Daniel Kaufmann is the director of global programs at the World Bank Institute and a noted researcher on issues of governance. On the occasion of his visit to Lebanon, he talked to Executive about the World Bank’s work to enhance governance, reduce corruption and alleviate poverty. Is your visit to Lebanon part of a regional tour, or was it purposely scheduled? It was purposely scheduled because of excellent discussions we had with the minister of finance [Jihad Azour] during the annual meetings of the World Bank and IMF [in September]. My visit is a follow-up to that. I don’t believe in regional tours for tours’ sake, I go only to places where there is a possibility for concrete help and work. The World Bank categorizes nations into four brackets in terms of governance indicators. Knowing that you said you are not an expert on Lebanon, which policy recommendations tend to
