Finance & Economics | WPN World People News

Internet use in China’s rural areas lags behind that in cities. While three-fifth of urban Chinese use the Internet, less than a quarter of the rural population do so, and the gap is growing. Access to ICT (information and communication technology) such as the Internet can enhance the lives of rural citizens, provide information about agricultural and off-farm livelihoods, deliver public services, and disseminate educational and health knowledge. According to a new World Bank report, improved coordination and inclusion mechanisms can accelerate ICT usage in Chinese villages and spur transformation of the rural countryside.

A mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led by Mr. Jiro Honda visited the Kingdom of Swaziland during April 28‒May 12, 2014 to conduct the 2014 Article IV consultation with Swaziland.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission comprising Mr. Ananthakrishnan Prasad and Ms. Mariana Colacelli visited Oman to hold a two-day workshop with staff of the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) on May 7-8, 2014, on Oman’s medium-term macroeconomic framework. This workshop was designed to build medium-term projections for Oman’s economy.

Ms. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), made the following statement at the end of her two-day visit to Jordan and the conclusion of the high-level regional conference “Building the Future,” co-hosted by the IMF

The World Bank Group (WBG) is once again demonstrating its commitment to improving governance and fighting corruption in Ukraine. These have been a central part of the WBG’s policy dialogue with the Ukrainian Government and a focus of our Country Partnership Strategy for Ukraine.

Consumer prices, selected areas
March 2014, percentage change on the same month of the previous year

The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors today approved financing of US$300 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and US$50 million from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) for Turkey’s Renewable Energy Integration Project. The project will be implemented by TEIAS, the Turkish electricity transmission company, with a guarantee from the Turkish Treasury.

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved on April 22 a US$15.5 million credit to support the Government of Cabo Verde’s effort to strengthen the country’s macroeconomic resilience to external shocks. The Poverty Reduction Support Credit (PRSC-8) will promote structural reforms that improve competitiveness and productivity to ensure poverty reduction and to boost shared prosperity.

Latvia entered the euro area in January 2014 with the fastest rate of growth in Europe. A slowdown in investment and exports was partly compensated by robust consumption demand, supported by rising real wages, bringing GDP growth in 2013 to 4.1 percent.

New strategies are needed to address growing employment challenges in Pacific island countries, says a report released by the World Bank.