This book is a state-of-the-art discussion of what has succeeded (and failed) in the design and implementation of projects and institutions to assist the poor in developing country economies. In Africa especially, far too many people are still living under conditions of extreme poverty. The goal of the book is twofold: (1) to identify and assess the key processes through which markets affect the livelihoods of the rural poor; and (2) to propose micro- and macro-level policies and innovations to address the problems of inclusion that arise. Featuring contributions from leading scholars and professionals in the field, this volume is timely to all those involved in designing innovative institutions that transfer capital and technologies to low-income countries facing the challenges of poverty alleviation and economic development. Contents:How Can Financial Markets and Biotechnology Help the Rural Poor? (Ralph D Christy, Mark Wenner, Emelly Mutambatsere and Willene Johnson)Financial Markets and the Poor:Financial Development and Growth: What Role Can Foreign Capital Play? (Eswar Prasad, Ayhan Kose, Kenneth Rogoff and Shang-Jin Wei)The Securitization of Microloans (Vicki L Bogan)A Vision for Scaling Microfinance: More than Dollars and Smarts (Deborah Burand, Esq.)Innovations in Index Insurance for the Poor in Low-Income Countries (Jerry Skees)Biotechnology and the Poor:Overcoming Poverty Through Improved Agricultural Technology (Robert W Herdt)Agricultural Biotechnology in Latin America: Economic Benefits, Regional Capacity, and Policy Options (Greg Traxler)Biotechnology, Agriculture, and Food Security in Southern Africa: Strategic Policy Challenges and Opportunities (Steven Were Omamo and Klaus von Grebmer)Developing Country Options under TRIPS: Choices to Maximize Biotech Transfer (William Lesser and Deepthi Kolady)Foreign Direct Investment:What Matters to African Firms? The Relevance of Perceptions Data (Alan Gelb, Vijaya Ramachandran, Manju Kedia Shah and Ginger Turner)Making the Most out of FDI in Africa (Norbert L W Wilson and Malick Diarrasouba)Readership: Students, researchers and academics in development economics; practitioners involved in poverty alleviation strategies and in transforming developing country economies.