WFDFI  -  Action Program

3. DEVELOPMENT BANKING ADVANCES

1. Modernization

A virtual global development banking system will be designed through WFDFI to link up the regional associations and, through them, the grass-roots member institutions.   

• Knowledge Bank. The creation of an Internet-based WFDFI Information Network and Knowledge Base (to be called the “WFDFI Knowledge Bank”) will be considered.
  
  There are more than 500 development banks around the world that can be integrated into a single network of communications, information, and knowledge to be stored in a data base that will place development banks on the same level of access to information as investment and commercial banks. This universe of development banks is not too large but, rather, quite suitable for having a useful, valuable and efficient “knowledge bank”. It can enormously benefit development banks and their clients who generally lack access to specialized financial and development-related information systems. An example of such an Internet-based network is the IFC and MIGA’s “IPAnet,” which provides project information on investment opportunities in developing countries to potential investors all over the world. Another example is the “A-Net” operated by the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP), which links up the development banks in that region. Based mainly on ADFIAP’s experience, the “WFDFI Knowledge Bank” would be pro-active and launch action initiatives on items that emerge from this Action Plan and the needs of its Information Clearing House, rather than passively receive ex post information.

• Electronic Forum Discussion Group. This initiative will offer an opportunity to look into different issues of interest to development banks. The key topic of the Electronic Forum could be the same as that of the Seminar for Chief Executive Officers or one stemming from it, in order to allow all development banks to benefit from the discussion of the matters that were taken up at the Seminar. The idea would be to organize about four forums on an equal number of subjects, with the regional associations operating as their “electronic moderators".
  
  The Internet Discussion Group for Development Banks sponsored by WFDFI (DEVBANK-group@home.ease.soft.com) will always be kept as part of the Electronic Forum, free of cost and open to the participation of interested persons and institutions.
   

• Web site. WFDFI web site redesigned will continue being periodically updated and open for direct access by users like has been during the last year, rather than only through the home page of a regional association and will incorporate new links and reference contacts.

• CD-Rom. A CD-Rom will be prepared, containing institutional and financial information about the development banks in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and the Middle East and Latin America.
   

• Electronic Information Program. The development of software for the business operation of development banks is another important initiative. Commercial banks use complex computer programs to administer their client accounts, credit operations, and other financial business. A program for administering the operations of development banks should be less complex and it should cost less. Many large development banks have developed their own computer programs for executing and administering their business functions. However, development banks in smaller and poorer countries still lack computerized systems. The program to be developed can be made available to development banks that will find this system valuable for modernizing their operations and for ensuring conformity with international banking standards. It would also fulfill most reporting requirements periodically. The program would be provided on at least a cost recovery basis.
   

• Electronic Newsletter. This newsletter containing worldwide development banking news and issues will be prepared and systematically distributed free of cost.
   

2. Tecnification

In this area, the purpose of the WFDFI is to strengthen its catalytic role and that of the regional associations in providing institutional assistance and training to development banks.

• Institutional Assistance. All development banks have an urgent need for access to institutional assistance and specialized training. Quite a few countries are somewhat removed from the mainstream of development-related events. They require assistance with computer and information technology, international banking, asset/liability and risk management, human resource development, learning and training techniques, and other aspects of development banking operations.
   

• Basic and Advanced Training. Seminars and training in these areas are essential to keep development banks at the forefront of development financing and investment initiatives. While it is recognized that the WFDFI and the regional associations were created to provide this type of assistance, development banks emphasized at several meetings and seminars the crucial need for expanding the institutional assistance and training provided to them. International and regional seminars have the strategic value of identifying and disseminating successful experiences of specific institutions to the rest of the development banking universe.
   

• Fellowships. National institutions will be invited through the regional associations to grant fellowships (even partial ones) to colleagues from other regions on a case-by-case basis.
   

• Seminars. Some projects that could be implemented in this field are the following:

• Seminar for Chief Executive Officers of Development Banks, which was usually held at the same location and during the week of the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (in view of security and international circumstances, this project is being re-evaluated to find a better way to implement it in the future.

• Seminar for Development Bank Trainers, which has been held until year 2003 in Washington, D.C., under the sponsorship of American University and the WATD (considering the decreasing number of participants that use to attend it in recent years, this project is also under evaluation).

• Exchanges of Information and Experiences.

• To promote the exchange among the regional associations of information on development banking matters, training programs and specialized events.

• To request greater donor support for more seminars and courses to provide for a continuous and systematic exchange of experiences among development banks and their sponsors).