Reuters quotes Ben Leo on possible IDA changes
From the article:
Ben Leo, an Africa expert who worked in the White House and U.S. Treasury Department and is now at Washington's Center for Global Development policy think-tank, has proposed changes he believes could mobilize an additional $7.5 billion for poor countries -- $5.5 billion of that for Africa.
In essence, Leo is proposing the Bank's fund for wealthier countries, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, provide the loans to IDA's better-off countries such as India and Vietnam. IDA would pay the IBRD's interest costs, thereby keeping the loan affordable.
"It would dramatically increase the resources for the poorest countries and hold the better-off countries harmless in terms of the aid volumes they receive from the World Bank, as well as the terms of that assistance," said Leo.
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