http://www.bicusa.org/en/Region.23.aspx The latest news on Egypt from the Bank Information Center 10 http://www.infodev.org/images/infodev.gif http://www.bicusa.org/en/Region.23.aspx The Bank Information Center welcomes the World Bank’s initative to open up and create a larger space for civil society from the MENA region. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12593.aspx Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:21:27 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12593.aspx Nicholas Hamilton of the blog Cairo From Below discusses a proposed World Bank loan of $250 million for a major Egyptian transportation project, in the broader context of envisioning a sustainable transport strategy for the Greater Cairo Region. The Bank's proposed project is called the Urban Transport Infrastructure Development and is scheduled to be approved by the Bank's Board of Directors in early 2013. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12589.aspx Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:51:49 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12589.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12583.aspx Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:39:42 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12583.aspx The long-awaited solar program for the MENA region being co-funded by the World Bank has the potential to provide clean energy and jobs for the region, if it is implemented in consultation with local communities and with their interests and needs as a priority. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12570.aspx Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:43:21 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12570.aspx MENA civil society representatives met with the Bank’s new MENA Vice President, Inger Andersen, to discuss Bank-civil society relations in the post-revolution era. The Bank responded positively to civil society’s demands for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development with full civil society participation. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12543.aspx Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:46:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12543.aspx BIC/MENA and civil society representatives from across the region engaged World Bank officials at the 2011 Civil Society Policy Forum of the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings, drawing commitments to inclusive and equitable development strategies and greater participation for civil society. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12542.aspx Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:10:45 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12542.aspx Civil society representatives from Egypt, Yemen, Lebanon and Tunisia find Executive Director Merza Hasan receptive to their concerns and willing to break new ground in future engagement with civil society. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12541.aspx Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:54:09 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12541.aspx At the Civil Society Townhall Meeting with World Bank President Robert Zoellick and IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde, Laila Iskandar, an Egyptian activist and chairperson of the Community and Institutional Development Group eloquently spoke on behalf of global civil society outlining the various CSO concerns which had been brought to her attention. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12540.aspx Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:12:52 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12540.aspx With goals of achieving greater participation for civil society organizations in World Bank operations alongside a commitment to inclusive and equitable development strategies, BIC/MENA and civil society representatives from Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Yemen among others successfully engaged the Bank at the 2011 Civil Society Policy Forum of the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12539.aspx Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12539.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12525.aspx Fri, 19 Aug 2011 17:12:07 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12525.aspx As Egypt's revolution continues to unfold, potential loans from international financial institutions have stoked intense debates. BIC's Amy Ekdawi writes that the fate of these loans must be contingent on open engagement with Egyptian civil society, not backroom deals. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12493.aspx Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:07:30 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12493.aspx BIC's MENA program publishes a case study on a controversial IFC project, Omar Effendi (OE) in Egypt. The study examines OE's mismanagement and failure to comply with IFC standards as well as highlights the IFC's poor due diligence and implementation of its Policies and Performance Standards. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12426.aspx Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:50:41 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12426.aspx Beatrice Edwards of Government Accountability Project argues against the U.S recapitalization of the World Bank for 2012 in light of the Bank’s involvement in projects linked to corruption allegations. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12425.aspx Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:51:42 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12425.aspx The recent uprisings that have affected almost every country in the Middle East and North Africa region are indicative of deep structural issues that are facing societies in these countries. Calls for democracy, economic reforms, employment opportunities and greater accountability require us to question the development model pursued in the region by institutions like the World Bank and the underlying assumptions that may have led to the failure of this model. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12405.aspx Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:25:15 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12405.aspx Fidanka Bacheva of CEE Bankwatch Network questions the European Commission's plan to be involved in supporting democracy in the Mediterranean region in light of the recent uprisings in the region. Many of her concerns about who EBRD and EIB's development efforts have tended to benefit in the past and who they will possibly benefit in the future can further be applied to the World Bank, which is also rethinking its engagement in the region. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12395.aspx Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:12:10 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12395.aspx On January 20, 2011, the World Bank hosted a dialogue on the Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Program in the Middle East and North Africa in Cairo, Egypt in order to discuss the overall CSP program and any key concerns that stakeholders might have. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12339.aspx Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:03:23 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12339.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12333.aspx Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:39:22 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12333.aspx As the World Bank pushes forward with a massive investment in North Africa’s energy sector, it is up to the institution to ensure that this program benefits those who need it most. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12230.aspx Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:49:47 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12230.aspx Egypt and the World Bank on Thursday signed two new loan agreements worth 820 million dollars, in the largest financing provided by the institution to the country's electricity sector http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12227.aspx Fri, 05 Nov 2010 11:12:02 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12227.aspx Relationship between Egypt and the World Bank is gaining momentum with the Bank's hire of a new Egyptian Managing Director http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12155.aspx Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:51:05 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12155.aspx The World Bank's Board of Directors has approved a loan of $1.2 billion Egyptian pounds to support the development of wind energy. 800 million Egyptian Pounds will be provided by the Clean Technology Fund, which will be a first for the fund in the Middle East and North Africa. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12094.aspx Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:59:29 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12094.aspx IFC clients need to adhere to the IFC's Performance Standards and the IFC ought to improve due diligence to ensure positive development outcomes and compliance with Standards. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11948.aspx Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:53:06 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11948.aspx At an energy consultation on June 29 for which it took weeks to finalize a date, 25 Egyptians from various segments of society, including NGOs, academic institutions, and private firms, all had one clear message for the World Bank to think about when designing its new energy strategy: "focus on renewable energy projects." http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11941.aspx Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:36:36 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11941.aspx Just one day after a World Bank Group energy consultation in Cairo where the clear and strong message from both civil society and the private sector was for the World Bank Group to push for renewables, the International Finance Corporation has announced a $120 million investment in Egypt's oil sector. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11940.aspx Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:13:29 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11940.aspx Writing in the Egyptian daily Al-Masry Al-Youm English Edition, Amr Mohsen of Lotus Solar Technologies and BIC's Amy Ekdawi lay out the case for Egypt to seek a transition to renewable energy now, not later, and to request that the World Bank aid this change of direction. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11923.aspx Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:32:50 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11923.aspx On May 3rd 2010, FDPD and BIC organized a panel discussion to bring together energy experts from NGOs, the private sector, and academia among others, to discuss Egypt's energy sector and the role that the World Bank Group would ideally play in that sector. The event also marked the first collaborative effort within a new BIC-FDPD protocol. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11893.aspx Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:26:52 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11893.aspx More than 100 civil society organizations from around the globe signed on to a letter demanding an end to all fossil fuel projects at the World Bank with aims other than energy access for the poor. Until the Bank halts the financing of such projects, bringing them into line with the G20 and APEC pledges to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, these CSOs will oppose the Bank's recapitalization ask. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11883.aspx Tue, 18 May 2010 17:08:20 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11883.aspx In a moment where the World Bank is reviewing its energy strategy, it is channeling the funds for a major program in the MENA region which may lead to technological breakthroughs with respect to mitigating climate change, but at what cost? This article examines the different factors associated with the development of Concentrated Solar Power in the region. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11853.aspx Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:19:49 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11853.aspx As the World Bank increases cooperation and coordination of development schemes with the Europeans, how might this affect lending trends in the Middle East and North Africa? http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11834.aspx Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:02:55 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11834.aspx Habi Center for Environmental Rights continues to engage the World Bank and the Egyptian government on the West Delta project. Egyptian CSOs have been urging the Bank to consider an alternative irrigation project which would help poor farmers as well. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11824.aspx Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:01:58 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11824.aspx Find out what the World Bank's strategy is in your country. In some instances, there is a Country Assistance Strategy (CAS), and in others, the Bank has used a more collaborative approach in designing and defining the pillars of their development program, to design a Country Partnership Strategy (CPS). http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11805.aspx Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:50:26 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11805.aspx Amy Ekdawi and Nadia Daar of BIC's Middle East and North Africa Program participate in four training sessions for the World Bank's MENA staff on engaging civil society in the region. This training is part of the Bank's Enhanced Action Plan for the MENA region which includes improved consultations, increased translation, and more engagement with civil society. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11787.aspx Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:50:36 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11787.aspx On January 13th, nine executive directors representing China, India, and other countries in the Global South wrote a letter protesting the recently announced guidelines from the U.S. for what coal projects it could support. The directors objected to the United States declaring it wouldn't support coal projects while maintaining its own reliance on coal power. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11758.aspx Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:35:26 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11758.aspx A workshop co-organized by the Bank Information Center (BIC), the World Bank’s Inspection Panel, and the IFC and MIGA’s Office of the Compliance/Ombudsman (CAO) was held in Marrakech, Morocco in late July 2009, and lasted three fruitful days. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11605.aspx Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11605.aspx Egyptian NGO, Land Center for Human Rights, has filed an appeal on behalf of farmers in the Egyptian Delta, citing that the joint World Bank and Egyptian government 'West Delta project' violates the Egyptian constitution that should protect the rights of farmers, and not just the interests of wealthy investors. