-          Global Development Finance 2005: Economic growth in ECA increased by 6.8 percent

-          Fight Against AIDS in ECA Gains Pace

-           Europe after the Enlargement

-          How to increase their private sector productivity and economic growth

Global Development Finance 2005: Economic growth increased in ECA by 6.8 percent Economic growth increased in the Europe and Central Asian region by 6.8 percent in 2004, while global growth reached 3.8 percent-the fastest rate in four years, says the World Bank's Global Development Finance 2005: Mobilizing Finance and Managing Vulnerability. In ECA, the growth reflects a positive international trade and capital flows environment, as well as the benefits of continued reform, including improvements in investment climate and governance across much of the region. For more information, please visit the news and events section on the ECA regional website

Fight against AIDS in ECA Gains Pace

Three high level events last month and on April 1 in Moscow supported a broad-based response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). A March 30 Russian Business Summit attracted Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov as well as Russian executives, the World Bank Group, the International Labor Organization and UNAIDS.  A March 31-April 1 ministerial meeting hosted by the Government of Russia, which included CIS ministers of health, justice, interior, development and social services, as well as NGOs and international organizations, resulted in a Declaration committing participants to a comprehensive response to the epidemic.  ECA has an estimated 1.4 million people living with HIV, with more than 80% of reported HIV infections in young people under the age of 29. 

For the Russian Business Summit on HIV/AIDS press release, please visit the news and events section on the ECA regional website . For more on the World Bank's work on HIV/AIDS in ECA, click here . For the AIDS Media Center, click here.

Europeafter Enlargement

Prospects for post-accession Europe is the subject of a conference organized by the Center for Social and Economic Research (CASE) in Warsaw, April 8-9. Participants are focusing on emerging opportunities and risks related to enlargement of the European Union.  Speakers include top-level researchers, analysts, and policymakers. Pradeep Mitra, Chief Economist for the ECA region, will moderate a session titled Economic integration and social inclusion in post-transition countries. The session will draw on research undertaken for ECA’s three flagship studies -- on poverty, trade, and labor markets -- due out late this year. For more information, click here.

KEF IV: How to increase ECA's private sector productivity and economic growth

The fourth annual Knowledge Economy Forum (KEF IV) took place in Istanbul from March 22 to 24. The event was co-sponsored by the World Bank and the Government of Turkey (represented by the State Planning Organization—SPO).  The general objective of the 2005 Istanbul Forum was to discuss with representatives from ECA countries how to increase private sector productivity and economic growth. The agenda for KEF IV was built on the findings of last year’s Forum and further explored topics that emerged as critical for increasing competitiveness and economic growth in the region. For more details on the Forum, please click here

Country and Sector News

Central Asia

World Bank Funds Central Asia AIDS Project, Releases New AIDS Study

The World Bank approved on March 16 a US$25 million grant for a Central Asia AIDS Control Project. The project aims to minimize the human and economic impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in four Central Asian countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The Central Asia AIDS Control project has three main goals: reduce the growth rate of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Central Asia in the period 2005-10; establish a Regional AIDS Fund to finance HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities in the Region beyond the end of the project; and contribute to better regional cooperation in Central Asia. A Central Asia AIDS study, which laid the groundwork for the four-country project, analyzes recent epidemiological data, calculates the potential economic costs of an unchecked epidemic, and details the need for surveillance, prevention, treatment and care. For more information on the World Bank’s work on HIV/AIDS in Europe and Central Asia, please click here

Albania

Country Assistance Strategy Consultations Continue

The CAS consultation process continued in March with meetings with local government and civil society representatives on March 18 in Kukes City, in northeastern Albania, which is one of the poorest areas in the country; youth organizations on March 21 during the Youth Open House; and members of the Civil Society Advisory Group on March 24. For more information, please visit the Albania country website 

Azerbaijan

Power Transmission Project Negotiations

The Country Office held negotiations on the Power Transmission Project from March 17 to 19. The proposed $48 million loan is the first IBRD loan to the country. The negotiations on a $20 million Poverty Reduction Support Credit (PRSC) will take place on March 23 and 24.

