Accelerating Development: Ideas for Impact

Episode 3 (Researchers edition). Are we Business Ready? Rethinking the Real Barriers to Growth

Many countries have business-friendly laws on paper. But what happens when the public services meant to support them fall short? In this episode of “Accelerating Development”, tune in to unpack the World Bank’s Business Ready 2024 report and examine the often-overlooked gap between legislation and implementation. From underpowered tax portals to fragmented border systems, we ask whether firm resilience is a sign of strength, or a symptom of deeper dysfunction.

Episode 3 (Policy Makers edition). Are we Business Ready? Rethinking the Real Barriers to Growth

Many countries have business-friendly laws on paper. But what happens when the public services meant to support them fall short? In this episode of “Accelerating Development”, tune in to unpack the World Bank’s Business Ready 2024 report and examine the often-overlooked gap between legislation and implementation. From underpowered tax portals to fragmented border systems, we ask whether firm resilience is a sign of strength, or a symptom of deeper dysfunction.

Episode 2 (Researchers edition). From Investment to Innovation: How to Escape the Middle-Income Trap

How can countries avoid the “middle-income trap” and reach high-income status? In this episode, we unpack the World Development Report 2024, which outlines strategies for countries to shift to high-income status. Tune in for sharp insights on how nations can compete, innovate, and level the playing field to drive long-term prosperity. Generated with AI and guided by experts.

Episode 2 (Policy Makers edition). From Investment to Innovation: How to Escape the Middle-Income Trap

How can countries avoid the “middle-income trap” and reach high-income status? In this episode, we unpack the World Development Report 2024, which outlines strategies for countries to shift to high-income status. Tune in for sharp insights on how nations can compete, innovate, and level the playing field to drive long-term prosperity. Generated with AI and guided by experts.

Episode 1 (Researchers edition). Empowering women: How to turbocharge global growth.

Countries have made enormous progress in recent decades dismantling laws that discriminate against women, but to this day, no country has achieved true equality of opportunity. According to the World Bank 2024 Women, Business and the Law report, countries can unlock the full potential of their population by embracing legal gender equality. Closing the gender gap in employment and entrepreneurship could raise the global GDP by more than 20%. Listen to what countries can do to turbocharge global growth. Generated with AI and guided by our experts.
Host: Renos Vakis, Lead Economist at the World Bank
Learn more:
Women, Business and the Law 2024 report
About the Institute for Economic Development 
Help us improve:
Take a few minutes to send us your feedback.

Episode 1 (Policy Makers edition). Empowering women: How to turbocharge global growth.

Countries have made enormous progress in recent decades dismantling laws that discriminate against women, but to this day, no country has achieved true equality of opportunity. According to the World Bank 2024 Women, Business and the Law report, countries can unlock the full potential of their population by embracing legal gender equality. Closing the gender gap in employment and entrepreneurship could raise the global GDP by more than 20%. Listen to what countries can do to turbocharge global growth. Generated with AI and guided by our experts.
Host: Renos Vakis, Lead Economist at the World Bank
Learn more:
Women, Business and the Law 2024 report
About the Institute for Economic Development 
Help us improve:
Take a few minutes to send us your feedback.