World Bank Launches New Strategy to Help Small States Tackle Challenges

World Bank Launches Targeted Strategy to Boost Small States’ Resilience and Jobs

By Andrea Shalal

World Bank Unveils New Strategy for Small States

WASHINGTON, April 17 (Reuters) - The World Bank on Friday unveiled a new strategy aimed at helping small island states and other small countries better address unique challenges such as remoteness, exposure to shocks and a narrow economic base by focusing firmly on jobs.

Initiative Announcement and Objectives

World Bank President Ajay Banga discussed the initiative at a closed-door gathering of ministers and central bank governors from 50 small countries held during the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

He said the concept was aimed at using differentiated tools to help small states attract more private investment, carry out policy and regulatory reforms to make it easier for businesses to operate and grow, and ultimately create more jobs.

Key Focus Areas

It will focus on areas such as health, affordable energy, resilient infrastructure and micro- and small businesses where Bank officials see the greatest opportunities to boost growth, strengthen businesses, and create more and better jobs.

Financial Commitments and Unique Challenges

The World Bank Group last year approved a record $3.3 billion in new commitments and guarantees for small states, which face unique economic challenges and are disproportionately affected by shocks, as seen during the war in the Middle East.

Impact of Shocks on Small Businesses

"For small businesses, a single hurricane, a sudden surge in imported fuel prices, or a downturn in tourism can undo months of investment and income in a matter of days," the bank said in a blog released with the new strategy.

Differentiated Approach and Partnerships

Banga said the Bank will take a differentiated approach to shape the regional projects it pursues in such countries, and partnerships would be a big component.

"This is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Small states are diverse, and our support will reflect that," Banga told the finance officials. "We also know the economics are different."

Cost and Efficiency Considerations

He noted that working in small states costs up to four times more than in larger countries, so the Bank planned to streamline delivery of its services, use more flexible financing and scale solutions to make the most of each dollar.

Current and Planned Projects

Some projects are already under way.

Urban Resilience Project in Tonga

In Tonga, for example, the bank will co-finance an urban resilience project with the Asian Development Bank under a mutual reliance framework agreement, a first of its kind between multilateral development banks.

Expansion to the Caribbean and New Tools

Banga said more such agreements were planned, including one with the Inter-American Development Bank to expand the approach to the Caribbean. The World Bank was also expanding the tools available to countries, he said.

Improved Diagnostics and Reports

Better diagnostics were also important, the bank said. Deeper reports studying the constraints to private-sector–led hiring were under way for Barbados, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Mauritius, Samoa, and Seychelles.

Leveraging Investments and Replicable Models

The World Bank could also leverage its power to help drive investments, the blog noted. For instance, the International Finance Corp, the bank's investment arm, helped fund development of Botswana's first utility-scale solar project, while the World Bank worked on a parallel project on battery storage to enable the integration of solar projects into the grid.

"The result is not only a solar plant, but a replicable model for how unlocking private finance can open markets and create jobs," the bank said in its blog.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Andrea Ricci)