ARMENIA
Small Grants Program Winners Announced
The Armenia Country Office hosted an awards ceremony to celebrate the winners of the Small Grants Program 2006 on March 24. The Program was co-funded by the Open Society Institute - Assistance Foundation (OSIAF), doubling the overall grant amount. Six out of the 85 non-profit organizations that applied were selected as finalists to receive grant awards for the implementation of civic engagement-focused projects. World Bank Armenia Country Manager Roger Robinson and OSIAF Executive Director Larisa Minasyan signed the agreements with the grantees.
Armenia Office Holds Joint Portfolio Performance Review with Government
The annual Joint Portfolio Performance Review discussion with the Government of Armenia was held on March 10 at the Ministry of Finance and Economy. The event was co-chaired by Minister Vardan Khachatryan and Country Manager Roger Robinson.  Week-long discussions with various ministries of the Government followed, on the annual portfolio performance and its role in the achievement of the Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) objectives. This year, the Review was closely linked with the assessments of the CAS results matrix and laid the ground for the mid-term review of the Armenia CAS. The positive assessment of Armenia’s portfolio was endorsed by the Government of Armenia and the Bank team. New Report Shows Further Decline in Poverty in Armenia
The report "Social Snapshot and Poverty in Armenia" was launched at the National Statistical Service (NSS) on March 1. The results of the latest household survey reveal a further decline in poverty, which is affecting about one-third of Armenia's population. NSS director Stepan Mnatsakanyan praised the World Bank’s long and productive collaboration with his institution. NSS lead specialists and World Bank Senior Economist Aleksandra Posarac delivered presentations on the poverty situation in the country.Â
CROATIA Press Conference Highlights Port of Ploce Development
Representatives of the Croatian Ministry of Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development; the Port of Ploce Authority; Luka Ploce d.d.; and the World Bank jointly organized a press conference at the Ministry in Zagreb on March 20 to inform media about preparations for the Trade and Transport Integration Project which entails the development of the Port of Ploce. The Project is being prepared jointly by the Ministry and the Port of Ploce Authority, with support from the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The goal of the project is to improve the capacity and efficiency of the Port as well as the quality of services. Read more. GEORGIA World Bank Supports Financial Management Reform in Georgia
The World Bank and the United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Sweden pledged their support to the Government of Georgia by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on March 10 for a US$15 million project for Public Sector Financial Management Support in Georgia. Read the press release. KAZAKHSTAN Senior Country Economist Speaks on Inequality, Poverty Reduction
World Bank Senior Economist Pedro Rodriguez delivered a presentation at the United Nations Development Programme’s Poverty Theme Group meeting on "Inequality in Kazakhstan" on March 14. Based on the latest World Development Report, the presentation provided information about poverty and inequality in Kazakhstan and analyzed possible causes for growing inequalities observed in the context of economic growth and general poverty reduction. Participants included representatives of the Agency on Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan, various United Nations agencies, selected NGOs, and think tanks working on poverty reduction.
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC World Bank Officials Meet with New Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament
Acting World Bank Director for Central Asia Annette Dixon and Kyrgyz Republic Country Manager Chris Lovelace met with the new Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament Marat Sultanov on March 15. They discussed the current economic and political situation in the country and cooperation between the Parliament and the Bank. Energy issues were raised, including tariffs, privatization, and reducing commercial losses. The Speaker shared his plans for reforming Parliament. The parties agreed to have a larger meeting to further explore this idea with the participation of other interested stakeholders. World Bank Signs Health and Social Protection Loan
A Development Grant Agreement for US $15 million was signed between the World Bank and the Kyrgyz Republic on March 10 for the Health and Social Protection Project. Kyrgyz Ambassador to the USA Zamira Sydykova and ECA Vice President Shigeo Katsu signed the agreement. Also in attendance were World Bank Executive Directors representing the United Kingdom, Germany, and Switzerland and the Kyrgyz Republic’s representative at the World Bank. The majority of funding will be directed to the Kyrgyz Republic to co-finance implementation of the Government’s Manas Taalimi Health Reform Program, which is a continuation of the internationally-recognized Manas National Health Reform Program. Read the press release.Â
Bank Hosts Consultations with Civil Society
The World Bank hosted a meeting with representatives of 25 civil society organizations on March 7 to discuss preparation of the joint Country Support Strategy for the Kyrgyz Republic. Several donors have committed to develop a Strategy in order to improve donor harmonization and alignment and ensure more consolidated donor assistance to the country. This meeting opened a series of consultations with civil society which will take place later this year. Minutes of this meeting are available at the donors’ website: http://www.donors.kg
RUSSIA Education for All--Fast Track Initiative Meeting Held in Moscow
