ALBANIA
New Projects to Improve Roads and Land Administration Services
The Bank’s Board endorsed on February 23 a US$25 million Transport Project and a US$34.96 million Land Administration and Management Project for Albania. The first project will finance the construction of the Milot-Rreshen section of the Durres-Morine corridor, one of Albania’s most important roads, and improve access for rural populations. The second project will support the Government’s efforts to develop efficient land and property markets by enhancing tenure security and improving land administration and management services. Click for the press releases for the Transport and Land Administration and Management Projects.
ARMENIA
Additional Funds Approved to Fight Avian Flu in Armenia
The Avian and Human Influenza Facility, a multi-donor financing mechanism administered by the World Bank, awarded a grant to Armenia of US$2 million for the Avian Influenza Preparedness Project on February 14. This grant is in addition to a US$6.25 million IDA credit and a US$0.8 million Japanese Grant approved by the Bank under the Global Program for Avian and Human Influenza Control and Preparedness. Operations Analyst Artavazd Hakobyan gave exclusive interviews to RFE/RL and Armenian Public TV on developments under the Avian Flu project. Click here for the press release.
AZERBAIJAN
Country Manager Speaks on Regional Development at Conference
Country Manager Gregory Jedrzejczak delivered a speech on regional development at a conference dedicated to the third anniversary of the implementation of the State Program for Socioeconomic Development of the Regions, organized by the Ministry of Economic Development, on February 13. Gregory encouraged the Government to support regions in creating new opportunities for business, jobs, and improved quality of life in the regions. He emphasized that the World Bank could help in several areas, including social services and infrastructure. To read the full speech, click here.
BELARUS
New IDF Project to Bolster Environmental Protection
The Board of Directors approved on February 1 a grant under its Institutional Development Fund for US$440,000 to finance the project "Enhancing Institutional and Legal Framework for Environmental Permitting in Belarus". The grant will help create the legal and institutional basis for integrated environmental permitting, with the intent of reducing emissions and pollution.
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
Bosnia Launches 2007 Small Grants Program
The Bosnian Foundation Mozaik and the Bosnia Country Office launched the 2007 Small Grants Program on February 26 for the eighth consecutive year. The Program especially aims to assist vulnerable groups (people with special needs, minorities, youth, etc) in strengthening their position in Bosnian society. These grants range from 3,000 to 5,000 KM per organization. The competition is open until March 31.
CROATIA
Report Takes a Closer Look at the Poor in Croatia
Senior Economist Salman Zaidi presented the report, Croatia Living Standards Assessment: Promoting Social Inclusion and Regional Equity, on February 14, hosted by the President of Croatia and Country Director Anand Seth. While the report found that poverty in Croatia is quite low in comparison to neighboring countries, 11 percent of the population was below the national poverty line in 2004, and the level of poor people has remained virtually stagnant over the last decade. Croatia has one of the lowest employment rates in Europe at 54.7 percent, and job creation has lagged behind GDP growth and wages. The report also pointed out who is more likely to be poor (the elderly, unemployed, uneducated, etc.), and in which regions the majority of the poor live. Click here for the press release. World Bank Supports Croatia’s EU Integration Efforts
Task Team Leader Satu Kahkonen and the Croatian Finance Minister successfully negotiated the Second Programmatic Adjustment Loan for €150 million on January 26. The loan is the second in a series of reform loans to the Government of Croatia supporting its efforts to integrate into the European Union, a process requiring intensive structural and institutional reforms. The loan program supports the following reforms through three pillars: improving the investment climate; strengthening public administration; and enhancing the fiscal sustainability of sector programs. The Board is expected to approve the loan in May 2007 after the remaining goals are met.
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Country Director Discusses Bank Priorities with Kyrgyz President
Country Director Annette Dixon met with President Kurmanbek Bakiev on February 20 to discuss the Bank’s priorities over the next four years as part of the Joint Country Support Strategy being prepared with other major donors. They also discussed plans for the next Consultative Group meeting, to be held in Bishkek this summer. Both Annette and Country Manager Roger Robinson assured the Government of the Bank’s support of the Country Development Strategy, irrespective of the Government’s decision on the Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative (HIPC). President Bakiev positively assessed cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and the World Bank and asked the Bank to focus on unemployment in rural areas, which can be addressed by developing the food processing industry. Click here for more information. Joint Workshop on Carbon Finance Informs Officials, Developers
The World Bank and the Kyrgyz Government conducted a workshop and clinic on accessing carbon finance on February 5-6. The workshop was organized for government officials and local project developers who can benefit from the Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol. The workshop acquainted the participants with the Bank's role in supporting the Kyoto Protocol and how eligible countries and enterprises could benefit from the carbon funds managed by the Bank. Country Manager Roger Robinson opened the workshop, and Operations Officer Mirlan Aldayarov participated and is spearheading carbon finance efforts for the Bank in Kyrgyz Republic. After the workshop, a two-day clinic was held for registered project developers interested in pursuing carbon finance projects. Click here for the press release.
