2006 Strategic Directions Paper

This paper, produced annually by IFC's Operational Strategy Department for approval by the Board of Directors, reviews IFC’s external environment and the progress it has made in implementing its strategic priorities. The paper sets out several goals to be achieved over the FY06-09 period, building on IFC's strengths and addressing its challenges, in order to achieve greater development impact.

Full Document [pdf]
Content [pdf]
Executive Summary [pdf]

Section I. The External Context [pdf]

• Overview
• Strong Economic Growth in Developing Countries
• Widening Gap: Africa as the Development Priority
• MENA
• SMEs
• Poverty and Investment Needs in Middle Income Countries
• Private Sector as Engine of Growth
• Long-Term Capital Availability Still Limited for the Higher Risk Clients
• IFI Finance Growing, Enhancing Private Flows
• Need for Effective Public-Private Cooperation
• Need for Advice to Develop Projects and to Meet International Standards
• Market Risks Remain
• Implications for IFC

• Greater Development Impact
• Better World Bank Group Collaboration
• Improved Client Satisfaction
• Leadership in Standard Setting
• Maintain Sound Finances
• Good, Diverse, Motivated Staff

• Highlights of Achievements, FY05-FY06 (to-date)
• Progress with the Five Strategic Priorities
• Strengthen the Focus on Frontier Markets
• Build Long-Term Partnerships with Emerging Global Players in Developing Countries
• Differentiate Through Sustainability
• Address Constraints to Private Sector Growth in Infrastructure, Health and Education
• Local Financial Markets Development
• Working With Other Financial Institutions
• Strategic Communications
• Implementation Challenges
• Human Resources
• Risk Management and Financial Capacity
• Equity
• Information Technology Implications
• Technical Assistance Funding
• Anti-Corruption
• Resource Implications
• Management Structure