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August 1, 2007
HIGHLIGHTS FULL CONTENTS 
 Asia-Pacific the First Destination of New World Bank President
The Bank’s new President, Robert B. Zoellick, embarks this week on his first official trip. He will visit: Australia to attend the meeting of APEC Finance Ministers, so he can gain insights from officials across the Asia Pacific, while also meeting Australian leaders; Cambodia and Vietnam, where he will join local Bank staff to see first hand the challenges facing two countries at very different stages of development; and Japan, for talks with a major shareholder and host of the G8 next year. The trip complements a visit that Zoellick made last month to Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and Latin America, as a nominee to the Bank post, to listen and learn how the Bank can play a more effective role in promoting global development.
Also: Transcript of Zoellick Press Conference on the Trip | Previously: President Zoellick Talks About Bank’s Challenges
Erosion Threatens Thai Marine Environment
Urban and industrial as well as tourism development has put Thailand’s marine and coastal resources at risk. To protect these resources, coastal economic development must be combined with a sustainable management of the natural resources, and constructive cooperation among key stakeholders must be developed, the Bank says in its latest report on Thailand’s environmental challenges. Exploitation of such resources, which have been crucial for economic growth during the past four decades, and coastal erosion have harmed the environment and affected livelihoods along the coastlines, reports the Thailand Environment Monitor.
Bank Report on Governance Shows Some Progress
A Bank report shows that a number of countries are making progress in improving governance and fighting corruption. The report, “Governance Matters, 2007: Worldwide Governance Indicators 1996-2006,” builds on research on the importance of governance and its impact on development over the past decade. Good governance matters for other human development outcomes such as infant mortality, illiteracy, and inequality, the report says. The authors add that it has also been found to significantly enhance the effectiveness of development assistance in general, and of Bank funded projects in particular.
Also: Indicators Show Indonesia Makes Strong Progress
Indonesia 10 Years After the Crisis
After a decade of successful macroeconomic management, radical decentralization and bold policy decisions, Indonesia has returned to a position of fiscal strength following the ’97 financial crisis. National debt has declined from 100% of GDP in ‘99 to 40.8 percent in ’06. Since 2006, Indonesia has freed up US$15 billion for development, equivalent to around 7 percent of GDP. This is the largest increase in additional fiscal resources since the 1973-74 oil revenue wind fall, providing the country with a tremendous opportunity to upgrade its public services.
Also:
Seminar in Washington
Indonesia at a Glance – new data and statistics on socio-economic indicators and trade (1.7 mb pdf)
Factsheet on Indonesia's Debt
FAQ on lending in Indonesia Thailand 10 Years after the Asian Economic Crisis
In the decade since the 1997 financial crisis, Thailand has become wealthier and has fewer poor people. The nation has become more integrated into the global economy while being less vulnerable to external economic shocks. However, Thailand now faces new challenges which stem in part from its recent success. The policies which sustained strong growth for more than four decades – raising Thailand from lower to middle income - and ensured recovery from the crisis will not be sufficient to continue that strong growth in future.
Helping China's Private Sector Reach New Areas
The International Finance Corporation is helping China's private sector extend its reach in underdeveloped regions and new sectors. It uses a combination of investments and advisory services to support private sector development in the country. Since 1985, IFC has made investments in more than 120 private sector companies in China, and this is one of the fastest-growing countries in its portfolio. A key part of the strategy in the country includes addressing regional imbalances by supporting rural and underserved areas. IFC is also enhancing the sustainability performance of the emerging private sector by introducing international best practices. Key areas include environmental impact, labor conditions, health and safety standards, energy efficiency, and corporate governance.
Seeking Ways to Achieve Better Road Safety in Vietnam
A workshop to introduce international experiences in the institutional arrangements for traffic safety and discuss their applications in the Vietnamese context was held in Hanoi. The work shop, under the theme “New Approaches to Institutional Arrangements and Management of Traffic Safety”, was organized by the Vietnam Road Safety Project, a US$31.7 million project implemented by the National Traffic Safety Committee with financial support from the Bank.
Outgoing Philippines Country Director Cites Progress and Reforms in the Department of Education
Outgoing World Bank Country Director, Joachim von Amsberg, cited the reform progress in the Department of Education (DepEd) that have brought gains to the Philippine Government and the millions of Filipino schoolchildren. Mr. von Amsberg met with Secretary Jesli Lapus and other DepEd officials before leaving for his new post as World Bank Country Director for Indonesia.
Also:
Interview with Joachim von Amsberg upon his arrival in Indonesia More Bank news at www.worldbank.org/news Back to top
Improving Social Services in the Pacific Islands
A new report on Human Development in the Pacific Islands concludes that the countries’ rapid progress in health, education and social protection has slowed and calls on both governments and donors to adopt new policy and budgetary frameworks to help reverse this situation. The report “Opportunities to Improve Social Services – Human Development in the Pacific Islands” covers nine countries in the Pacific – Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Palau, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands – and the three sectors of education, health and social protection.
