ALBANIA Launch of Publication on Business Climate
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Energy organized a launching event on January 16 for the recently published "Removal of Administrative Barriers, On-going Process towards the Improvement of Business Climate," a joint work of the IFC’s Foreign Investment Advisory Service and Government of Albania. Most members of the Cabinet attended, and the Prime Minister stressed that one of the government’s priorities is to realistically work to improve the business climate in Albania, based on the findings and recommendations of the study and on the ongoing efforts of stakeholders. Deputy Country Manager Greta Minxhozi spoke on behalf of the World Bank Country Office. New Country Assistance Strategy Approved
The Board of Directors approved a new Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for Albania on January 10. The new results-based CAS covers the period 2006-2009, with a lending program up to US$86 million from IDA and US$110 million from IBRD. The CAS is based on two pillars: promoting economic growth through support to private sector development, and improving public services delivery, particularly in the social sectors. On January 17, a joint press conference was organized with the Ministry of Finance. Country Manager Nadir Mohammed highlighted the features of the CAS, its priorities, the consultation process for its preparation, and answered questions from the media. Click here for the press release.
ARMENIA Second Poverty Reduction Project Approved
A press conference at the Armenia Country Office on January 20 announced the newly-approved US$20 million Poverty Reduction Support Credit (PRSC II). This second project is a three-year program that will assist the Government in improving competition and entrenching property rights, mitigating social and environmental risks, consolidating macroeconomic discipline, and modernizing the rural economy. The project supports the policy and institutional reforms reflected in the Government's Poverty Reduction Strategy, and builds on previous Bank-supported structural operations. ECSPE Economist Gohar Gyulumyan outlined the four themes on which the program is based and detailed the practical impact of this project on Armenia’s current economic development. Click here for the press release.
AZERBAIJAN Highway II Project Approved
Azerbaijan’s second Highway Project, worth US$200 million, was approved by the Board on January 17. The project will help reduce road transport costs and improve access, transit, and road safety within Azerbaijan's East-West and North-South corridors, through upgrading of some sections of the Alat-Astara-Iranian border highway and rehabilitating the Baku-Shamakhi road, which provides the shortest access route to important farming areas in the west of Baku. Click here for the press release.
CROATIA
International Workshop on Decentralization Held in Croatia
A workshop on Decentralization and Public Service Delivery in Croatia, organized by the Government in cooperation with the World Bank, the European Commission, U.S. Agency for International Development and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Sigma program, was held in Zagreb on January 23. Key ministers spoke at the event, along with Acting Country Director Hermann von Gersdorff. Some 120 participants from Croatia, Poland, Slovakia, and Italy reviewed decentralization and fiscal relations in Croatia from both a central and local self-government perspective, and was followed with case study presentations of lessons learned from EU countries. The event concluded with a discussion about challenges and options facing Croatia in its attempt to advance decentralization. Senior Country Economist Sanja Madzarevic-Sujster presided over workshop. Click here for the press release. Pollution Control Project Grant Agreement Signed
Finance Minister Ivan Suker, and Acting Country Director Hermann von Gersdorff signed a Euro 1.940 million grant agreement for the Coastal Cities Pollution Control Project on January 17. The World Bank will supervise the technical assistance to support the Project’s implementation. The purpose of the Grant is to improve wastewater management and monitoring efficiency in the coastal area through technical assistance and consultancy services. The Project will cover approximately 10 cities and municipalities in Dalmatia and a dozen cities and municipalities in Istria and the Northern Adriatic, including the islands. Click here for the press release.
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Small Grants Program Open for Applications
The Small Grants Program for NGOs for fiscal year 2006 has started in the Kyrgyz Republic. The Program complements and facilitates the social development agenda of the World Bank in the Kyrgyz Republic through its focus on civic engagement. NGOs are eligible to receive up to US$3000. Click here for more information.
POLAND Rural Support Project Approved
The Board approved the Post-Accession Rural Support Project for US$88.8 million on January 24. The objectives of this project are to increase social inclusion in rural, underdeveloped regions by enhancing the capacity of local governments to identify, plan, and execute social protection strategies through a Social Inclusion Program; and to support agricultural insurance fund (KRUS) reform by enhancing the efficiency of the KRUS Agency, through strengthening its administrative and analytic capacity and improving its management and decision making process.
ROMANIA World Bank Supports Judicial Reform in Romania
Minister of Public Finance Sebastian Vladescu and Country Director Anand Seth signed a loan for Euro 110 million on January 27 for the implementation of the Judicial Reform Project in Romania. The project aims to increase the efficiency of Romanian courts and promote the accountability and integrity of the judiciary, contributing to reduced corruption and successful EU integration. The Project will support necessary investments in court infrastructure, administration reform, development of an automated judicial resource management system, and institution building. Country Manager Owaise Saadat, Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu, and other representatives of the Cabinet and media attended the ceremony. Click here for the press release.
TAJIKISTAN Infrastructure Project Approved
The Board approved the Municipal Infrastructure Development Project for US$15 million on January 19. This project aims to help the Tajik Government provide accessible, reliable, and good-quality basic municipal services for the population of the eight participating cities. Ensuring access to basic municipal services is an important factor in supporting the growth of local economies and reducing poverty. Click here for the press release.
UKRAINE Press Conference Held on Gas Price Agreement
Implications of the recent gas price agreement were discussed at a press conference at the Ukraine Country Office on January 19. Bank experts stated that the recently-agreed increase in gas prices will have a significant impact on Ukraine’s economy, though they can be mitigated by an appropriate policy response and institutional reforms. They emphasized that the shift to international market prices underlines the necessity, but also provides the opportunity, to undertake energy sector and economic reforms which can ultimately make Ukraine more efficient and a more competitive producer on the international marketplace. Country Director Paul Bermingham, Country Manager Dusan Vujovic, Senior Country Economist Mark Davis, and Senior Energy Specialist Dejan Ostojic participated. Click here for the press release. |
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