The World Bank Russia Country Office hosted a conference from March 13-15 to discuss progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goal of universal primary education by 2015. The gathering attracted nearly 60 donor education representatives. Russia’s Minister of Education and Science committed US$7.2 million to support the Education for All--Fast Track Initiative. In 2006, Russia assumed the G8 presidency and the co-chair of the Initiative. The majority of the discussions focused on improving access to quality education for the poorest children of primary school age, increasing donor financing for basic education in low-income countries, and ensuring that all low-income countries have access to lessons learned, technical advice, and capacity building. Read the press release. SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO Joint Porfolio Review Held with Governments of Serbia and Montenegro
The Third Joint Portfolio Review was held in Belgrade and Podgorica with the governments of Serbia and Montenegro on March 21 and 22, respectively. The World Bank team, which included World Bank Director for South East Europe Orsalia Kalantzopoulos, World Bank Serbia and Montenegro Country Manager Carolyn Jungr, and Task Team Leaders and Project Officers, provided an overview of the portfolio assessment and discussed critical issues regarding project implementation as well as factors affecting disbursement performance. In attendance from the government side were the Serbian and Montenegrin Deputy Prime Ministers, and representatives of related ministries and Project Implementation Units. Serbia Irrigation and Drainage Project Launched
The Serbia Irrigation and Drainage Project was launched in Belgrade on March 23. Head of the Directorate for Water within the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture Nikola Marjanovic and Country Manager Carolyn Jungr delivered an introduction to project goals and the sector situation in Serbia, with further presentations on technical details including procurement and environmental aspects. This US$25 million IDA project aims to improve the capacity for increased efficiency of agricultural production and to reduce the risk of damage from flooding to land property and infrastructure. The project will repair drainage facilities and flood control defenses. Read more. TURKEY Turkey Education Sector Study LaunchedÂ
An Education Sector Study prepared by the World Bank was launched in Ankara on March 17. Experts from government, academia, civil society, and international organizations learned about the findings and discussed recommendations for reform in three of the main areas examined in the study: preschool education, secondary education, and equity in primary and secondary education. World Bank Turkey Country Director Andrew Vorkink delivered the opening remarks. Railways Restructuring Project Loan Signed
The World Bank signed the loan agreement for the Railways Restructuring Project with the Government of Turkey on March 13. The project’s objective is to improve the financial viability, productivity, and effectiveness of railway operations in the country and align Turkey’s railway competitiveness with that of Europe. Country Director Andrew Vorkink also discussed the importance of Turkey’s transport sector to European integration. Read the press release. Turkey Country Economic Memorandum Launched in Ankara and Brussels
The latest Country Economic Memorandum (CEM) on "Promoting Sustained Growth and Convergence with the European Union" was launched March 6 in Ankara and March 9 in Brussels. Minister of Economy Ali Babacan attended the conference in Ankara and Undersecretary of Treasury Ibrahim Canakci participated in Brussels. Some 450 counterparts and participants attended the presentation in Ankara. In his statement, Andrew Vorkink stressed that the CEM contributes to the ongoing process of establishing a strategic vision on Turkey’s policy priorities during EU accession. The Ankara launch was followed by a seminar held at the Center for European Policy Studies for the EU Commission in Brussels.
UKRAINE Youth Open House Held
For the second time, the World Bank in Ukraine and the British Council have opened their doors to the representatives of youth and student organizations for a Youth Open House. This year the event, held March 28, drew attention to an important topic for Ukrainian students--the Bologna process, which is aimed at providing opportunities within the European area of higher education. Representatives of student organizations from all over Ukraine were invited to participate in this dialogue, along with the Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, and leading specialists from the World Bank and British Council. Read more.
UZBEKISTAN Update on Bank’s Engagement
A statement released by the Tashkent office provides an update of the Bank’s engagement in Uzbekistan. In pursuit of its engagement in Uzbekistan, the World Bank will seek to develop a new strategy focused on technical assistance, advisory services, and research activities, but without new lending. The Bank’s approach stems from concern that IDA resources are increasingly constrained and should be used in countries where the Bank can be confident that IDA-financed programs will have the greatest impact. The World Bank will maintain its focus on alleviating poverty in Uzbekistan by continuing to engage with the authorities on governance and economic recovery, and by reaching out to civil society. Press Conference Highlights Fight Against Tobacco Use
The Uzbekistan Country Office hosted a press conference on issues of tobacco use on March 10. Journalists heard from World Bank Consultant Ayda Jurekli, World Health Organization Senior Economist Douglas Bettcher, and other experts on tobacco use. Ayda presented the main findings of World Bank and WHO research in support of the initiative to develop a National Plan to reduce tobacco use. The research states that increasing the excise tax for cigarettes is one measure to not only reduce tobacco use, but also increase budget revenues. Ayda also discussed ways to prevent tobacco smuggling. A press conference was held following a seminar on the Economic Implications of Tobacco Tax Policy and Options on March 6-7, also in the Tashkent office.
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