This book was prepared by a team led by K. Sarwar Lateef. The team consisted of Mehdi Akhlaghi, Aelim Chi, David Cieslikowski, Jihee Kim, Bertha Namfua, Saeed Ordoubadi, Sulekha Patel, Eric Swanson, K. M. Vijayalakshmi, Mildred Weiss, and Estela Zamora, working closely with other teams in the International Economics Department’s Development Data Group. The CD-ROM development team included Mehdi Akhlaghi, Azita Amjadi, Elizabeth Crayford, Reza Farivari, Yusri Harun, Asieh Kehyari, Angelo Kostopoulos, and William Prince. Contributions were also made by staff from throughout the Development Economics Vice Presidency. The work was carried out under the management of Shaida Badiee and under the general direction of Masood Ahmed.
The choice of indicators and textual content was shaped by close consultation with and substantial contributions from staff in the four emerging thematic networks of the World Bank—Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development; Finance, Private Sector, and Infrastructure; Human Development; and Poverty Reduction and Economic Management—and staff of the International Finance Corporation and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency. T. N. Srinivasan, Paul Armington, and Michael Ward were also instrumental in helping shape the product and commented extensively on drafts of the book. In addition, we received substantial help, guidance, and data from our external partners. For individual acknowledgments of contributions to the book’s content, please see the credits. For a listing of our key partners, see the Partners section.
Bruce Ross-Larson was the principal editor, and Peter Grundy, the art director. The cover and page design and the layout and desktopping were by the American Writing division of Communications Development Incorporated, with Grundy & Northedge of London. The External Affairs Vice Presidency oversaw publication and dissemination of the book.