View Articles

New York: An independent United Nations expert has urged Israel to prevent further rights violations in East Jerusalem, warning that population transfers in or from occupied territory are war crimes under international law.

The Austrian economy is recovering from its recession. A combination of a trade and financial shocks and a related sharp contraction of investment resulted in a fall in GDP by 3 ½ percent in 2009, in spite of consumption remaining resilient. In line with the recovery in world trade, growth picked up in the second half of 2009 and is projected to be around 1 ½ percent in 2010 and 2011. Confidence has also improved in the financial sector, as evidenced by lower credit spreads. However, uncertainties are elevated and relate mainly to outside real and financial developments.

COIMBATORE: The textile industry in India has been able to come out of the recessionary trend since last year and has now stabilized and there are indications that this sector would have positive growth this year, says textile expert.

WASHINGTON — The World Bank has approved a US$100 million credit for Kenya to improve the delivery of essential health services to its people, especially the poor.

WASHINGTON - The World Bank Board of Executive Directors have approved an International Development Association grant equivalent to US$255 million to promote good governance and consolidate macroeconomic stability and economic growth in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through the rehabilitation of key transport infrastructure which, in turn, will help improve the provision of social services and reduce vulnerability of the poor.

WASHINGTON ― The World Bank Group has approved an additional US$70 million for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) under the Ghana Energy Development and Access Project (GEDAP).

WASHINGTON - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) have decided to support US$4.6 billion of debt relief for Liberia, of which US$1.5 billion is to be delivered by multilateral creditors and the remainder by bilateral and commercial creditors. This was made possible in part by the exceptional efforts of members of the international community to finance debt relief for Liberia.

WASHINGTON - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) have determined that the Union of the Comoros has taken the necessary steps to reach its decision point under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative The decisions by the Executive Boards of the two institutions mark a step towards Comoros receiving US$144.8 million in net present value (NPV) terms in debt relief. The IDA Executive Board also approved interim assistance to cover part of Comoros' debt service to the institution.

Islamabad, Pakistan — Provincial and municipal level reforms in Pakistan are complementing nationwide reforms, finds Doing Business in Pakistan 2010, a joint IFC-World Bank report.

WASHINGTON — The World Bank has approved a $40 million grant to the Government of Afghanistan today to support the Third National Solidarity Program (NSP III). NSP III builds upon the achievements of the first two phases of the NSP, widely recognized as one the most successful development programs in Afghanistan.