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The World Bank and itsOffice of the Publisher
Publishing Workshop, Beijing, September 4, 2007
H. Dirk Koehler, Publisher, The World Bank, Washington, DC
What the World Bank Does
One of the world's largest sources of development assistance
In fiscal year 2006, it provided more than US$23 billion in loans to developing countries
Works in more than 100 developing economies
Primary focus: helping the poorest people and the poorest countries
The “Knowledge” Bank
To support the quality of its operations and to promote economic development in client countries, the World Bank Compiles indicators of social and economic
development Undertakes research on an array of public
policy issues Actively disseminates information
worldwide
The Office of the Publisher (EXTOP)
Unit of the External Affairs Vice Presidency of the World Bank (http://www.worldbank.org/) based in Washington, DC
About 80 staff (regular, short-term, consultants) Publishing in print and electronic form for the
World Bank Group and affiliated organizations Bookstore and Information Center InfoShop Approx. $11 m budget, not including the
production costs of publications which are borne out of other budgets
EXTOP: Publishing for Development Impact Objective is development impact, not profit Market is used where possible because it is
efficient, leverages established channels Where the market doesn’t work, it is
complemented by subsidies/discounts and free distribution
Open access policy for PDF files Pricing in industrial countries according to
market, steep discounts for customers in poor countries (up to 75%)
Capacity building and support for book industry in developing countries
EXTOP: Some Numbers
Approx. numbers per year: 200 new publications, see catalog http://
publications.worldbank.org/ 150 licenses granted (approx. 100 translations) $6m sales (50% print; 50% electronic) 400,000 printed copies disseminated (WB only; in
addition 300.000 copies license editions) 12m authorized online users of World Bank Online
Resources (growing fast) 100 events (book launches, discussions) with
10,000 attendees in WB InfoShop
EXTOP: Some Publications Statistical Publications incl. AtlasesStatistical Publications incl. Atlases
World Development Indicators, Global World Development Indicators, Global Development Finance, Atlas of Global Development Finance, Atlas of Global Development, Little Data BooksDevelopment, Little Data Books
Other AnnualsOther Annuals World Development Report, Doing Business,
Annual Report Research Publications
Policy Research Reports, Regional and Topical Series (often co-published)
Outreach Publications Guide to the World Bank, Mangas, Mini-AtlasesMini-Atlases
World Bank Online Resources with World Bank e-library
EXTOP: Distribution Policies
One or more local, commercial distributors in a country (non-exclusive)
Targeted free distribution Depository and regional libraries By WB country office (to government
officials etc.) Public information through local Public
Information Centers/Development Information Centers and web
WB/GW Workshops
The George Washington University in Washington, DC (http://www.gwu.edu/index.cfm) has a masters program in publishing, see http://cps.gwu.edu/publishing.html
EXTOP collaborates with GW to organize workshops for publishers in developing countries in partnership with a local co-organizer (publishers association, or university, or…)
WB/GW Workshops
Topics are to be chosen by local co-organizer
Faculty from WB and/or GW; additional local speaker/faculty desirable
Venue, catering, and local organization up to local co-organizer
Fees for participants have to cover costs of GW faculty
Certificates for participants from GW
Internship Program
EXTOP offers 3 summer internships for publishing graduates (or last semesters) of participating universities
We’re open for additional universities to participate
Applications of students have to be approved and pre-selected by a participating university.
Duration of the stay in DC should be 3 months. For details contact: Richard Crabbe (
