Economics & Development

The agrifood sector is a key driver of Pará’s economy, contributing about 10 percent of state GDP, generating 13.1 percent of employment, and accounting for 2.5 percent of Brazil’s gross agricultural output. Fueled by strong growth in agricultural production, particularly in cattle and açaí, the sector also plays a significant role in exports, ranking sixth among Brazilian states. Agricultural production is concentrated in seven major products, while soybean cultivation continues to expand. Despite its economic importance and strong performance, the sector faces significant structural constraints, particularly inadequate logistics and infrastructure, which increase transportation costs and limit competitiveness. Strengthening policies to support a more competitive, green, and inclusive agrifood sector is essential to sustain growth, improve productivity, and address development challenges in Pará.

On September 29, 2026, the Board of Directors approved an investment in Brazil for the EVM e-Mobility Project with Evolution Mobility S.A., consisting of an A Loan and a concessional subordinated loan provided by the International Finance Corporation IFC, including resources in its capacity as implementing entity of the Clean Technology Fund CTF, under an absence-of-objection basis. This document corresponds to IFC Project ID: 50440.

Female-targeted cash transfers are widely used as a policy tool to enhance women’s empowerment. However, little is known about what happens when payments stop — whether due to budget cuts, program changes, or recipient graduation. This paper studies how women are affected by unanticipated program exit, and whether they experience backlash when they stop bringing cash home. Using a regression discontinuity-in-differences design around a revised eligibility threshold, the study followed 2,333 women exiting Pakistan’s largest cash transfer program, surveying them before program exit and one year after it. Drawing on comprehensive measures of empowerment, intimate partner violence, and well-being, the paper finds no evidence of negative impacts a year after exit. These results suggest that the gains experienced by women during the program are not undone by adverse reactions upon exit.