Even though multilateral loans may have behaved countercyclically with respect to private flows to Developing countries in the short term, these flows tended to complement private flows in the medium term by signaling, and often fostering, a better investment environment in the borrowing country

IBRD and IDA lending commitments appear to reflect variations in borrowing countries' need for external financing to meet debt service commitments. This is true during financial crises and more tranquil times, suggesting that aid may be more fungible than previously believed

Market placements by future receivables can allow public and private sector entities in a developing country to escape the sovereign credit ceiling and raise lower-cost financing from international capital markets. If planned and executied ahead of time, such transactions can sustain external...

Private portfolio flows to a country tend to rise in response to an increase in the current account deficit, a rise in foreign direct investment flows, higher per capita income, and growth performance. The most important determinant of official lending to a developing country seems to be the...