Also: Slideshow Back to top Aceh Flood: Damage and Loss Asessment (2.2mb pdf)
The December 2006 floods caused significant damage and displacement, deepening Aceh's development challenges Rethinking the Delivery of Infrastructure Services in Mongolia
A Bank publication says that over the past 10 years, Mongolia has shifted from a plan-based state economy to one in which private sector competition drives significant growth. Within infrastructure, considerable progress in rollout has been supported by a sector investment rate as high as 10 percent of GDP. As a result, the country has moved from a situation of isolation and limited utility access to spreading the benefits and quality of network connectivity.
More Bank publications and reports at www.worldbank.org/reference
Back to top
Call for Proposals: Grant Facility for Peace and Development in Mindanao, Philippines
The Facility invites applications from Mindanao organizations for grants to fund projects, innovative approaches and partnerships that promote peace and development in conflict-affected areas in a number of thematic areas. The deadline for the current round of proposals is September 1, 2007. Guarantees for Waste and Water Treatment Projects in China
Two Chinese companies received US$34.2 million in guarantee coverage from the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency for three investments in China’s urban solid waste treatment and water supply sectors. With rapid economic and urban development in China, solid waste treatment in large cities has become an increasingly important issue. The MIGA-supported projects break new ground when it comes to handling solid waste in an environmentally sensitive way, while simultaneously capitalizing on the power generation potential of garbage. Approved: CAMBODIA - Rural Investment and Local Governance Additional Financing-
US$36.25million to expand the project support from the current 15 to 23 provinces, provide continuing financing for an additional three years from 2007 – 2009 to the intergovernmental fiscal transfer, the Commune/Sangkat Fund, and facilitate an accelerated increase in the amount of the overall intergovernmental fiscal transfer and related commune allocations.
Press release CAMBODIA - Poverty Reduction and Growth Operation – First Development Policy Grant-
US$15 million to provide support for the implementation of the good governance reform program laid out in the Royal Government of Cambodia's National Strategic Development Plan, 2006-2010. The country assistance strategy for Cambodia, endorsed by the Board in May 2005, follows government's strategy by recognizing governance issues as the primary obstacle to growth, poverty reduction, and aid effectiveness.
Press release | Project details
INDONESIA - Better Education through Reformed Management and Universal Teacher Upgrading Project-
US$86 million to improve the overall quality and performance of teachers through enhancing teachers’ knowledge of subject matter and pedagogical skills in the classroom.
Press release | Project details
VIETNAM - Hanoi Urban Transport Development Project -
US$165 million to increase urban mobility in targeted areas in Hanoi by increasing the use of public transport in two existing and one new corridor; and reducing travel times by all modes of transport between the city center and the west and northwest sections of the city (west of West Lake).
Press release | Project details
New and revised project information documents: Cambodia - Environment and Protected Areas Management
China - Eco-Farming
China - Guizhou Cultural and Natural Heritage Protection and Development
China - Gansu Cultural and Natural Heritage Protection and Development
Philippines - Climate Change Adaptation
Philippines - Bicol Transmission Emergency
Solomon Islands - Rural Development Program
For more information on projects and programs, visit http://www.worldbank.org/projects Back to top 
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
August 9
Global
The annual observance of this International Day recognizes the achievements of the world’s indigenous people, who number more than 370 million and who live in some 70 countries. But it is also a moment to acknowledge the critical challenges they face. The UN says much remains to be done to alleviate the poverty faced by many indigenous people; to protect them against massive violations of human rights; and to safeguard against the discrimination that, for example, forces many indigenous girls to drop out of school.
8th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific
August 19-23
Colombo, Sri Lanka
The 8th edition of this congress will aim, among other objectives, to enhance the local, regional and global response to HIV/AIDS by creating an opportunity to achieve meaningful exchanges of expertise, experiences, advances, lessons learnt, challenges faced and successes achieved in HIV/AIDS program. It will also work to form meaningful and sustainable partnerships between stakeholders at all levels; to showcase achievements and successes and share best practices; and to empower and strengthen political, community and business leadership, adopting a consultative, collaborative and participatory approach.
Operations Officer - Education
World Bank Office in Jakarta, Indonesia
Application deadline: August 22 Working at the Bank
Bank staff work with governments in developing countries around the world, assisting people in all areas of development, from policy and strategic advice to the identification, preparation, appraisal and supervision of development projects. The Bank is always actively involved in financial sector restructuring and regulatory work, continuing to help nations move towards market-based economies through financial sector restructuring, infrastructure development, privatization and regulation.
Special efforts are being made to expand activities in the field of education, such as early childhood development and girls' education. The Bank is deeply committed to anti-corruption initiatives for a better global society. For a full list of open positions and scholarships http://www.worldbank.org/jobs Back to top
 Enterprise Surveys
This Private Sector Development site contains data on the investment climate in 97 countries, based on surveys of almost 60,000 firms. Enterprise surveys measure business perceptions of the investment climate, and can be used to analyze the link to job creation and productivity growth. Benin, Chile, Mauritius, and Morocco have been added to the Enterprise Surveys database. Back to top
10 Things You Never Knew About the World Bank in Thailand Back to top | 
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