This years Independent Evaluation of IFC's Development Results (IEDR) reviews the findings related to 174 IFC-Supported investment operations that reached early operating maturity during 2005-07. It also includes preliminary results for IFC's advisory services, based on a pilot review of 293 operations completed during 2004-06. As a second theme, the report provides a first look by IEG at IFC's additionally (or unique contribution) in its investment and advisory services operations.
As part of the World Bank Group, IFC's overriding objective is to help reduce poverty and support sustainable development in developing countries. IFC pursues this mission by supporting the private sector to create jobs and simulate markets. This report, which assesses the impact of IFC toward that mission, appears at a time of unprecedented levels of private investment in the emerging markets. The report takes a look back at the development results that the IFC-supported projects have achieved in the last 10 years, the main lessons that have emerged at the project level and the strategic implications for IFC going forward, in the context of rapid organizational growth. Going forward, the report highlights major challenges IFC faces to achieving overall development effectiveness.
As part of its strategy to support global trade, the World Bank Group seeks to enhance trade finance in emerging markets. In 2005 the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the Bank Group, introduced the Global Trade Finance Program (GTFP) to support the extension of trade finance to underserved clients globally. This IEG evaluation found that overall, the GTFP was a relevant response to the demand to reduce risk in trade finance in emerging markets. The program significantly improved IFC’s engagement in trade finance by introducing an open network of banks and a quick, flexible response platform to support the supply of trade finance. IEG’s evaluation covers the program’s operations from its inception in 2005 through FY2012. The program grew from a $500 million annual commitment to $5 billion in FY12. It accounted for 39 percent of total IFC commitments and has low costs—it accounted for 2.4 percent of IFC’s capital use and 1.2 percent of its staff costs and has had no claims to date. It is profitable as well, although not to the extent originally expected, accounting for 0.6 percent of IFC’s net profit. IEG found that the GTFP has particular additionality among higher-risk countries. In its early years, it was concentrated in these countries, particularly in Africa. During the global crisis, the program risk-mitigation instrument became relevant in much broader markets. Client feedback on the program has been positive. In its evaluation IEG does offer several recommendations to enhance its effectiveness, including on issues of transparency and reporting methods, as well as expanding the share of the program in needier markets. For development professionals, the lessons in this evaluation can be applied to private sector development situations, particularly mitigation of financing risks in emerging markets.
