So, that was the World Bank annual meetings. The great and the good among the world’s financial leaders gathered in Washington, and they talked for a long time, and they went away. The next question is whether the talk leads to tangible results.
Ajay Banga continued to push his priorities — reform and jobs — and unveiled some new staffing structures. Relatively little progress appears to be likely on key issues such as debt restructuring, climate finance, and tax reform. Uncertainty is the new normal.
The European Investment Bank launched a new strategy, with a €10 billion ($11.6 billion) annual spending target. But otherwise, the event has been light on major new policy announcements.