In 1999 the State Government of Andhra Pradesh launched the Deepam scheme, under which the government covered the cylinder connection fee for starting LPG service to those families classified as being below the poverty line. ... See More + The scheme clearly facilitated the uptake of LPG by the rural poor. However, this study found that biomass remains the main cooking fuel for the majority of Deepam beneficiaries. The economics of LPG service, with its relatively high operating cost, is not favorable for cash-strapped rural households. Even with the cylinder connection fee waiver, the high costs of cylinder refills confined LPG largely to incidental use. The average consumption level of LPG found in the study was 2.9 kg per month against a minimum of 7 kg required to meet the majority of cooking needs, limiting the health and other social benefits of LPG uptake as well as the potential for commercially viable LPG businesses.On the positive side, the convenience introduced by even this limited use of LPG in rural AP, and especially the amount of time saved for the cooks, should not be under-estimated, even if the overall consumption of fuelwood does not decline markedly. The Deepam beneficiaries universally cited time savings in cooking as the primary benefit of LPG use.  See Less -

Document Type: Internal Discussion Paper Report No.: IDP183 Document Date: MAR 01, 2002

Disclosure Status: Disclosed

Pensioners, gender and poverty in the Baltic States (English)

Document Type: Internal Discussion Paper Report No.: IDP151 Document Date: FEB 28, 1995

Author: Rose, Richard Disclosure Status: Eligible for Disclosure

The transformation of the regional fiscal system in Russia : the case of Yaroslavl (English)

Document Type: Internal Discussion Paper Report No.: IDP143 Document Date: AUG 31, 1994

Author: Freinkman, Lev; Titov, Stepan Disclosure Status: Eligible for Disclosure

Private enterprise in Russia : an approach to alleviating constraints (English)

Document Type: Internal Discussion Paper Report No.: IDP144 Document Date: AUG 25, 1994

Author: Sheppard, Marie Disclosure Status: Eligible for Disclosure

South Asia's move toward a freer market and freer trade has a new momentum. As in other regions during the 1980s and before, each country in South Asia has, in its own way, recently begun to restructure the role of the state, liberalize and deregulate markets, and let the private sector take a larger, more active economic role. ... See More + The pace may be slower than in other regions, for many important areas of each economy have yet to be reformed. But in the minds of most South Asians, the sustainability of reforms is no longer in doubt. Despite the recent conclusion of the Uruguay Round negotiations, regionalism - regional trading arrangements and the other cooperation possibilities they open up - remains nascent in South Asia. This study begins the process of exploring the scope for beneficial regionalism in and involving South Asia.  See Less -

Document Type: Internal Discussion Paper Report No.: IDP142 Document Date: JUL 01, 1994

Author: Srinivasan, T.N. Disclosure Status: Disclosed

Government financial transfers and enterprise adjustments in Russia, with comparisons to Central and Eastern Europe (English)

Document Type: Internal Discussion Paper Report No.: IDP141 Document Date: JUN 30, 1994

Author: Fan, Qimiao; Schaffer, Mark E. Disclosure Status: Eligible for Disclosure

This paper provides a close look at the key factors from the viewpoint of source countries that contribute to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows. ... See More + According to a survey of 173 Japanese investors in manufacturing, there are three important determinants of FDI in East Asia: stability and size of market, labor cost, and FDI policy. Some enterprise characteristics and strategic considerations also have strong impacts on FDI flows. Labor and other input costs are particularly important for higher-income countries, and FDI policy is particularly important for lower-income countries. Market size is important for all countries as a determinant of FDI. In the perception of source countries, what is needed to increase FDI include: consistent and stable macroeconomic policies, measures that reduce business costs (such as the development of human resource, infrastructure, and supporting industries), and liberalization of trade and FDI policy -- the same policies that are needed to increase domestic investment. Improving the general environment for all investments will help to attract FDI. Much more important than special policies to attract FDI are general policies that improve the environment for private investment in general and market-friendly measures to increase the spill-over effects of FDI. And, FDI policies need to be linked with the development strategy of the host country, its stage of economic development and priorities.  See Less -

Document Type: Internal Discussion Paper Report No.: IDP139 Document Date: APR 30, 1994

Author: Kawaguchi,Osamu Disclosure Status: Disclosed

Decentralization and fiscal disparities among regions in the Russian Federation (English)

Document Type: Internal Discussion Paper Report No.: IDP138 Document Date: JAN 31, 1994

Author: Le Houerou, Philippe Disclosure Status: Eligible for Disclosure

Infrastructure and industrial policy in South Asia : achieving the transition to a new regulatory environment (English)

Document Type: Internal Discussion Paper Report No.: IDP134 Document Date: DEC 31, 1993

Author: Seabright, Paul Disclosure Status: Eligible for Disclosure

Foreign investment in Brazil : major legal obstacles (English)

Document Type: Internal Discussion Paper Report No.: IDP132 Document Date: OCT 31, 1993

Author: Fischer, Georges Charles; Forster, Susan Christina Disclosure Status: Eligible for Disclosure