Developing economies less prepared for downturn: WB

Emerging and developing economies are less well positioned today to withstand a deeper global downturn, should it occur, than they were before the 2009 global recession, according to a new World Bank Group study released on Wednesday.

The study, titled 'A Decade after the Global Recession' compares emerging market and developing economies' preparedness then and now, and finds reason both for concern and for optimism, the World Bank said in a statement.

Since the financial crisis a decade ago, emerging and developing economies have become "more vulnerable" to external shocks in an environment of "mounting debt and weakening long-term growth prospects," the study found.

"The big lesson of the past decade is clear, you need to be prepared for the unexpected," said Ceyla Pazarbasioglu, vice president for Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions at the World Bank Group (WBG).

"Developing countries need to urgently boost resilience and growth, by building human and physical capital, streamlining business regulations, and strengthening institutions," Pazarbasioglu said.

Meanwhile, many emerging market and developing economies now have stronger policy frameworks, such as fiscal rules and inflation targeting monetary policy regimes, than during earlier financial crises and global recessions, the study found, noting that international financial sector regulation has also strengthened.

"In light of downside risks and elevated vulnerabilities, policymakers should prepare their economies to mitigate the impact of adverse shocks and ensure that policy space is available to act when such shocks occur, as they inevitably will," said WBG's Prospects Group Director Ayhan Kose.