How much will the Belt and Road Initiative reduce trade costs?

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a development strategy proposed by China to improve cooperation on a trans-continental scale. The range of projects and activities that will be part of the…

Michele Ruta, Alen Mulabdic, Siobhan Murray, Nadia Rocha, François de Soyres |
Competitiveness, Trade, Transport

Three Opportunities and Three Risks of the Belt and Road Initiative

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an ambitious effort to deepen regional cooperation and improve connectivity on a trans-continental scale. While the scope of the initiative is still taking…

Michele Ruta |
Macroeconomics and Fiscal Management, Trade, Transport

Does Your Country Export What It Should?

One of the core principles of trade economics is that of “comparative advantage.” First described by David Ricardo, the theory says that countries are best off if they specialize in products that…

Siddhesh Kaushik, Julia Oliver |
Trade, Transport

Notes From the Field: A Pot of Money to Help Countries Trade

About "Notes From the Field": With this occasional feature, we let World Bank professionals who are conducting interesting trade-related projects around the globe explain some of the…

Julia Oliver |
Gender, Trade

Maternal mortality: Why have some regions seen progress while others struggle?

New estimates released today by the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the World Bank show that the…

Samuel Mills, Emi Suzuki |
Gender, Education, Health