Banking supervisors in Central Asia need to be prepared for a potentially sharp rise in NPLs. A recent World Bank policy paper assesses the NPL resolution framework in four Central Asian countries…

Emiko Todoroki, Ismael Ahmad Fontan, Fernando Dancausa, Maksym Iavorskyi |

Uzbekistanis save as much as people in other developing countries, don’t use banks or other financial institutions to deposit their savings. As a result, most women follow the example of friends…

Davit Babasyan, Martin Melecky, Nargis Podchoeva |

Businesses worldwide feel the repercussions of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but how exactly is the private sector faring in Central Asia—a region with deep trade and investment ties to Russia…

Mariana Iootty, Martin Melecky |

This blog documents Uzbekistan's steps in transitioning to a market economy. It uses comparative analysis and accompanying literature to review issues countries experience while transitioning…

Martin Melecky, Davit Babasyan |

Establishing a fit-for-purpose banking law in Uzbekistan

Miquel Dijkman, Eva Gutierrez |

© ThickStock.com/Getty Images The first green bond issued by the World Bank 10 years ago created the blueprint for today’s US$500+ billion labeled bond market. This blog post looks at how green…

Heike Reichelt |

It is an unfortunate but fact of life that Indonesia often deals with the impacts of natural disasters. It was sadly evident again this week when I arrived in Jakarta to the unfolding disaster…

Philippe H. Le Houérou |

People in Saint-Louis, Senegal. © Ibrahima BA Sané/World Bank [[tweetable]]Massive investment is needed to meet the ambitious goal of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity by 2030…

Hartwig Schafer |