China - From Afforestation to Poverty Alleviation and Natural Forest Management
Bibliography B0789
[edit]
| Author(s) | Rozelle, S. Huang, J. Husain, S.A. Zazueta, A. |
| Date | January 2000 |
| Reference type | Book |
| Pages | 192 pp. |
| Publisher | World Bank, Washington, D.C. |
Summary
China’s forests and forest consumption are of global significance because of the country’s large area and population. China is the biggest borrower of Bank funds generally, and in the forest sector it overshadows all other Bank clients. China has also been one of the best performers in terms of the effectiveness and impact of the Bank’s lending operations. Yet the challenges in the forest sector have increased, and the future of the Bank/China forest program is now uncertain. The government’s recent logging ban, while intended to have a strong positive effect on the environment, also has tremendous short- and medium-term social and economic costs. It has already reduced timber supply and will likely affect employment, incomes, and government revenues. The provinces most affected by the ban have called for fiscal transfers from the center to help them deal with the consequences the revenue shortfall. Imports could increase sharply. This is happening at a time when the complexity of projects is increasing and the focus in the forest sector is shifting from production to conservation and biodiversity. As an added burden, the Bank’s lending terms are hardening. As China shifts from IDA lending to IBRD, the lending program in the forest sector is coming under pressure at the same time that China’s economy has been slowing, and the ability of poor households to borrow for long-term forest investments at commercial interest rates is in question.
Themes
Forestry
Geographic coverage
China
Available from
http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2000/08/26/000094946_00081705302466/Rendered/PDF/multi_page.pdf
Related records above this one:
- World Bank (Organisation O0145)