World Bank Technical Paper: Europe & Central Asia Poverty Reduction & Economic Management
5 primary works • 10 total works
Book 435
This study is the first of a three-stage research program that aims to investigate institutional arrangements for local and regional capital investment in selected CEECs and assess whether these arrangements provide appropriate signals to economic agents with regard to EU accession. This publication is a Technical Paper sponsored by the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Network of the World Bank's Europe and Central Asia Division. It is part of a comprehensive series regarding the many important factors that influence European Union (EU) accession in the Central and East European countries (CEEC). The topics in the series cover both the social and economic aspects of accession across a broad range of sectors. The series also provides background information for specific acceding countries. These publications will be of interest to EU member and candidate countries, their ministries, and any one studying the accession issue.
Book 471
Dismantling Russia's Nonpayments System
by Brian Pinto, Vladimir Drebentsov, Alexander Morozov, and World Bank
Published 19 June 2000
One question preoccupies many scholars and practitioners: How can economic growth in the Russian Federation be reinvigorated? This report contributes to the current debate. Nonpayments in Russia evolved into a complex, inter-linked system over the latter half of the 1990s, becoming one of the most critical issues facing policymakers. This paper analyzes this system, including its origins, its evolution, the factors that now perpetuate it, and its costs, and identifies a minimum set of economic reforms needed to dismantle it. The paper also proposes answers to key questions about nonpayments, including: - How has its course been influenced by government policy at the federal and subnational levels? - What are the links with macroeconomic policy? - What is the role of the energy sector, and how has the system affected the way businesses operate? - What are the implications for economic growth? - How indeed, as part of Russia's transition to a monetized, market economy, did the nonpayments system come to exert a stranglehold on virtually every aspect of the economy? This report will be of interest to policymakers and economists interested in transition economies.
Book 494
From Transition to EU Accession
by Pietro Garibaldi, Mattia Makovec, Gabriella Stoyanova, and World Bank
Published 1 May 2001
This book studies the Bulgarian labor market with a view to understanding the interactions between the performance of the Bulgarian economy and the functioning of its labor market. It evaluates the position of Bulgaria vis-a-vis compliance with the acquis commentaire, and provides a set of key policy recommendations that may enhance the job creation potential in years to come.
Book 514
European Integration and Income Convergence
by Carmela Martin, Francisco J. Velazquez, Bernard Funck, World Bank, and Francisco J Valazquez
Published 1 August 2001
The main aim of this study is to assess the convergence experience of the four less developed EU members, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and Greece, after joining the EU and in light of recent developments in economic analysis. It also explores what conclusions can be drawn from these experiences that may be useful to Central and Eastern European candidates.
Book 533
In the pre-accession economic programmes, most Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) have put forward medium-term fiscal strategies to improve budget balances and cut back taxation levels. It will also be necessary, however, to bring down public expenditure by an average of 2.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) over the period 2000-2004. The purpose of this report is to take stock of expenditure policy reform to-date, assess the challenges ahead, and discuss the set of policies that might be most conducive to growth and convergence among the Central and Eastern European countries. The text is organized by expenditure challenges, including: liquidating the legacy of transition by containing and financing the costs of bank and enterprise restructuring; helping economies rise to the challenges of integration by upgrading skills levels, environmental standards, and transport networks; and providing social protection to an ageing population in an affordable manner, particularly in the key areas of pensions and health.
Finally the report makes recommendations for ways to curb expenditures and ways in which key expenditure programmes (such as on education, transport, and the environment) could be redirected to be more supportive.
Finally the report makes recommendations for ways to curb expenditures and ways in which key expenditure programmes (such as on education, transport, and the environment) could be redirected to be more supportive.
As the ongoing political and economic transition in the Central and Eastern Europe countries (CEE) moves into the next century, the most advanced countries in the region are preparing to deal with their prospective entry into the European Union. More a process than an event, joining the EU is likely to place heightened demands on public administrations throughout the region. To assist these countries with their efforts, the Bank conducted a study of the regions. The results of that study are included in this volume. 'Ready for Europe' specifies and clarifies the administrative requirements of accession. The author uses in-depth case studies for three pre-accession countries, Estonia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic to make these specifications. The book defines the performance level countries will need to attain for a range of administrative tasks so the countries may reach a minimal threshold for EU membership. It applies selected standards to determine each country's readiness for accession and for the longer-term transition agenda. The author focuses on these three critical areas of administrative performance in the context of EU accession: - How advanced is the development of a politically neutral, professional human resource cadre in the civil service? - Do countries have the necessary institutional infrastructure at the government's core (that is, cabinet level) to formulate and coordinate policymaking in an efficient and democratic manner? - How well are the dedicated institutional structures and processes established to shepherd countries through the accession process working?
The Current Regulatory Framework Governing Business in Bulgaria
by Thomas J. O'Brien, Christian Filipov, and World Bank
Published 1 July 2001
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.
No. 440.
This study emerges from discussions with representatives of the World Bank and high-level representatives of government and the telecommunications services industry in Hungary, Estonia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Hungary. It considers the problems inherent with the liberalization of the telecom sector. This publication is a Technical Paper sponsored by the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Network of the World Bank's Europe and Central Asia Division. It is part of a comprehensive series regarding the many important factors that influence European Union (EU) accession in the Central and East European countries (CEEC). The topics in the series cover both the social and economic aspects of accession across a broad range of sectors. The series also provides background information for specific acceding countries. These publications will be of interest to EU member and candidate countries, their ministries, and any one studying the accession issue.
Bulgaria is recovering from a severe economic and financial crisis that followed more than five years of macroeconomic mismanagement and timid attempts at restructuring the economy and transitioning from plan to market. The last three years have witnessed a rapid turnaround in achieving macroeconomic stability and implementing a solid economic transformation program. As a candidate country for accession to the European Union (EU), Bulgaria, in the years ahead will need to establish stable, well-regulated and competitive financial markets and institutions. This entails adapting its legislative framework to the norms and standards of the EU. In this context, this paper a. reviews developments in the financial markets after the 1996-97 economic and financial collapse; b. assesses where the sector stands in restructuring, adjusting to a currency board environment, and harmonizing its regulatory framework with the EU; and c. identifies the key outstanding financial sector policy issues to consider while meeting EU accession objectives.
Managing Catastrophic Disaster Risks Using Alternative Risk Financing and Pooled Insurance Structures
by John D. Pollner and World Bank
Published 31 July 2001
This report examines the existing constraints and opportunities to implement a catastrophe insurance system which can resolve the key obstacles currently impeding broader implementation of a risk funding approach. The four main pillars in such a strategy involve: strengthening the insurance sector regulatory requirements and supervision; establishment of broad based pooled catastrophe funding structures with efficient risk transfer tools; promoting public insurance policies linked to programs for loss reduction in the uninsured sectors; and strengthening the risk assessment and enforcement of structural measures such as zoning and building code compliance.