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11503.aspx Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:55:04 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11503.aspx Egyptian civil society groups suggest an alternative water route for the West Delta Irrigation Project, that could serve poor farmers as well as rich investors, but the World Bank refuses to consider it. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11441.aspx Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:45:44 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11441.aspx Will the new crisis in the Nile affect the implementation of the West Delta project? http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11300.aspx Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11300.aspx The World Bank approves loans for renewable energy in southern countries while making sure Europe meets its energy goals. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11279.aspx Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:42:26 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11279.aspx The Egyptian government's engagement in the West Delta project raises many questions regarding the repayment of the World Bank's loan. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11268.aspx Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:52:59 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11268.aspx The workshop discussed the World Bank’s Disclosure Policy Review, and introduced the World Bank’s Inspection Panel to our regional partners. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11093.aspx Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:30:04 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11093.aspx As the World Bank launches a review of its policy on access to information, the Global Transparency Initiative will track the review process and provide analytical support to civil society groups concerned with transparency standards at the Bank. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11062.aspx Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11062.aspx Several organizations and social networks have asked the World Bank to postpone a decision on a $1.3 billion project in Brazil. The groups argue that prior loans have not adequately addressed environmental concerns and that the pending project-loan has the potential to continue this trend. Moreover, the groups see attractive alternatives. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11059.aspx Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11059.aspx A new book of articles edited by Ricardo Verdum of the Brazilian Instituto de Estudio Socioeconomicos (Inesc) explores the trends in financing for megaprojects in South America. The book highlights the shifting balance between IFIs such as the World Bank, the IDB and CAF toward new institutions such as BNDES, as well as the competition between IIRSA and UNASUR. The book emphasizes the urgency for greater transparency and accountability in information and decision making about large, high risk infrastructure in the region. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11006.aspx Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:50:57 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11006.aspx Meanwhile, the IFC’s advisory services in revising the region's mining policies reinforce concerns over the lack of transparency of these types of operations. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10991.aspx Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:36:49 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10991.aspx Concerned parties threaten to file a court case against the Egyptian government if they do not receive satisfactory answers. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10985.aspx Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:30:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10985.aspx The World Bank Group is adhering to its pledge for greater engagement in the Middle East and North Africa. However, data on the development impacts on the poor are lacking, while other data suggest that many Bank projects in the region are at risk. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3936.aspx Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:27:01 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3936.aspx The International Finance Corporation's (IFC) website on extractive industries government payment disclosure has made progress, but certain gaps in data availability remain. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3924.aspx Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3924.aspx The project will divert water from the Nile to the reclaimed lands in the West Delta region, while the introduction of the private sector for the first time in Egypt could leave small farmers behind. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3897.aspx Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3897.aspx The World Bank will buy 325,480 tons of carbon credits from Egyptian Company for Solid Waste Utilization (ECARU) on behalf of governments and companies in Organisation for Econmic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3842.aspx Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:02:01 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3842.aspx The workshop introduced BIC's work to Egyptian media and civil society organizations, and focused on the activities of the international financial institutions in the country. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3819.aspx Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:55:12 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3819.aspx Jeddah-based development institution announces $1.5 billion contribution toward food security programs in its member countries. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3799.aspx Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3799.aspx The World Bank announced today that it has set up a financing facility in the order of $1.2 billion to assist with the global food crisis. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3784.aspx Thu, 29 May 2008 15:16:41 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3784.aspx A report issued by the Egyptian Central Auditing Organization accuses the Egyptian government of using misleading financial statistics. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3648.aspx Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:47:48 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3648.aspx Partners and readers from the Middle East and North Africa region can now access information on BIC's MENA Program in Arabic. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3589.aspx Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:35:03 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3589.aspx Egypt tops list of reformers in World Bank's 2008 "Doing Business" report. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3515.aspx Thu, 27 Sep 2007 14:42:36 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3515.aspx The Egyptian government is facing criticism from members of its parliament over plans to sell off the country’s publicly owned banks. The plan to privatize several national banks within the framework of an $8.7 billion financial sector reform program has the backing of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the African Development Bank and US Agency for International Development. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3455.aspx Wed, 01 Aug 2007 22:39:57 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3455.aspx Sale of gas from EIB-financed LNG plant in Egypt at discount prices raises questions about who benefited from the deal. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3443.aspx Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:18:28 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3443.aspx