Peru and the World Bank

Last updated

The World Bank lists Peru as an upper-middle income country. The Peruvian government has been keen to follow the World Bank's policies for growth. As of September 2018 Peru has $485.44 million in outstanding loans with a mix of 19 different institutions and sectors. [1] The policy reform undertaken by the Peruvian government with the assistance of the World Bank, has stimulated one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America.

Contents

Overview

Peru averaged a growth rate of 6.1% from 2002 2013. [2] In 2018, the Work Bank estimated that the Peruvian economy would have one of the highest growth rates among Latin American countries that year. The World Bank also has raised Peru's 2018 GDP growth projection from 3.5% to 3.9% in its latest report. The growth forecast for the following year is 3.8%. [3] The World Bank's ‘‘Country Partnership Framework’ for Peru establishes three focus points for the nation's investments. Those are 1) Growing services to citizens that live in rural parts of the country 2) raising productivity 3) risk management from climate change, and natural resource management. [4]

To attract outside investment, Peru's government passed an expansive reform agenda, and implemented a new framework for risk allocation by passing new Purchasing power parity laws. These pieces of legislation allow the government to phase out government guarantees and shift financial and construction risk to the private sector. The World Bank currently is providing services to Peru that is partly funded by the Swiss government. Through Switzerland’s $1.5 million technical assistance program, the World Bank is providing technical assistance on preparing standard contracts, and training on the new procedures required for bank approved projects.

Current projects

As of November 29th 2018, the world bank has 193 approved projects in Peru. [5] ‘The Modernizing water supply and sanitation services’ project has a cost of $200 million. The World Bank approved a $70 million IBRD + IDA loan; the remaining $130 million is contributed though local commitments. [6] The three main objectives for the project are 1) improving governance of the water supply, and sanitation service provider efficiency, 2) expanding the water supply and sanitation services to target regions by expanding and rehabilitating existing infrastructure, 3) training locals though project implementation.

Another project called ‘building higher standards for the national statistical system’ was approved on March 20, 2018. It cost $0.4 million and is mostly funded by a grant from “Trust Fund For Statistical Capacity Building” . Objectives of the project are to create a national strategic plan for statistical development of 2018 - 2022. The project aims to raise the standards for timely and complete national accounts, and the production of statistical information related to Peru's dealings with OECD. The project has been active since June 28, 2018. [7]

Positive results

The World Bank claims that in result of the policy reforms, job growth was strong enough to lower the percent of the population living on $5.50 a day from 52.2% in 2005 to 26.1% in 2013. This translates to 6.4 million Peruvians being lifted out of poverty. [8] Also the percent of people living on $3.2 a day (extreme poverty) fell from 33.9% to 11.4% in that same time period. [8]

A bank approved project called the “decentralized rural transport program" maintained 3,277 km of road. This lowed travel time to school by 24.2% on average, this in turn increased enrollment rates of children 12-18 yrs old by 19.2%. [9]

Criticisms

The policies advocated by the World Bank focus on making the nation more appealing to foreign investment. These policy changes have resulted in cuts in workers’ social benefits, tax cuts for private corporations, and fast-tracking procedures at the state land registry. As a result of these policy changes and others, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rose from $5.5 billion in 2007 to more than $10 billion in 2013. [10]

The World Bank's 'Doing Business' report, highlighted that businesses in Peru being able to reduce wages on labor and pay less in taxes were key to attracting the FDI. [11]

In 2015 the Peruvian government rewrote the laws on safety and health at work so that businesses were fined ⅓ of the previous amount for health and safety violations. Also the new laws diminishes penal sanction for employers in cases of worker injury or death caused by a violation of safety procedures. The new laws also save companies money by lowering the amount of mandatory medical check ups for labor. [10] The business friendly reforms also earned the criticism from Peru's former Environment Minister Jose de Echave, who called the changes a step backwards to preserving the environment. Also Peru's Ministry of Environment has been instructed to not prioritize preventive and corrective measures for businesses that violate environmental policy, instead to just fine companies who violate environmental law. [10]

From the structural adjustment period in 2013, the government deregulated and privatized the mining sector. This has brought in $5.4 billion in FDI but also resulted in high rates of deforestation, water pollution and the displacement of local communities. [10] The World Bank supports mining in Peru by the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) The Yanacocha mine is the second biggest mine in the world and one of the IFC's most profitable investments. Although the mine has created more than 2,000 jobs, and provides great returns to investors, the city that the mine is located, Cajamarca, and it's residence have had little to no quality of life improvements. Cajamarca remains one of Peru's poorest regions. [10]

Related Research Articles

Economy of Armenia economy of the country

The economy of Armenia grew by 7.6 per cent in 2019, the largest recorded growth since 2007, while between 2012 and 2018 GDP grew 40.7%, and key banking indicators like assets and credit exposures almost doubled.

Economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo economy of the country

The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has declined drastically since the mid-1980s, despite being home to vast potential in natural resources and mineral wealth.

Economy of Ecuador economy of the country

The economy of Ecuador is the eighth largest in Latin America and the 69th largest in the world by total GDP. Ecuador’s economy is based on the export of oil, bananas, shrimp, gold, other primary agricultural products and money transfers from Ecuadorian emigrants employed abroad. In 2017, remittances constituted 2.7% of country's GDP. The total trade amounted to 42% of the Ecuador’s GDP in 2017. The country is substantially dependent on its petroleum resources. In 2017, oil accounted for about one-third of public-sector revenue and 32% of export earnings. Ecuador is one of OPEC's smallest members and produced about 531,300 barrels per day of petroleum in 2017. It is the world's largest exporter of bananas and a major exporter of shrimp. Exports of non-traditional products such as cut flowers and canned fish have grown in recent years. In the past, Ecuador’s economy depended largely on primary industries like agriculture, petroleum, and aquaculture. As a result of shifts in global market trends and development of technology have led to the economic development of other sectors like textile, processed food, metallurgy and the service sectors. Between 2006 and 2014, GDP growth averaged 4.3%, driven by high oil prices and external financing. From 2015 until 2018 GDP growth averaged just 0.6%. Ecuador's president, Lenín Moreno, has launched a radical transformation of Ecuador’s economy since taking office in May 2017. The aim is to increase the private sector’s weight, in particular the oil industry.

Economy of Georgia (country) economy of the country

The economy of Georgia is an emerging free market economy. Its gross domestic product fell sharply following the collapse of the Soviet Union but recovered in the mid-2000s, growing in double digits thanks to the economic and democratic reforms brought by the peaceful Rose Revolution. Georgia continued its economic progress since, "moving from a near-failed state in 2003 to a relatively well-functioning market economy in 2014". In 2007, the World Bank named Georgia the World's number one economic reformer, and has consistently ranked the country at the top of its ease of doing business index.

Economy of Kazakhstan economy of the country

The economy of Kazakhstan is the largest in Central Asia in both absolute and per capita terms, but the currency saw a sharp depreciation between 2013 and 2016. It possesses oil reserves as well as minerals and metals. It also has considerable agricultural potential with its vast steppe lands accommodating both livestock and grain production. The mountains in the south are important for apples and walnuts; both species grow wild there. Kazakhstan's industrial sector rests on the extraction and processing of these natural resources.

Economy of Mauritius economy of the country

The economy of Mauritius is a mixed developing economy based on agriculture, exports, financial services, and tourism. Since the 1980s, the government of Mauritius has sought to diversify the country's economy beyond its dependence on just agriculture, particularly sugar production. In terms of energy, Mauritius' endowment with alternative energy resources and good governance makes it one of the potential winners in the global transition to renewable energy and the country is ranked no. 8 among 156 nations in the index of geopolitical gains and losses after energy transition.

Economy of Moldova economy of the country

The economy of Moldova is one of the poorest in Europe. Moldova is a landlocked Eastern European country, bordered by Ukraine on the east and Romania to the west. It was a former Soviet republic.

Economy of Slovakia economy of the country

The economy of Slovakia is based upon Slovakia becoming an EU member state in 2004, and adopting the euro at the beginning of 2009. Its capital, Bratislava, is the largest financial centre in Slovakia. As of 2018 (1.Q.), the unemployment rate was 5.72%.

Economy of Sri Lanka economy of the country

The free-market economy of Sri Lanka is worth $88.9 billion by nominal gross domestic product (GDP) and $291.5 billion by purchasing power parity (PPP). The country has experienced an annual growth of 6.4 percent from 2003 to 2012, well above its regional peers. With an income per capita of 12,811 PPP Dollars or 4,103 nominal US dollars, Sri Lanka is the second wealthiest nation in South Asia after the Maldives and is an upper middle income nation. The main economic sectors of the country are tourism, tea export, apparel, textile, rice production and other agricultural products. In addition to these economic sectors, overseas employment contributes highly in foreign exchange: 90% of expatriate Sri Lankans reside in the Middle East.

Economy of Tanzania economy of the country

Tanzania is a low income economy. Tanzania is largely dependent on agriculture for employment, accounting for about half of the employed workforce. The economy has been transitioning from a command economy to a market economy since 1985. Although total GDP has increased since these reforms began, GDP per capita dropped sharply at first, and only exceeded the pre-transition figure in around 2007.

