Finance & Economics | WPN World People News

British Horseracing will benefit from mandatory contributions from all major gambling businesses that take bets on the sport in this country, UK Sports Minister Tracey Crouch announced on 14 January.

As many low-income developing countries (LIDCs) continue to struggle with low commodity prices, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board discussed the unique policy issues these countries face, identified financial sector stress and infrastructure deficiencies as priorities to be addressed, and noted the importance of collaborative engagement with affected countries.

Increased productivity and greater investment in human capital and services are essential to achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth to benefit all of Russia’s citizens, says the World Bank Group’s Systematic Country Diagnostic for the Russian Federation, “Pathways to Inclusive Growth” launched at the 2017 Gaidar Forum, on January 12.

On January 6, 2017, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation discussions with Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) , and considered and endorsed the staff appraisal without a meeting on a lapse-of-time basis.

The World Bank Board of Directors on January 11, approved a US$ 45 million loan to strengthen the science, technology and innovation (STI) system in Peru, which will help improve the productivity of companies by innovating processes and products.

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Januray 11, completed the fourth and fifth reviews under the Extended Fund Facility arrangement (EFF) with Seychelles. The completion of the reviews enables a disbursement of SDR3.27 million (about US$4.4 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to SDR 9.81 million (about US$13.2 million).

The World Bank Board of Directors on January 11 approved a US$40 million loan to improve environmental control in Peru. The financing will seek to enhance and expand environmental quality services, including environmental monitoring and the dissemination of information regarding its benefits.

Alain Lamassoure

The World Bank Board of Directors on January 11 approved a US$ 230 million loan to finance the paving of the highway between San Ignacio de Velasco and San José de Chiquitos. This project will improve accessibility and connectivity and reduce transport times and costs for nearly 125,000 inhabitants of the region and other users of the route. This section of the road forms part of the Chile-Bolivia-Brazil Bi-Oceanic Corridor.