1、Congressional Research Service ? The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20793January 22, 2001Multilateral Development Banks:Basic BackgroundJonathan E. SanfordSpecialist in International Political EconomyForeign Affairs, Defense and Trade DivisionSumma
2、ryAs a group, the multilateral development banks (MDBs) are the largest source ofdevelopment assistance to middle- and low-income developing countries. This reportdiscusses the organization and operations of the MDBs. It shows the share of theirlending by region and by economic sector. The report is
3、 based on preliminary data for2000. (The fiscal years for the regional banks ended on December 31.) It uses data for1999 (to mid-2000 for the World Bank) in several sections. It will be updated whennewer data become available. OverviewThe United States is a member of five multilateral development ba
4、nks (MDBs) as wellas two similar agencies. The five MDBs include the World Bank and four regional banks the Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank (AFDB), European Bank forReconstruction and Development (EBRD), and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).The two other organizations are the N