MOLDOVA
Essay Contest Invites Youth to Address Corruption
The World Bank and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched an essay competition for youth around the world. Essays should discuss experiences with and ideas for fighting corruption. The deadline is March 15. Click here for more information. Small Grants Program Focuses on Civic Engagement of Youth
The Moldova Country Office launched the 2007 Small Grants Program on February 1 on the theme of civic engagement for rural youth. The theme is aligned with the conclusions and recommendations of the 2007 World Development Report: “Development and the Next Generation,” particularly on youth civic participation and recognizing young people as decision-makers.
RUSSIA
World Bank and Rosneft Agree to Cooperate on Gas Flare Reduction
Country Director Kristalina Georgieva and the President of Rosneft signed a Letter of Intent on the joint development of a gas flare reduction project on February 16. The project could become one of the largest of the Bank's Carbon Finance operations. The project aims to reduce some 15 million tons of greenhouse gases that could be bought by the World Bank’s Carbon Finance Unit. Kristalina congratulated Rosneft on their leadership in this field. Click here for the press release. Russia’s Judicial Reforms Receive World Bank Support
The World Bank’s Board approved a US$50 million loan for the Judicial Reform Support Project on February 15. The Project will contribute to improving governance and the rule of law in Russia by increasing transparency and efficiency within the judiciary. It will also help foster a better business environment for private sector growth by improving the efficiency and predictability of the arbitration court system. Click here for the press release. Russian Villages Are Open for Business
A roundtable on small businesses and entrepreneurship in Russian villages took place at the Russia Country Office on February 5 and was jointly organized by the Association of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises of Russia. The roundtable gave Russian participants the opportunity to learn about international experiences and methods of rural development, and it also showed that achieving a broad and sustainable approach to diversification and business development in rural areas will take a lot of effort. Acting Country Director Oscar de Bruyn Kops and the Chairman of the Committee on Self-Governance co-chaired the event. Participants included federal, regional, and local government officials, representatives of the State Duma, think tanks, civil society, and media. Click here for more information. Roundtable on "Regional Development Institutions" held in Moscow
The roundtable "Regional Development Institutions" was held at the Russia Country Office on January 26, co-organized by the Ministry of Regional Development. The event was part of the All-Russia Conference "Regional Development Strategy.” Participants agreed on the need to seek effective interregional cooperation mechanisms and establish institutions to promote positive experiencea in successful regions for the benefit of those lagging behind. The Director of the Department for Regional Socioeconomic Development and Territorial Planning and Senior Social Development Economist Keith McLean co-chaired the event. Presentations were given by Lead Social Development Specialist Maria Donozo Clark, as well as by experts from the EU and Russia.
UKRAINE
International Experts Share Experience on Monitoring and Evaluation
A conference on international experience with institutionalization of monitoring and evaluation systems and its relevance for Ukraine took place in Kyiv from February 21-22. Participants discussed how the systems for monitoring and evaluation of performance of public programs and institutions can facilitate public sector reform, help increase effectiveness of public policies, and improve allocation of budgetary resources. The conference was organized by ECSHD in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of Ukraine, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and several Ukrainian think tanks. The conference brought together senior policymakers from Eastern Europe and other regions and leading international experts and practitioners. Click here for more information.
UZBEKISTAN Accessing Carbon Finance to Address Global Warming
A workshop and clinic on “Accessing Carbon Finance” was held in Tashkent at the International Business Center from January 30-February 1. The seminar was organized by the World Bank, led by Country Manager Loup Brefort, and the Government of Uzbekistan for government officials and local project developers who can potentially benefit from the Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol. Workshop participants were introduced to the role of the World Bank in supporting the Kyoto Protocol and how eligible countries and enterprises can benefit from the carbon funds managed by the World Bank. After the workshop, a clinic was held for registered project developers interested in pursuing carbon finance projects. The World Bank team provided technical assistance to the registered clinic participants on processing and documentation requirements of carbon finance projects. Click here for more information. Workshop, Press Conference Convey Aims of Education Project
A two-day workshop on the Uzbekistan Basic Education Project was held in Tashkent after the project’s signing on January 29. The workshop aimed to prepare the relevant agencies to implement the project effectively and to understand how the project will enhance the Ministry of Public Education’s programs. Workshop participants included representatives of the Ministry, the Republican in-Service Teacher Training Institute and its regional branches, and the Public Education departments of the seven regions where the project will be implemented. The Project will help improve the quality and overall cost effectiveness of basic education in the country. A press conference was held after the signing with Country Manager Loup Brefort and officials from the Ministry of Public Education. Click here for the press release. |
RSS