7962 research outputs found
Sort by
Suriname Poverty and Equity Assessment
Get PDFThis Poverty and Equity Assessment aims to inform efforts to reduce poverty and inequality at what could be an important turning point for Suriname. The assessment was written as Suriname was gradually emerging from a severe macro-fiscal crisis. After the implementation of stringent reforms, the economy is now showing signs of recovery and Suriname is turning attention to longer-term priorities. The analysis provides insight into the characteristics of poverty and inequality in Suriname and opportunities to address them. The picture that emerges is one of human capital deficiencies at the heart of poverty and inequality and historical inequities still driving patterns of poverty and inequality. However, the current situation also represents a significant opportunity to reduce poverty and inequality through improvements in education outcomes, better connection of labor supply and demand, increased access to economic opportunities for women, and improvements in social assistance. It is our hope that this assessment will contribute to Suriname seizing these opportunities
Estimating the Economic Impact of Governance in Disaster Risk Management: Theory and Evidence from Latin America and the Caribbean
Get PDFStrengthened governance is crucial to reduce economic risks associated with disasters, but little is known about its impact. We combine a new dataset on disaster risk management governance for 26 countries from the Latin America and Caribbean region with annual information on economic losses resulting from disasters between 1980 and 2016. To account for endogenous disaster risk management (DRM) governance processes, we exploit the fact that changes in DRM regulatory frameworks affect a country\u27s capacity for disaster risk identification and reduction to provide instrumental variable estimates of their impact. We find that disasters cause substantial economic losses and that a more robust governance for disaster risk resilience to economic losses reduces the expected economic toll caused by natures shocks. Our estimates suggest that the improvement of DRM governance in Latin America and the Caribbean mitigate the economic toll of disasters, especially in a context where climate change leads to the occurrence of more frequent and severe natural hazards across the region
Reducing Cybersecurity Risks at the Organization’s Endpoints: Cybersecurity Best Practices
No full textThis publication presents a series of measures that allow for the protection of physical devices, such as desktop computers and mobile devices, that connect to an organizations network system, commonly referred to as “endpoints” of the network, by establishing security protocols based on physical security and access prevention, permission management, information protection, and software implementation. The document refers to a wide range of endpoints, irrespective of their operating system, terminal type, or where they connect from within the organization, with readers being able to implement the recommendations regardless of whether they deal with internal fixed or mobile stations or when connecting other devices that are not the property of the organization to the intranet. This publication is part of the "Cybersecurity Best Practices" collection, a compendium of practices, methodologies, and recommendations in cybersecurity oriented to organizations, developed by the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD), and adapted in this series by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), with the objective of facilitating access to this body of knowledge throughout the Latin American and Caribbean region
The Impact of Labor Intermediation Training in High Informality Contexts. Evidence from Paraguay
Get PDFWe provide quasi-experimental estimates of the impact on formal employment of a labor intermediation and training program offered in Paraguay. The Program to Support Labor Insertion (PAIL for its Spanish name) revamped training program design in the country by offering courses aligned with the needs of the private sector, enhancing non-cognitive skills, and combining practical work within companies with classroom training. We combine administrative records which contain detailed information on the employment history and characteristics of all formal workers in Paraguay with an empirical strategy based on extensions of difference-in-differences models and synthetic difference-in-differences. We find that the probability of obtaining formal employment for women and men increases by 11 percentage points. Even two years after participating, the program has a lasting impact on women, an aspect not observed for men. Additionally, we find that the program\u27s impact is positive only in the metropolitan area of Asunción; the program is less effective in areas far from the urban center, especially for men. The observed results suggest that supply-side interventions are ineffective if no formal jobs are available for the beneficiaries
Advancing Electric Mobility in Trinidad and Tobago: Results from local public consultations
Get PDFTrinidad and Tobago has a great opportunity to accelerate the deployment of electro mobility in the country. The electrification of the transport sector has the potential to reduce the countrys emissions and thus help the fight against the impacts of climate change, and improve peoples quality of life with the reduction of air pollution in urban centers. Moreover, the electrification of the transport sector increases energy security and presents a great opportunity to improve public transportation services to the population. This report, elaborated by the University of West Indies (St. Augustine campus) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), aims to provide insights about a series of public consultations with stakeholders in the country, and has the goal of presenting the results as a contribution to the efforts the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is already doing in the development of electro mobility. Investments in green and resilient infrastructure can contribute to the sustainable development of the country and thus improve the quality of life of the local society
Friends or Foes? The Impact of Voluntary Sustainability Standards on Agricultural Exports of Developing Countries
