World Trade Organization

growth, thus promoting economic growth through investment and enabling the poor to share the fruits of economic growth.

The World Bank sees the five key factors necessary for economic growth and the creation of an enabling business environment as: 1. Build capacity: Strengthening governments and educating government officials.

2. Infrastructure creation: implementation of legal and judicial systems for the encouragement of business, the protection of individual and property rights and the honoring of contracts.

The World Bank is active in the following areas: - Agriculture and Rural Development - Conflict and Development - Development Operations and Activities - Economic Policy - Education - Energy - Environment - Financial Sector - Gender - Governance - Health, Nutrition and Population - Industry Members The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has 186 member countries, while the International Development Association (IDA) has 168 members. Each member state of IBRD should be also a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and only members of IBRD are allowed to join other institutions within the Bank (such as IDA).

Criticism The World Bank has long been criticized by non-governmental organizations and academics, including its former Chief Economist Joseph Stiglitz who is equally critical of the International Monetary Fund, the US Treasury Department, US and other developed country