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Sep 1, 2007

Selling Solar: Lessons From More than a Decade of IFC's Experiences

The World Bank became interested in exploring the solar photovoltaic (PV) market as a means to providing clean energy service in rural areas that had no access to the grid. IFC recognized the opportunity to test various option for the commercialization of solar PV in emerging markets.

Aug 6, 2007

Forest-Backed Bonds Proof of Concept Study

This report explores how conventional structured finance methods may improve the access long-term finance for natural tropical forests.

Aug 1, 2007

Voices of Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania

This report documents the challenges that women face, but also highlights the successes of Tanzanian businesswomen.

Jun 1, 2007

Women Entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa: Characteristics, Contributions and Challenges

Limited to five countries - Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates - the purpose of this analysis is to help countries in the MENA region better understand the challenges faced by women and to promote an environment in which female as well as male entrepreneurs can thrive.

Jun 1, 2007

Women Business Owners in Jordan: Characteristics, Contributions and Challenges

This report provides policy makers, financial institutions and entrepreneurial support organizations with new insights into the attitudes, challenges and needs of women business owners and their firms in Jordan.

May 1, 2007

Stakeholder Engagement: A Good Practice Handbook for Companies Doing Business in Emerging Markets

This handbook endeavors to provide a comprehensive overview of good practice in stakeholder engagement, with a dedicated focus on stakeholder groups that are "external" to the core operation of the business, such as affected communities, local government authorities, non-governmental and other civil society organizations, local institutions and other interested or affected parties.

May 1, 2007

Case Study Excerpt - Glamis Gold: Stakeholder Analysis in the Marlin Gold Mine Project

As Glamis Gold Ltd. began the development of the Marlin Gold Mine, insufficient stakeholder analysis harmed the consultation process involving affected municipalities in Guatemala. Initial consultations neglected to consider the potential opposition of the less affected population.

May 1, 2007

Case Study Excerpt - Sakhalin Energy Investment Company (SEIC): A Participatory Process for the Sakhalin Indigenous Minorities Development Plan

The Sakhalin project's goal was the "recovery, processing, and export of oil and gas" from oil fields on and around the Sakhalin Islands. Before the goal could be accomplished, an effective and participatory consultation process had to be initiated with approximately 3,500 diverse indigenous people on the island.

Apr 1, 2007

Solar Development Capital: Lessons Learned in Financing Solar Home Systems

This issue presents findings and lessons learnt from an April 2006 evaluation of the World Bank Group's Solar Development Capital initiative.

Apr 1, 2007

Voices of Women Entrepreneurs in Ghana

The Voices of Women Entrepreneurs in Ghana is an advocacy tool designed to complement the Gender and Growth Assessment in Ghana by presenting the issues, concerns and successes of women entrepreneurs in their own voice.

Apr 1, 2007

General Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines

The General Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines are designed to be used together with the relevant Industry Sector EHS Guidelines which provide guidance to users on EHS issues in specific industry sectors.

99 pages | © April 2007 IFC | Complimentary

Mar 10, 2007

Auditors and Independence

Private Sector Opinion 4, by John Plender. The author reviews the evolution of auditors' role in corporate governance and the challenges in achieving independence.

Mar 1, 2007

Banking on Sustainability

IFC's Banking on Sustainability report shows evidence of the potential benefits of adopting sustainability as a business strategy. It also shows a dramatic shift in banks' awareness of these benefits.

Mar 1, 2007

ILO Convention 169 and the Private Sector: Questions and Answers for IFC Clients

This note seeks to address the main questions about the Convention's content, its legal scope, the risks non-compliance might pose for the private sector, and practical approaches that can be adopted to respond to the requirements of the Convention.

Jan 18, 2007

Access to Finance for Women Entrepreneurs in South Africa

Access to Finance for Women Entrepreneurs in South Africa: Challenges and Opportunities is the first research study on access to finance for women entrepreneurs in South Africa since apartheid.

90 pages | | © 2007 IFC |

Jan 16, 2007

Sub-Saharan Africa - 2006 Regional Report

The Sub-Saharan region has seen six consecutive years of GDP growth, including economic expansion of 4.6 percent in calendar year 2005. Later that year, IFC launched the Private Enterprise Partnership for Africa, or PEP Africa, as its primary vehicle for promoting sustainable private sector growth.

20 pages | | © 2006 IFC |

Jan 1, 2007

Business Linkages: Lessons, Opportunities and Challenges

This publication is an example of IFC's ongoing commitment to sharing knowledge and good practices, and to partnering with key global players to address challenges and identify opportunities for linkages in developing countries.

Jan 1, 2007

Gender and Economic Growth Assessment for Ghana 2007

The report presents key findings and a matrix of policy recommendations for enhancing gender considerations in economic activity, and in particular how to facilitate the economic role of women in Ghana.

Jan 1, 2007

Gender and Economic Growth in Tanzania

The report examines gender-based barriers in the business environment that limit women's contribution to Tanzania's economy.

Jan 1, 2007

Manual for the Development of Municipal Energy Efficiency Projects in India

A guide for municipalities, energy service companies (ESCOs), financial institutions to promote the implementation of energy efficiency programs in water supply and sewerage systems, street lighting, and municipal buildings.

Jan 1, 2007

Gender and Economic Growth in Kenya: Unleashing the Power of Women

The report makes specific recommendations to address gender-related barriers in the context of ongoing government and donor initiatives to encourage private sector development as the key driver of poverty reduction and economic growth.

Jan 1, 2007

Survey on the Status of Business Women in Mozambique

This report presents the results of a study which aims to ascertain the status of and challenges facing Mozambican women's small and medium enterprises.

Dec 1, 2006

Who Cares Wins 2006: Communicating ESG Value Drivers at the Company-Investor Interface

The Who Cares Wins conference examined in 2006 the communication of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues between companies and investors.

Nov 15, 2006

Overview of Corporate Governance Issues for Co-operatives - A Discussion Paper

Linda Shaw, The Co-operative College, Manchester, UK.

Nov 1, 2006

Women Entrepreneurs and Access to Finance: Global Profiles

IFC and the Kauffman Foundation commissioned research on creative and effective programs, providing access to financing for women business owners through commercial banks and microfinance initiatives around the world.