Get PDFPrivate actors have been actively working on standards that certify products and their production processes to minimize negative externalities. The number of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) has been increasing over the last few decades, raising interest in understanding their impact on trade flows. Standards governing the production of agricultural commodities are especially crucial for developing countries as these goods often constitute a significant portion of their exports. Using a structural gravity model, we investigate how VSS certification affects exports for developing countries across eight highly traded commodities, and twelve VSS certification schemes from 2013 to 2021. Our analysis highlights how these effects differ for Latin America and the Caribbean compared to the rest of the world. The results indicate a positive and significant effect of VSS certification on exports, with on average a one percent increase in VSS coverage, resulting in a 1.86% increase in export value. We observed positive and significant impacts on bananas, palm oil, tea, and cotton exports. Our findings also suggest that trade gains are larger for lower-income exporters trading with high-income destinations, suggesting an important role of VSS in reducing information asymmetries. Also, we observe that the proliferation of standards might reduce the positive effects associated with VSS adoption for the main agricultural producers
Fundraising for Venture Capital Funds in Latin America and the Caribbean
Get PDFThis inaugural edition on the state of Fundraising for Venture Capital (VC) Funds in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is based on data collected from IDB Labs recent calls for proposals for investment management firms seeking equity financing for VC funds. This report provides a unique contribution to the regions VC knowledge base, offering valuable insights for both aspiring and experienced fund managers, limited partners, and other key stakeholders in the ecosystem. This report examines trends and patterns across investment theses, impact strategies, gender and diversity, funds terms and structures, fundraising expectations, and additional areas, as observed from the fund managers perspective. Analyzed data includes applicant funds geographic scope and location, sectoral focus, portfolio construction strategies, investment stages, follow-on reserves, fund economics (such as management fees, carried interest, and hurdle rates), as well as fund life and potential extensions, preferred jurisdictions, and projected timelines for closing, among other relevant metrics
Crime Underreporting in Latin America and the Caribbean
Get PDFCrime underreporting poses a significant challenge for governments and law enforcement agencies. This study examines the extent, characteristics, and drivers of crime underreporting and provides evidence-based policy recommendations to address it. Using information from victimization surveys from 10 Latin American and Caribbean countries, the analysis reveals widespread crime underreporting, with an average of approximately three out of four crimes not reported in the countries examined. Low and heterogenous reporting rates point to potential biases in official crime statistics, with certain crimes and victim groups over- and underrepresented. A comprehensive literature review yields a menu of evidence-backed interventions, including remote reporting methods, public information campaigns, diversifying police forces, and reducing deportation risk. Beyond these policies, strengthening data collection through better and more frequent victimization surveys and alternative data collection methods, and addressing fundamental challenges such as the integrity and efficacy of law enforcement institutions appear critical to achieve long-term improvements in crime reporting and, ultimately, support effective crime responses
Cybersecurity Aspects of Commercial Message Distribution (SMS): Cybersecurity Best Practices
Get PDFThis document describes the main cybersecurity threats derived from distribution of commercial messages via text messages (SMS) and based on these offers a series of implementation recommendations and best practices to help organizations improve their internal processes associated with the transmission of informative material via text messages and minimize the risks related to this practice that can ultimately expose both the sending organization and recipients. This publication is part of the "Cybersecurity Best Practices" collection, a compendium of practices, methodologies and recommendations in cybersecurity oriented to organizations, developed by the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD), and adapted in this series by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), with the objective of facilitating access to this body of knowledge throughout the Latin American and Caribbean region
Food for Export: An Analysis of Haiti\u27s Agricultural Export Potential in the Nord-Ouest Department
Get PDFThis study explores the agricultural export potential of Haiti\u27s Nord-Ouest Department, a region historically marked by food insecurity, high poverty rates, and geographical isolation. Despite accounting for 21 percent of Haitis GDP and being the primary source of employment for 50 percent of the population, agriculture represents only 7 percent of Haiti\u27s exports. The sector thus has the potential for greater export promotion, benefiting the country as a whole, but also poorer regions that strongly depend on this activity, such as the Nord-Ouest where it employs 62.7 percent of the workforce. This paper addresses the structural, economic, and policy barriers that have historically undermined the sector\u27s productivity and export capabilities in this Department. Employing a combination of systems analysis, spatial value chain analysis, and quantitative crop ranking, the research identifies strategic interventions to enhance agricultural productivity and export potential. The analysis focuses on crops with high export potential, nutritional value, and climate change resilience. Findings suggest that increasing productivity and boosting exports requires a multipronged approach: improving infrastructure and food processing, combatting socioeconomic behaviors including charcoal production and deforestation, and restoring political stability