with total page 68 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Annotation This book details the World Bank assisted forestry projects implemented in the MENA region over the last ten years. It contains a definition of forests in the region and describes their current status.
Download or read book Forest Concession Policies and Revenue Systems written by John Andrew Gray and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2002-01-01 with total page 126 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Forest concessions have been an important element of forestry and forest management in many countries, including developing countries. However, if sustainable management of tropical forests is to be achieved and deforestation brought under control, the allocation, management, and supervision of forest concessions will need to be strengthened. This study examines the failures of forest concessions over the last 20 years, and highlights the potential gains resulting from concentrating on improving procedures, introducing performance incentives, and monitoring key performance elements.
Download or read book Improving Rural Mobility written by Paul Starkey and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2002-01-01 with total page 74 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Many inhabitants of rural areas in developing countries lack adequate and affordable access to transport infrastructure services, and this lack of transport opportunities constrains economic and social development. This report looks at the role of rural transport in reducing poverty and considers a range of issues affecting rural mobility including costs, stakeholders involved, population densities and competing services. It examines policies for promoting rural mobility including financial and regulatory considerations.
Download or read book Sustainable Amazon written by Robert R. Schneider and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2002 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Annotation This report adds to the discussion of land use in the Brazilian Amazon. It analyzes the harmful effects of increasing levels of rainfall on agricultural settlement and productivity.
Download or read book Institutional Elements of Tax Design and Reform written by John McLaren and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2003 with total page 180 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Breathing Clean written by Masami Kojima and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2001-01-01 with total page 64 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Because evidence that shows that diesel fumes are more toxic than was previously thought, there has been increased interest in the use of natural gas for vehicles operating in cities. Transit buses, traditionally fueled by diesel, are one of the cheapest forms of mass transit. They are also significant polluters and typically operate in heavily congested urban areas, where significant air pollution problems exist. The report provides an overview of the issues that must be considered when evaluating natural gas an alternative to diesel for use in transit buses.
Download or read book Coping With the Cold written by Julian A. Lampietti and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2002 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Institutional Reform for Irrigation and Drainage written by Fernando J. Gonzalez and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2002-01-01 with total page 188 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: If sustainable management of tropical forests is to be accomplished and deforestation brought under control, the on-the-ground performance of existing forest concessions, along with the allocation of new concessions, will have to be strengthened. This study examines the failures of forest concessions and the loss of tropical forests due to mismanagement during the last two decades. It also emphasizes the potential gains resulting from strengthening the allocation, management, and supervision of concessions by concentrating on improving procedures, introducing performance incentives, and monitoring key performance elements
Download or read book Urban Air Quality Management written by Masami Kojima and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2001-01-01 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book details the context within which policy decisions and objectives for the property tax system are made in the transitional economies of Central and Eastern Europe. It shows how these policy decisions evolve as a part of the transitional reforms still in process. This book offers the chance to review the experiences of transitional countries in initiating and implementing fiscal instruments during a decade of enormous transformations. The research for the case studies, included in this book, was sponsored by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.
Download or read book Generating public sector resources to finance sustainable development written by Stefano Pagiola and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2002 with total page 148 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Annotation This specific objective of this book is to explore potential avenues for generating more resources for the public sector to invest in sustainable development.
