The COVID-19 pandemic had a very large impact on government finances. As governments saw their revenues reduced and their expenditures increased to cope with the health and social emergencies, the public debt rapidly mounted. By the end of 2020, the debt-to-GDP ratios had increased by 10 percentage points (pp) compared to pre pandemic levels in the average emerging … [Read more...] about How Do Inflation Shocks Affect Public Debt Dynamics?
It is Time to Do Away with Boards in State-Owned Enterprises and Create a New Model of Monitoring
In many countries, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) play a key economic role, either as providers of fundamental public services or generating fiscal revenues by controlling strategic assets. To better achieve the objectives for which they were created, SOEs need to use their resources efficiently and effectively. As a result, how governments monitor and govern these institutions … [Read more...] about It is Time to Do Away with Boards in State-Owned Enterprises and Create a New Model of Monitoring
Women-Owned Business Certification Programs “Sello Empresa Mujer”: An Effective Tool to Promote Women’s Participation in Public Procurement
Public procurement accounts for around 13-20% of global GDP, so it has the potential to be an important tool for governments to promote gender equality. Women-led businesses are currently underrepresented in public procurement awards. It is estimated that less than one percent of the $10 trillion spent annually on global public procurement is awarded to women-owned … [Read more...] about Women-Owned Business Certification Programs “Sello Empresa Mujer”: An Effective Tool to Promote Women’s Participation in Public Procurement
Six opportunities to promote resilience and decarbonization through fiscal policy
All countries in the region have signed the Paris Agreement, which aims to increase countries' resilience and adaptive capacity, as well as stabilize global warming below 2°C and as close to 1.5°C as possible. This objective implies two major challenges for finance ministries. First, they need to help drive large-scale and unprecedented changes in the energy, construction, … [Read more...] about Six opportunities to promote resilience and decarbonization through fiscal policy
Tax Administration 3.0: IDB open-source software leverages digital accounting data to facilitate and increase compliance
Digital transformation is changing how government agencies relate to citizens, allowing them to meet their constituents' needs faster, fairer, and more transparently. One promising area for governments is the creation of Tax Administrations 3.0 by using digital technologies to provide a more seamless and frictionless service for citizens and firms[1]. Tax administrations … [Read more...] about Tax Administration 3.0: IDB open-source software leverages digital accounting data to facilitate and increase compliance