For more information on the World Bank’s work in Azerbaijan, please visit the country website

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Improving Employment Services

The Second Employment Support Project (SESP) team held a project launch in February. The project, which is a part of the Programmatic Adjustment Operation package, envisages further reforms aimed at improving employment services. The project will provide employment services to an estimated 10,000 vulnerable active job seekers. The project launch workshop offered an opportunity to continue the dialogue with entity ministries of labor and employment bureaus. It is expected that the first contracts for the provision of employment services will be in April/May. For more information on the World Bank’s work in Bosnia and Herzegovina, please visit the country website.  

Bulgaria

Grant for Municipal Child Welfare Services

Bulgaria’s Minister of Labor and Social Policy Hristina Hristova and the World Bank Country Manager for Bulgaria Oscar de Bruyn Kops signed a US$543,000 grant for Capacity Building for Management of Child Welfare Services on March 30. The Grant will provide capacity enhancement in the 10 pilot municipalities where the Child Welfare Reform Project is being implemented. For more information on the World Bank’s work in Bulgaria, please visit the country website

GEF Grant to Support Development of Bulgaria’s Energy Efficiency Market

An Energy Efficiency Project with the Bulgarian government was approved by the World Bank’s Board of Directors on March 22.  The Project is funded by a US$10 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund.  The project, which is a public-private partnership, will support the commercially oriented operation of the Bulgaria Energy Efficiency Fund (BEEF), which was set up to develop and finance bankable energy efficiency projects that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a sustainable manner. For more information, please visit the news and events section on the Bulgaria country website.

IDF Grant Supports Regulatory Reforms in Infrastructure

The World Bank approved a Grant of US$381,000 to support development of the new infrastructure regulatory framework in Bulgaria and enhance the capacity of the national regulatory agency. The Grant is intended to provide crucial support to the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC) in developing implementing rules for the energy and water sectors, model licenses and a fee schedule for relevant activities.  In particular, the Grant will finance the development of methodologies for the setting of prices, the development of quality of service standards as well as training of regulatory government staff. The official signing of the Grant will take place in April. For more information on the World Bank’s work in Bulgaria, please visit the country website.  

Croatia

Social Welfare Development Program Presented In Zagreb

Minister of Health and Social Welfare Neven Ljubicic and the head of the World Bank project team, Philip Goldman, presented on March 16 a €45.5 million project on the social welfare system. The main goal of the project is to reorganize and computerize the social welfare system—social care centers, homes, and aid centers—as well as to reduce their operational costs. The project will be financed by a €30 million loan from the World Bank, while the Croatian Government will provide an additional €14 million. For more information on the World Bank’s work in Croatia, please visit the country website

Macedonia

Real Estate Cadastre and Registration Project approved

The World Bank approved on March 15 the $14 million Real Estate Cadastre and Registration Project. The project aims to build an efficient and effective real estate cadastre and registration system, contributing to the development of efficient land and real estate markets. For more information, please visit the news and events section on the Macedonia country website 

Romania

President of Romania Meets James Wolfensohn

As part of his official visit to the United States, Romanian President Traian Basescu met with World Bank President James Wolfensohn on March 9. The meeting focused on Bank assistance in the run-up to EU accession and beyond. President Basescu underlined the strong relationship between Romania and the World Bank and recognized the importance of Bank’s knowledge and international experience in assisting Romania’s development. Mr. Wolfensohn assured President Basescu of the Bank’s continued commitment to help Romania achieve its goals in the context of the Country Partnership Strategy, which is under preparation. For more information on the World Bank’s work in Romania, please visit the country website

Russian Federation

World Bank Supports Better Weather Forecasting

The World Bank approved an $80 million loan for the National Hydromet Modernization Project on March 17. The primary objective of the project is to mitigate loss of human life and economic cost from adverse weather conditions through improved weather forecasts and traditional public service delivery. For more information, please visit the news and events section on the Russia country website

Country Progress Report Sets Stage for Transition to a Country Partnership Strategy

The World Bank's Board endorsed on March 17 the Progress Report on the World Bank’s CAS for the Russian Federation covering the period 2003-2006. The Progress Report presents an impressive record of achievements in all three CAS areas—improving the business environment and enhancing competition, strengthening public sector management, and mitigating social and environmental risks. For more information, please visit the news and events section on the Russia country website

