The Role of World Bank Lending in Middle Income Countries

I will focus my comments specifically on the role of World Bank lending in middle income developing countries (MICs). I will make six interrelated points:

•  There has been a substantial decline in World Bank lending to MICs.
•  MICs still face a significant development challenge.
•  The declining role of the Bank lending is a problem for the MICs and the Bank.
•  There are many reasons for the decline in Bank lending to MICs.
•  There is good news as some progress has been made to facilitate lending to MICs.
•  There is still much that can and needs to be done.