Additional Resources

The World Bank
http://www.worldbank.org/

The World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. The World Bank is not a bank in the common sense. It is made up of two unique development institutions owned by 184 member countries—the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). Each institution plays a different but supportive role in the Bank's mission of global poverty reduction and the improvement of living standards. The IBRD focuses on middle income and creditworthy poor countries, while IDA focuses on the poorest countries in the world. Together the Bank provides low-interest loans, interest-free credit and grants to developing countries for education, health, infrastructure, communications and many other purposes.

International Finance Corporation
http://www.ifc.org/

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is a global investor and advisor that is committed to promoting sustainable projects in its developing member countries that are economically beneficial, financially and commercially sound, and environmentally and socially sustainable.

The IFC believes that sound economic growth is key to poverty reduction; that it is grounded in the development of entrepreneurship and successful private investment; and that a conducive business environment is needed for the latter to thrive and contribute to improving people's lives.

The IFC seeks to continuously improve its performance by responding to clients promptly, sharing its successes, and learning from its experience.

International Monetary Fund
http://www.imf.org/

The IMF is an international organization of 184 member countries. It was established to promote international monetary cooperation, exchange stability, and orderly exchange arrangements; to foster economic growth and high levels of employment; and to provide temporary financial assistance to countries to help ease balance of payments adjustment. Since the IMF was established its purposes have remained unchanged but its operations—which involve surveillance, financial assistance, and technical assistance have developed to meet the changing needs of its member countries in an evolving world economy.

World Trade Organization
http://www.wto.org/

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world's trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business.