ALBANIA Country Manager Discusses Wide Range of Topics with Local Media
Country Manager Nadir Mohammed discussed Bank-related issues at a press conference on February 17, attended by local TV channels. He discussed topics ranging from the new Country Assistance Strategy governance filters, to public sector reforms, to avian flu. Click here for the full transcript.
BELARUS Small Grants Winners Announced
The Belarus Country Office announced the winners of the 2006 Small Grants Program. The Program supported four initiatives of Belarusian civil society organizations focused on activities related to the 20th Anniversary of the Chernobyl accident and aimed at empowering and developing small communities, encouraging inter-sector partnerships, and establishing basic mechanisms for cooperation between civil society organizations and local authorities.
CROATIA Sweden and the World Bank Strengthen Social Services Delivery
The Croatian Finance Minister and Country Director Anand Seth signed a Swedish International Development Agency grant in the amount of 15 million Swedish Kronor on February 21 to co-finance the Social Welfare Development Project. The Project aims to reorganize and modernize social service delivery and streamline and simplify social benefits and their administration. Click here for the press release. Positive Mid-Term Review of Land Registration Project
World Bank experts and Croatian government officials presented the Real Property Registration and Cadastre Project Mid-Term Review at a conference in Zagreb on February 16. The Review included a workshop with stakeholders to discuss the progress to date and plans for the remaining project period. The second day of the Review was the annual donors meeting. The project began on January 15, 2003, and is to be completed by September 30, 2008. So far, backlogs have been significantly reduced. Click here for the press release. World Bank Supports Agricultural Acquis in Croatia
The World Bank approved a US$30.14 million Agricultural Acquis Cohesion Project on February 16. The Project will enable Croatia’s agricultural sector to benefit from European Union accession. The Project will develop sustainable systems and capacities within the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management to ensure timely compliance with EU legal conditions in the rural sector and will support the establishment of a Special Accession Program for Agriculture and Rural Development Agency. Click here for the press release.
CZECH REPUBLIC
President Wolfowitz Marks Graduation from Bank Lending
President Paul Wolfowitz visited Prague on February 28 to attend a small ceremony marking the Czech Republic’s graduation from World Bank lending. While in Prague, President Wolfowitz also met with high-level government officials, as well as young Roma leaders from the region. Click here for the press release.
GEORGIA
World Bank Supports Stronger Energy and Transport Sectors in Georgia
The World Bank approved on February 16 the US$5 million Infrastructure Pre-Investment Facility Project, which will facilitate infrastructure investments that have strategic importance. The focus will be on the energy and transport sectors, reflected in the Project’s two components: technical assistance for the Khudoni Hydropower Project Preparation, and technical assistance for the preparation of transit corridor projects. Click here for the press release.
KAZAKHSTAN
Press Conference Highlights Successes in Aral Sea
A press conference in Astana on February 14 focused on the incredible success thus far of the Bank’s Syr Darya and Northern Aral Sea Project. The Northern Aral Sea in Kazakhstan has filled up years before predicted, after it was nearly decimated. Country Manager Loup Brefort, Project Leader Masood Ahmad, and a representative of the Ministry of Agriculture participated. The press conference yielded extensive news coverage, in both print and television. Click here for the press release.
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Youth Essay Competition Announced
The Kyrgyz Republic Country Office’s Public Information Center held a series of presentations in eight major higher educational institutions and three public libraries to announce the World Bank’s Youth Essay Competition. The presentations covered the Bank's activities in Kyrgyz Republic and information resources available to youth. Click here for the press release. Bank Supports Avian Flu Preparedness, Response in Kyrgyz Republic
The Board of Directors approved an IDA grant for US$4 million on February 9 for the Avian Influenza Control and Human Pandemic Preparedness and Response Project. The country is the first to draw resources from a US$500 million global facility. The Project will be co-financed by a US$1 million grant from the Government of Japan and will will help minimize the threat posed to humans and poultry by the avian flu and to prepare for, control, and respond to future outbreaks. In case of a declared influenza pandemic, the Project will finance emergency imports identified as necessary under a well-defined preparedness and response program. Click here for the press release.
MACEDONIA
Loan Agreement Signed for Railways Reform Project
The general manager of Macedonian Railways and Country Manager Sandra Bloemenkamp signed the loan agreement for the Railways Reform Project on February 10. In September 2005, the World Bank approved a EUR15 million loan for the Railways Reform project, which will facilitate the government’s efforts to reform Macedonian railways and improve its productivity and effectiveness.
