The World Bank group, among theworld's largest development institutions, is a majorsource of financial and technical assistance to developingcountries around the world. In fiscal 2009, the World Bankgroup sponsored 767 projects with a total commitment of$58.8 billion, distributed in credits, loans, grants, andguarantees. This fiscal year's funding marks a 54percent increase over the previous fiscal year and a recordhigh for the Bank group. The Bank group's investmentprojects are aimed largely at improving infrastructureservices associated with poverty reduction and enhancedgrowth. In fiscal 2009, the Bank group committed $20.7billion to infrastructure, a critical sector to provide thefoundation for rapid recovery from the crisis and to supportjob creation. The sustainable infrastructure action plan,launched in July 2008, will leverage up to $72 billion toprovide additional financing of up to $149 billion in publicand private investments over fiscal 2009-11. The Bankgroup's investment projects are aimed largely atimproving infrastructure services associated with povertyreduction and enhanced growth.