This study examines the poverty, and
growth experience of six villages in rural Ethiopia, from
1989 to 1995. The time period was one of relative peace
politically, which promoted considerable change in economic
policies pertaining to the rural sector. As a result, local
growth out-performed the average growth rate in gross
domestic product. The focus of the study is the link between
economic reforms, growth, and changes in poverty. The author

Accelerating rural economic growth and
reducing rural poverty requires a comprehensive strategy
built on sound analysis covering all major aspects o f the
rural economy including agricultural output markets, input
markets (seeds, fertilizer, extension), factor markets
(land, water, labor and credit), the rural non- farm
economy, and targeted interventions. This report focuses on
one aspect o f this complex puzzle - rural factor markets.

The objective of this study is to raise awareness and understanding of exposure and vulnerability to drought in Central Asian countries and the Caucasus and to introduce a strategic, pro-active framework of mitigation and prevention. The audiences of the report are the governments of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in the Caucasus and Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic in Central Asia. The report will further be of interest to NGOs and civil society, as well as donors.

Progress in Vietnam has been substantial
when other dimensions of poverty, apart from expenditures,
are considered. The broader Vietnam Development Goals
(VDGs), which are a localized version of the Millennium
Development Goals, show a consistent improvement of social
indicators, from education enrollment to infant mortality.
While some regions and some population groups gained more
than others, Vietnam continues to reduce poverty

A common-agency lobbying model is
developed to help understand why North America and the
European Union have adopted such different policies toward
genetically modified (GM) food. Results show that when
firms (in this case farmers) lobby policy makers to
influence standards and consumers and environmentalists care
about the choice of standard, it is possible that increased
competition from abroad can lead to strategic incentives to

The objective of the study is to analyze
conflict-induced displacement from the point of view of
vulnerability, using a multifaceted definition of
vulnerability. As many as 10 million people have been
displaced by war in the Europe and Central Asia region since
1990. While many people have been able to return home,
approximately half remain displaced, with no available
avenues for sustainable reintegration. Currently, in five

Tariffs are low in Azerbaijan and need
to be raised to finance badly needed network maintenance and
to balance supply and demand. This study presents an
analysis of the short-term impacts of a 50 percent
electricity tariff increase on residential consumers. The
study starts by reviewing electricity tariffs, consumption
levels, and expenditure patterns compared to neighboring
countries. It then considers the welfare effects o f raising

Using data collected during several missions, the author finds that the principal reasons for low revenue mobilization are (1) the adverse fiscal impact of trade liberalization, (2) the defiscalization of agriculture in the 1970s, (3) the collapse of the uranium boom in the 1980s, and (4) the poor record of the VAT in mobilizing revenue. The large reduction in tariffs during the 1980s and 1990s in the context of structural adjustment programs and West African regional integration initiatives had adverse effects on trade tax revenue during the period 1980 2003.

Azerbaijan's early transition to an
independent, market-based economy has been tumultuous,
entailing significant economic costs, and social impacts.
Yet, unlike many transition economies, sound economic
reforms since 1995, have enabled the country to achieve
macroeconomic stability, and resume growth. Notwithstanding,
the impact on poverty reduction has been modest,
particularly in the case of the urban poor who did not

Afghanistan has come a long way since
emerging from major conflict in late 2001. Important
political milestones mandated by the Bonn Agreement (two
Loya Jirgas, a new Constitution, recently the Presidential
election) have been achieved. The economy has recovered
strongly, growing by nearly 50 percent cumulatively in the
last two years (not including drugs). Some three million
internally- and externally-displaced Afghans have returned

This report is part of a strategy to
promotes trade competitiveness within the East Asia and
Pacific Region. It presents an overview of the logistics
issues facing East Asia countries and proposes a development
agenda for them. Based on the recognition that the
countries have basic differences in their level of
development, extent of openness, and composition of trade,
it begins by discussing the benefits of improved logistics.

The Little Green Data Book 2004 is based
on the World Development Indicators 2004, and represents a
succinct collection of information. It is a collaboration
between the Development Economics Data Development Group,
and the Environment Department of the World Bank. Under the
headings of agriculture, forests, biodiversity, energy,
emissions and pollution, water and sanitation, and
'greener' national accounts, it presents key