news

selected news on sustainable innovation and economic development in transition countries of eastern europe and central asia

Transition since Fall of Berlin Wall Shapes Today's Crisis and Recovery in Emerging Europe and Central Asia

A report of the World Bank on the eve of 20th Anniversary of the Berlin Wall's fall says structural reforms are now necessary to protect hard-won gains
THE WORLD BANK, November 03, 2009
http://go.worldbank.org/ZIT7ZJTJD0

World Bank Study: Large Cash Transfers in BH do not Reach the Poor

A new report of the World Bank entitled: Social Transfers in Bosnia and Hercegovina (BH): Moving towards a more sustainable and better targeted safety net finds that cash transfers to finance social programs in BH fail to reach the majority of the poor and the most vulnerable.
THE WORLD BANK, June 15, 2009
http://go.worldbank.org/05G90W9UH0

Eastern Germany Less Hit Hard Hit than the West

A new government report shows that the former East Germany has been less bruised by the economic crisis than the richer West. The region has more smaller companies that are more flexible and less dependent on exports, it argues.
DER SPIEGEL, June 10, 2009
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,629662,00.html

Europe and Central Asia Facing Significant Climate Change Threats, But Are In 'Adaption Deficit'

This recent World Bank report urges countries to pursue climate-resilient development
The World Bank, June 03, 2009
http://go.worldbank.org/QKAVFS19G0

World Bank: Ex-Soviets Are Hit By Climate Change

The former countries of the Soviet Union are severely suffering from climate change, and the effects are worsened by environmental mismanagement and the lingering ill effects of the Soviet era, the World Bank says in a report.
AP ASSOCIATED PRESS, June 02, 2009
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/06/02/ap6493417.html

Report: Doing Business 2009

Azerbaijan was the top reformer in doing business, while Eastern Europe and Central Asia led the world’s regions in regulatory reforms, according to Doing Business 2009. Download the entire 211-page report to learn more about reforms and other changes to the business environment in 181 economies.
THE WORLD BANK, June 01, 2009
http://www.doingbusiness.org/documents/fullreport/2009/DB09_Full_Report.pdf (4,7MB)

What Germany Got for Its $2 Trillion

Lessons learned on government subsidies for fighting recession learned from East Germany and German reunification
TIME MAGAZINE, May 18, 2009
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1896424,00.html

EBRD Report: Sustainable Energy Initiative: Action and Results 2006-08

Through the Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI) the Bank finances the efficient use of energy that will cut demand and imports, reduce pollution and mitigate the effects of climate change. The illustrated booklet summarises the activities and achievements of Phase 1 of the SEI (2006 to 2008) and highlights specific SEI projects with carbon reduction impacts in the industrial, energy and infrastructure sectors.
EBRD, May 2009
http://www.ebrd.com/pubs/cs/sei.htm

Reforming Innovation Systems: VIII Knowledge Economy Forum of the World Bank in Fontainebleau/France

The Fontainebleau Forum is the eighth in this series of flagship events that the World Bank is organizing in partnership with INSEAD Business School to support ECA countries in their transition to becoming increasingly knowledge-based.
THE WORLD BANK, May 02, 2009
http://go.worldbank.org/CV9OOYZLF0

Global Crisis Pushing Almost 35 Million People Back Into Poverty And Vulnerability In Europe And Central Asia

After enjoying a decade of strong growth and poverty reduction, the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECA) are now seeing the global economic and financial crisis push almost 35 million people back into poverty and vulnerability, or about one-third of the people that had escaped from it over the last ten years, the World Bank said today at its regular regional economic briefing at the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings.
THE WORLD BANK, April 24, 2009
http://go.worldbank.org/W0UMZ83VK0

EBRD Transition Report 2008: Growth in Transition

The Transition Report offers an in-depth analysis of economic progress in 28 countries from central Europe to central Asia. Drawing on the EBRD's experience as one of the largest investors in the transition region, the Report provides comprehensive analysis of the transition from centrally planned to market economies. The 2008 Transition Report focuses on sustainable growth in the region.
EBRD, January 2009
http://transitionreport.co.uk/TRO/a/archives

Eastern Europe Faces Deep Slowdown (Reuters Interview)

The Eastern Europe and Central Asia region is likely to face a deep and prolonged economic slowdown as the global financial crisis cuts into investment and private capital flows, a senior World Bank official said.
REUTERS, December 11, 2008
http://go.worldbank.org/OBJV6XTNG0

The Global Competitiveness Report 2008-2009 (World Economic Forum)

The competitiveness rankings are calculated from both publicly available data and the Executive Opinion Survey, a comprehensive annual survey conducted by the World Economic Forum together with its network of Partner Institutes (leading research institutes and business organizations) in the countries covered by the report.
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, October 08, 2008
http://www.weforum.org/en/initiatives/gcp/Global%20Competitiveness%20Report/index.htm