Unexploited Potential? What Role Can International Financial Institutions Play in Drugs and Development?. Issue 1 (14th January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Byrd, William A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of illicit economies and development. Volume 1:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 107
• Page End: 117
• Publication Date: 2019-01-14
• Subjects: Illicit narcotics -- Drugs and Development -- World Bank -- International Financial Institutions -- Afghanistan; Informal sector (Economics) -- Periodicals; Black market -- Periodicals; Corruption -- Periodicals; Economic development -- Periodicals; 338.9
• DOI: 10.31389/jied.13
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2516-7227

Abstract

This paper assesses the potential for and obstacles to engagement on drugs issues from a development perspective by the World Bank and other International Financial Institutions, based on a review of the World Bank's experience in Afghanistan as well as more general institutional aspects. Afghanistan demonstrates both the possibilities and benefits as well as the limitations of World Bank/IFI engagement on drugs and development. Prospects for duplicating, let alone exceeding, the level of Bank engagement on drugs seen in Afghanistan would not appear to be good. With pro-active encouragement and support by member countries of the World Bank/IFIs, however, there may be some entry points in major drug-producing countries and relating to global themes such as money-laundering or illicit-economic activities.