MOLDOVA
World Bank Hosts Meeting of Moldovan Youth Organizations
The Moldova Country Office hosted a meeting for the Youth Voice Group and Moldovan youth NGOs on February 11. The objective of the meeting was to report on the activities of the Youth Voice Group for 2005 and establish partnerships between the Group and other national and local NGOs focused on youth. Representatives of about 15 national and local NGOs participated in the meeting. Country Manager Edward Brown welcomed the organizations and answered questions. The Moldova Youth Voice Group is a project financed by the World Bank since March 2004. The Group was selected through a national contest and is comprised of 13 youth from all regions of Moldova. Click here for the press release. Organic Pollutants Project Signed
The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and Country Manager Edward Brown hosted a press conference on the signing of the grant agreement between the World Bank and Moldova for the Persistent Organic Pollutants Stockpiles Management and Destruction Project. In December 2005, the Bank’s Board approved a US$6.35 million Global Environment Facility grant for the Project. The objective of the project is to protect environment and human health by safely managing and disposing of stockpiles of pollutant-contaminated pesticides. Click here for the press release.
ROMANIA
Workshop Explores Decentralization in Romania
The World Bank co-organized a workshop titled “Romania: Decentralization Workshop—Comparative Experiences” on February 20. The objective of the Workshop was to assess the progress in decentralization that Romania has achieved so far, and to provide a forum to exchange ideas on Romania European Union accession and decentralization strategies. The workshop also built upon the experiences of other European countries. The event was attended by 90 participants, including government representatives, local administration representatives, development experts, civil society representatives, and guest speakers from other European countries. Click here for the press release.
RUSSIA
President Wolfowitz Attends G8 Ministers of Finance Meeting in Moscow
President Wolfowitz visited Moscow on February 10-11 to attend the G8 Ministers of Finance meeting in preparation for the July G8 Summit in St. Petersburg. Mr. Wolfowitz spoke on the issues of trade, energy, and debt relief and called for successful completion in 2006 of the Doha Round world trade talks. Mr. Wolfowitz welcomed the importance placed by Russia on global development and pledged the support of the Bank to advancing the cause of development during the Russian G8 presidency. Mr. Wolfowits also met with a group of Russian and locally-based international journalists. Click here for the press release.
SLOVAK REPUBLIC
Slovak Republic Country Office Opens Public Information Center
The Slovak Republic Country Office, in partnership with the University of Economics in Bratislava, opened a Public Information Center (PIC) on February 27. The PIC was opened by the Minister of Finance, the rector of the University of Economics, and Country Manager Ingrid Brockova. The event was attended by more than 350 students, academics, and representatives of other partner institutions and was broadcasted via video conference to several other universities in the country. The presentation was followed by a reception with key potential PIC partner institutions.
TURKEY
Loan Signing for Secondary Education Project
The World Bank signed the loan agreement for the Secondary Education Project with Turkish authorities on February 22. The Project’s main objective is to improve the quality and economic relevance of secondary education in Turkey. The project will support curriculum reforms and teacher training, stronger career guidance and counseling programs, and raising Turkish education standards to international levels. Click here for the press release. World Bank Supports Improved Municipal Services
The World Bank, Government of Turkey, and Iller Bank signed the agreement for the US$275 million Municipal Services Project on February 8. The Project’s main objective is to support the Government’s sustainable environmental services in selected municipalities. The loan will improve the environment and quality of water, wastewater, and solid waste management services; strengthen municipal utilities; and support Iller Bank in the implementation of the Project. Click here for the press release. World Bank Project will Ensure Proper Gas Storage
The World Bank signed the loan agreement for the Gas Storage Project with Turkish officials on February 2. The project’s main objective is to increase the reliability and stability of the gas supply in Turkey by putting into place critically-needed gas storage and network infrastructure, and supporting BOTAS, the company implementing the project, in strengthening its operations as a financially stable and commercially-managed corporation. The loan will help build the first gas storage facility in the country. Click here for the press release.
UZBEKISTAN
Staff Brief Journalists on Bank’s Role in Water Resources Sector
The Uzbekistan Country Office hosted a press briefing on February 24 to inform local journalists about the World Bank’s activities in the water resources sector, particularly the Drainage, Irrigation and Wetlands Improvement Project. Country Manager Martin Raiser, Lead Water Resources Specialist Masood Ahmad, and Operations Officer Mahwash Wasiq briefed the journalists about the Bank’s participation in the implementation of the Aral Sea Basin Program and the Project. The Bank specialists then answered questions related to water issues and beyond. Click here for the press release. Sector Manager Elicits Discussion on Health
Health Sector Manager Armin Fidler visited Uzbekistan from February 7-10. The visit ended with a round table discussion on health sector reforms in ECA and a press conference. The participants in the round table included government agencies, representatives of the Joint Project Implementation Bureau, NGOs, researchers, and academia. Deputy Minister of Public Health Mr. Komilov took part in the event. Click here for the press release.
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