About the Report

International financial flows to developing countries are probably more valuable than traditional thought—and the prospects for using them more effectively continue to improve. These resource transfers from rich countries to poor ones create investment opportunities, and influence development, by stimulating improvements in the policies and institutions for developing countries. They can thus reinforce those countries’ efforts to raise productivity and increase efficiency in the economy.

These are some of the conclusions reached by Global Development Finance 2001, Analysis and Summary Tables, a report which also highlights current international initiatives to leverage the extensive potential of international financial flows. These include the global reform of the international financial architecture and the World Bank's Comprehensive Development Framework at the country level, which advocates a holistic approach to development.

Global Development Finance 2001, Analysis and Summary Tables,

• Predicts a quick rebound in the global economy in 2001 despite the cyclical slowdown of 2000
• Finds that capital flows to developing countries grew smartly in 2000 following the steep declines of the crisis-laden late 1990s but still lagged behind output and trade since the crises
• That aid flows and the pace of debt relief picked up in 2000, but would need constant watching to sustain the gains to make the case for greater aid
• Concludes that international financial institutions need to take a more flexible and pragmatic approach to coalition building to achieve the maximum dividends from international resource transfers intended for public goods

Global Development Finance 2001, Country Tables, as in previous years, includes a comprehensive volume of country tables with statistical data for 138 countries that report debt under the World Bank Debtor Reporting System, as well as summary data for regions and income groups. It contains data on total external debt stocks and flows, aggregates, and key debt ratios, and provides a detailed, country-by-country picture of debt. Global Development Finance 2001 debt data are also available on CD-ROM, with more than 200 historical time series from 1970 to 2000 and country group estimates for 2001.