Access to at least basic water increased from 94% to 97% between 2000 and 2015; an increase in access to at least basic sanitation from 73% to 86% in the same period;

The water and sanitation sector in Peru has made important advances in the last two decades, including the increase of water coverage from 30% to 85% between 1980 and 2010. Sanitation coverage has also increased from 9% to 37% from 1985 to 2010 in rural areas. Advances have also been achieved concerning the disinfection of drinking water and in sewage treatment. Nevertheless, many challenges remain, such as:

Economic liberalisation in India economic reforms in India that started on 24 July 1991

The economic liberalisation in India referred to the economic liberalisation of the country's economic policies, initiated in 1991 with the goal of making the economy more market- and service-oriented, and expanding the role of private and foreign investment. Specific changes include a reduction in import tariffs, deregulation of markets, reduction of taxes, and greater foreign investment. Liberalisation has been credited by its proponents for the high economic growth recorded by the country in the 1990s and 2000s. Its opponents have blamed it for increased inequality and economic degradation. The overall direction of liberalisation has since remained the same, irrespective of the ruling party, although no party has yet solved a variety of politically difficult issues, such as liberalising labour laws and reducing agricultural subsidies. There exists a lively debate in India as to whether the economic reforms were sustainable and beneficial to the people of India as a whole.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in India is a major monetary source for economic development in India. Foreign companies invest directly in fast growing private Indian businesses to take benefits of cheaper wages and changing business environment of India. Economic liberalisation started in India in wake of the 1991 economic crisis and since then FDI has steadily increased in India, which subsequently generated more than one crore jobs. According to the Financial Times, in 2015 India overtook China and the United States as the top destination for the Foreign Direct Investment. In first half of the 2015, India attracted investment of $31 billion compared to $28 billion and $27 billion of China and the US respectively.

Uruguay and the World Bank

Uruguay and the World Bank have been working together for a long time. This is because they both mutually benefit.

Vietnam and the World Bank Vietnams relationship with the World Bank

Vietnam joined the World Bank Group (WBG) on 21 September 1956. Before the mid-1980s, Vietnam was one of the world's least developed countries. A series of economic and political reforms launched in 1986, known as Đổi Mới, caused Vietnam to experience rapid economic growth and development, becoming a lower middle-income country. The World Bank (WB) has maintained a development partnership with Vietnam since 1993. As of 25 March 2019, it has committed a total of US$24 billion in loans, credits, and grants to Vietnam through 165 operations and projects, 44 of which are active as of 2019 and comprise US$9 billion. With an estimated extreme poverty rate below 3% and a GDP growth rate of 7.1% in 2018, Vietnam's economy continues to show fundamental strength and is supported by robust domestic demand and export-oriented manufacturing.

In 1980, Djibouti became a member of the World Bank Group (WBG). The WBG includes five different organizations: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). Accounting for more than thirteen thousand projects across 173 countries, the WBG is one of the main lending facilities of the world. The WBG works together with governments and private sectors in order to enhance countries efforts towards development and poverty reduction.

Democratic Republic of the Congo and the World Bank The DRCs relations with the World Bank

The World Bank Group is a family of five international organizations, which has continuously given leverage loans and financial assistance to developing nations like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, commonly known as the DRC. The country has received assistance from the World Bank in the form of social programs in order to induce and sustain economic development. This assistance has been directed toward conflict prevention, investments in education, and addressing environmental degradation.

Zimbabwe and the World Bank

The Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country locked in the southern region of Africa. It shares borders with The Republic of South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Mozambique. Upon gaining independence in 1980, the new regime, sought to replace many of the institutions established by the previous white rule. Many of the new regime's actions, like land reform and involvement in The Democratic Republic of the Congo's civil war, have been the source of the state's economic failure.

References

  1. "The World Bank In Peru Overview". worldbank.org. 12 December 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  2. "World Bank in Peru". Worldbank.org. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  3. PERÚ, Empresa Peruana de Servicios Editoriales S. A. EDITORA. "World Bank: Peru 2018 GDP forecast revised upwards to 3.9%". andina.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved 2018-12-13.
  4. "Peru: Building Infrastructure with Local Financing". World Bank. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
  5. "Projects & Programs". World Bank. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
  6. "Projects: Modernization of Water Supply and Sanitation Services| The World Bank". projects.worldbank.org. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
  7. "Projects: PE - Building Higher Standards for the National Statistical System| The World Bank". projects.worldbank.org. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
  8. 1 2 "Overview". World Bank. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
  9. "Project Information Document (PID) Appraisal Stage" (PDF). documents.worldbank.org. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Peru, The Poster Child for the World Bank in Latin America" (PDF). www.oaklandinstitute.org. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
  11. "Doing Business 2018" (PDF). World Bank.