Serbiaand Montenegro

MontenegroEducation Reform Project Approved

The World Bank's Board approved Montenegro Education Reform Project on March 31. The project aims to build the capacity of the education system to make continuous improvements, especially in the area of the quality of teaching and learning in schools and the efficient use of budgetary resources. For more information on the World Bank’s work in Serbia and Montenegro, please visit the country website

Turkey

Boosting Secondary Education

The World Bank Board approved on March 15 a €80 million Secondary Education Project Loan for Turkey. The main objective of the project is to improve the quality and economic relevance of secondary education in Turkey. For more information, please visit the news and events section on the Turkey country website

Role of Competition Policy and Turkey’s Investment Environment

The Turkish Competition Authority, TOBB, and the Foreign Investment Advisory Services of the World Bank organized a March 4 conference, “Role of Competition Policy and Turkey’s Investment Environment.” In his welcoming remarks, Country Director Andy Vorkink stated: “Turkey has made important strides in addressing various issues relating to competition, administrative, and regulatory policies. These measures have improved its investment climate. However, much work lies ahead to deepen and accelerate these reforms." For more information, please visit the news and events section on the Turkey country website

“Sustainable development is the road forward to improve global economic and social conditions” - Vorkink

Country Director Andy Vorkink spoke at the CEO session of the Sustainable Development Conference, organized by the Business Council Sustainable Development of Turkey on March 17. In his speech, he stated that sustainable development is not today’s development fad—it is the road forward to improve global economic and social conditions and the lives and livelihoods of citizens throughout Turkey. For more information, please visit the news and events section on the Turkey country website

Ukraine

World Bank Supports Reforestation Activities

A Policy and Human Resources Development Grant Agreement for preparation of the Reforestation BioCarbon Fund Pilot Project was signed in Kyiv on March 17 by the Deputy Minister of Economy, Luidmila Musina, and Country Director Paul Bermingham. “The Kyoto Protocol provides Ukraine with the opportunity to earn billions of U.S. dollars through carbon emissions trading and reductions,” said Paul Bermingham.  “Ukraine is one of the big winners from the coming into effect of the Protocol last month, and the World Bank is very pleased to be able to help Ukraine realize its benefits. For more information, please visit the news and events section on the Ukraine country website

UkraineWill Greatly Benefit from Re-Focusing Its Trade Strategy

Ukraine’s strong trade performance has made a major contribution to recent economic recovery and growth acceleration in the country, concludes the World Bank's Ukraine Trade Policy Study launched March 30. About 40 percent of total GDP growth in 1999-2002 could be attributed to the increase in net exports. Still, as the new World Bank study shows, the sustainability of recent export growth in Ukraine remains a concern. For more information, please visit the news and events section on the Ukraine country website

Uzbekistan

UzbekistanReceives Grant for Flour Fortification

The government of Uzbekistan launched a Flour Fortification Project to address iron deficiency anemia among women and children in the country. The project is financed by a three-year, US$2.8 million grant from Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, for which the Bank serves as trustee. Uzbekistan is the fourth country to obtain a grant for large-scale food fortification efforts from the Alliance. The project, which is expected to benefit around eight million people, will increase the number of mills fortifying wheat flour with vitamins and micronutrient from 14 to 48. Total production of fortified flour will likely double to 1.25 million tons per year by 2010.  For more information, please visit the news and events section on the Uzbekistan country website

New and Revised Project Documents Online

New project information document:

Albania - Natural Resources Development

Albania - Health System Modernization

Armenia - Municipal Water and Wastewater

Armenia - Urban Heating

Azerbaijan - Rural Environment

Bulgaria - Third Programmatic Adjustment Loan

Croatia - Renewable Energy Resources

Croatia - Social Protection

Croatia - Education Sector Support Program

Kyrgyz Republic - Water Management Improvement

Kosovo- Third Energy Sector Technical Assistance Project

Macedonia  - Real Estate Cadastre and Registration

Serbia and Montenegro - Pensions Administration Reform Investment

Tajikistan - Energy Loss Reduction

Tajikistan - Ferghana Valley Water Resources Management

Turkey - Seismic Risk Mitigation

Turkey - Health Transition

Turkey - Second Privatization Social Support Project

Uzbekistan - Basic Education