ALBANIA
World Bank Supports Improvements in Business Environment in Albania
The World Bank signed a US$9.3 million credit/loan for the Business Environment Reform and Institutional Strengthening Project for Albania on November 27. The new project blends IDA and IBRD resources of US$3.7 million and US$5.6 million respectively, making this the first IBRD loan for Albania. The project will support the Government’s efforts to strengthen the public sector’s capacity to improve the business environment to attract investments and foster exports. Click here for the press release. Central, Southeast European Leaders Agree to Cooperate on Reforms
Prime ministers and other high-ranking officials from 18 countries gathered for the Central European Initiative summit in Tirana on November 24. Representatives of various international political and economic organizations were also present at the summit, stressing the need to continue reforms, with the aim of speeding up integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions. Participants in the World Bank session were briefed on the 2007 Doing Business report and specifically the results and outcomes in SEE, the role of the Bank in financing infrastructure, and the IFC’s role in financing and advisory services. Country Manager Nadir Mohammed delivered a statement at the summit. The summit followed a two-day economic forum gathering some 900 businessmen and officials of European economic institutions in Tirana, focusing on possibilities for economic development and further investment in the region. Youth Initiative Launched in Albania
The Albania Country Office launched in mid-November the Youth Voice Initiative. The Initiative will include a diverse group of participants, such as youth from rural and urban areas, diverse geographical locations, various ethnic communities, and youth with disabilities. This group will examine World Bank programs in Albania to ensure that youth and children's issues are adequately taken into consideration.
ARMENIA
Bank Supports Community Participation in Armenia
The Armenian Social Investment Fund III Project, recently approved by the Bank’s Board, was signed on November 1 by Minister of Finance and Economy and Acting Country Manager Naira Melkumyan. The Project aims to support community investments in the poorest communities of Armenia through basic small-scale social and economic infrastructure rehabilitation.
BULGARIA
Roma Decade Moves Forward with Plans for Monitoring, Endorsed by EC
A new initiative by Roma organizations to monitor implementation of National Decade Action Plans, as well as a commitment to provide cross-country support using an international trust fund, were endorsed at the Decade of Roma Inclusion’s November 16-17 meeting of its International Steering Committee in Sofia, Bulgaria. “DecadeWatch,” a means to monitor the Decade countries’ execution of their National Decade Action Plans, is being prepared in the nine Decade countries by Roma researchers, supported by the Open Society Institute (OSI) and the World Bank. Cross-country support through sharing of best practices will be enabled by the Decade Trust Fund, to which Decade countries and international organizations such as OSI have committed funds. Click here for the press release.
CROATIA
World Bank Supports Development of Key Port and Trade Corridor
The World Bank signed a €58.8 million loan for the Trade and Transport Integration Project on November 20. The project was approved by the Board on November 14 and aims to develop trade along the Corridor Vc, one of the three major Pan-European transport corridors linking Croatia to EU markets, by improving the capacity, efficiency, and quality of services on the southern end of the Corridor, with a focus on the Port of Ploce and on coordinating among all corridor participants in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The direct economic activity generated by Port traffic represents about US$19 million per year for the port, the Croatian railways, and other Croatian transport intermediaries. The Port will place Croatia in the drivers’ seat as a regional leader to achieve greater economic integration of the South East European region. Click here for a related project story and the press release.
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
World Bank to Continue Project Implementation
Country Manager Roger Robinson met with President Kurmanbek Bakiev on November 23 to discuss cooperation between the Government and the World Bank. President Bakiev expressed his satisfaction with the level of cooperation with the World Bank, emphasizing the need to improve living standards. Roger updated the President on the status of the joint Country Support Strategy for Kyrgyzstan, in partnership with several donor agencies. This process is expected to be completed by late 2006. Roger also said that all World Bank programs will continue regardless of the outcomes of the upcoming Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) negotiations. Click here for more information.
RUSSIA
Participants Promise to Do More to Protect Forests
A Ministerial Conference on Forest Law Enforcement and Governance was held November 22-25 in St. Petersburg, where 43 governments committed to take action to address these issues. The nearly 300 participants included governments, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations such as the World Bank. Vice-President Shigeo Katsu stressed the importance of the conference for forest management. The Conference, initiated by the Russian Federation in May 2004, is part of a broader process to promote forest law enforcement and governance in the region, facilitated by the World Bank with support from government donor agencies. Click here for more information.
SERBIA
NGOs Invited to Apply to 2007 Small Grants Program
NGOs were invited on November 28 to apply for funding through the Small Grants Program for projects on youth, transparency, and public accountability in local service delivery that will improve social protection and access to public services for poor and vulnerable populations. The country office overall received US$35,000 for the Program. Click here for more information.
TURKEY
Workshop Looks at Immunizations in Context of Overall Health Reform
A regional workshop and policy forum on sustainable immunization financing was held in Istanbul from November 13-17. The forum, conducted by the World Bank in collaboration with the World Health Organization's Geneva headquarters and its Regional Office for Europe in Copenhagen, brought together policymakers to discuss the unfinished agenda for immunization in the region and implications for future financing and sustainability. The workshop helped participants build country-level capacity for planning and budgeting for national immunization programs. Click here for more information. Investment Climate Reforms Analyzed by Country Director
Country Director Andrew Vorkink spoke at a roundtable meeting organized by OECD on “Steps to Enhance Turkey’s Investment Climate” on November 6. Andy mentioned that the investment climate supports or hinders opportunities and incentives for firms to invest productively, create jobs, and expand output, affecting economic growth and welfare. Specifically, Turkey is in a race with other countries to attract investment and to bring new technologies, skills, and organizational methods that will promote growth, jobs, and living standards. Elements of a successful comprehensive investment program could include fiscal space policies, a labor market policy, increased efficiency and competitiveness in the financial sector, and increased technology absorption, innovative capacity, and an improved education system. Click here for the speech.
UZBEKISTAN
2007 Small Grants Program Launched
The Uzbekistan Country Office announced a call for applications for its 2007 Small Grants Program on November 12. The Program will focus on proposals from NGOs involved in facilitating in-country debate on economic policy and social policy issues, encouraging measures designed to improve public services and transparency and public accountability at the local level in relation to MDGs and poverty reduction. Topics involving young people are preferred. Click here for the press release. IFC Invests in Largest Private Bank in Uzbekistan
The International Finance Corporation signed an agreement on November 10 to provide additional financing of US$3 million and a technical assistance package to the Joint-Stock Commercial Bank Hamkorbank. Through its investment in Hamkorbank, the IFC is continuing its role in developing Uzbekistan’s financial sector and supporting smaller businesses, which are important sources of employment and economic activity in Uzbekistan. Click here for the press release.
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