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 |

In recognition of International Women’s Day, we highlight the accomplishments of five leaders who have delivered much needed regulatory reforms benefiting entrepreneurs.

Caroline Freund, Valerie Marechal, Iva Ilieva Hamel |

Profiles of women reformers making it easier to do business around the world

Caroline Freund, Valerie Marechal, Iva Ilieva Hamel |

Jobs and wage growth have been the most important driver of poverty reduction globally, and Central Asia. In Tajikistan, for example, it has cut poverty by about two-thirds since 2003. In…

Lilia Burunciuc |

This year, the annual Doing Business Report – by far the most anticipated and cited World Bank publication – celebrates its 15th year. Starting in 2003, the fledgling report, which covers about…

Stefka Slavova |

A significant share of Tajikistan’s workforce works outside the country. Photo: Gennadiy Ratushenko / World Bank My colleague Victoria and I had an opportunity recently to meet with students at…

Mohamed Ihsan Ajwad, Victoria Strokova |

A significant share of Tajikistan’s workforce works outside the country. Photo: Gennadiy Ratushenko / World Bank My colleague Victoria and I had an opportunity recently to meet with students at…

Mohamed Ihsan Ajwad, Victoria Strokova |

For the poor and vulnerable of the world, jobs are key to ending poverty and driving development. But not all jobs are equally transformational.  Photo: Jonathan Ernst / World Bank Jobs are what…

Alvaro Gonzalez |

Global competition to attract foreign and domestic direct investment is so high that nearly all countries offer incentives (such as tax holidays, customs duty exemptions and subsidized loans) to…

Harald Jedlicka, Yassin Sabha |

Afghanistan. Photo by Steve Utterwulghe. This latest blog post should start with a mea culpa. Indeed, my 2015 work plan for public-private dialogue (PPD) did start in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, not…

Steve Utterwulghe |