By Sebastien Gachot, Gines Suarez, Bruno Jaquet and Carmine Paolo de Salvo Water is the most essential element to life on earth, yet too much water all at once can have devastating effects. One country very familiar with the destructive force of water is Haiti, which has a particularly high exposure to natural disasters, but very low capacity for natural disaster risk … [Read more...] about Drawing on Experience to Improve Natural Disaster Risk Management in Haiti
development
Do Productive Development Policies Work for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises?
By Lucas Figal Garone Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Argentina accounted for more than half of the gross domestic product (GDP) and three-quarters of all jobs in the second half of the 2000s. However, evidence suggests that market and coordination failures have threatened the productive potential of these firms. Among the many challenges faced by … [Read more...] about Do Productive Development Policies Work for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises?
More than Denim and Profits: Creating Jobs and Engaging the Community
By Max-Emanuel Hatzold Remaining competitive in the textile business is not easy, as it is an industry with low barriers to entry and intense global competition. As a result, profit margins are typically low. That’s why companies like Vicunha Ecuador S.A., one of the country’s oldest textile manufacturers, need to constantly invest in growth, efficiency, and … [Read more...] about More than Denim and Profits: Creating Jobs and Engaging the Community
Tackle the Funding Gap: Expanding Access to Credit for Brazilian Microentrepreneurs
By Helio Bertachini Ms. Terezinha runs her own small business selling churrasquinho, a type of steak stick, in Pindamonhangaba, a city in the countryside of São Paulo State, Brazil. Terezinha needs credit to grow her business, but until recently her access to credit was very limited.View Post … [Read more...] about Tackle the Funding Gap: Expanding Access to Credit for Brazilian Microentrepreneurs
To Guide or not to Guide? Using Technology to Improve Learning
By Elena Arias and Julián Cristia Considering everything that technology has made possible, from instant global communication to space travel, harnessing it to improve learning and revolutionize education would seem well within our reach. Indeed, the IDB is looking at how technology can improve learning across Latin America and the Caribbean, where there is an urgent … [Read more...] about To Guide or not to Guide? Using Technology to Improve Learning