BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
World Bank Approves New Funds for BiH
The World Bank Board approved one new credit and additional financing for two ongoing projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 19, with another project in the pipeline. These projects will be supported with soft loans totaling US$35 million. Activities that will be financed out of these credits include agriculture and rural development, forestry, urban infrastructure and service delivery, and preparations for a potential outbreak of avian influenza. The Agriculture and Rural Development Project will help BiH strengthen the capacity of the state and entity institutions in delivering more efficient and effective agricultural services and support programs. It will also help accelerate BiH’s eligibility to access money under the European Union’s Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for Rural Development. The Forest Development Project will help the country implement reforms in forest organization and management, including completion of the State Forest Inventory. The Urban Infrastructure and Services Delivery Project aims to foster deeper social cohesion through improvements in living conditions, as well as improving the availability, quality, and reliability of basic municipal services, in particular, water supply and sanitation. The Avian Influenza Preparedness Project will help minimize the threat posed to humans and the poultry industry by the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza infection.
Survey Shows BiH Business Environment Improving, but Still Lagging Behind the Region
A recent survey of some 460 companies from across Bosnia and Herzegovina showed some improvements in business registration and inspection reforms. However, it also signaled that the overall business and investment environment in BiH still lags behind the region. The survey was conducted by the PULS Company in April-May 2007, as a part of the Business Enabling Environment Structural Adjustment Credit, to assess the level of success of the implementation of the business reforms supported by the World Bank under this project worth US$44 million. Click here for the press release.
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Kyrgyz Republic Improves Sustainability of Irrigation
The Board approved an IDA grant of US$16 million for the Second On-Farm Irrigation Project on June 19. The project will help sustain and further expand the achievements realized under the first On-Farm Irrigation Project, which focused on the establishment, training, and support of Water Users Associations, in addition to supporting the rehabilitation and modernization of irrigation systems. The World Bank has been the Kyrgyz Republic’s principal donor for developing the irrigation and drainage sub-sector in the past ten years. The Project will be implemented nationwide, targeting some 500 Water Users Associations with further institutional development, and will assist with improving irrigation and drainage systems covering about 51,000 hectares. Click here for the press release. World Bank Supports Joint Country Support Strategy for the Kyrgyz Republic
The Board discussed the Joint Country Support Strategy for the Kyrgyz Republic on June 19. The Strategy is a joint effort of the Asian Development Bank, Swiss Cooperation, UK Department for International Development, the Bank, and the United Nations agencies. The Strategy is closely aligned with the Government’s development goals and aims to align partners’ support with the goals of the Country Development Strategy 2007-2010. The Joint Strategy presents the underpinnings of the partners’ support, reduces transaction costs, and ensures a coherent, well-coordinated response to support the implementation of the Country Development Strategy. The Government’s Strategy focuses on four strategic pillars—economic development, governance and transparency in public administration, human development, and environmental sustainability. In the framework of the Joint Strategy, the Bank’s program will focus on improving the environment for business and economic growth, as well as increasing the quality of and access to basic services such as health, education, and water and sanitation. Click here for the press release.
MOLDOVA
Small Grants Program Winners Celebrated
The Moldova Country Office organized an Awards Ceremony for the 2007 Small Grants Program winners on June 12. In addition to Country Manager Edward Brown presenting the winners with awards, the results of the 2006 Small Grants Program were also discussed. The topic of this year’s Program was “Civil Engagement of Rural Youth." Click here for the press release. World Bank Supports Improved Health Services in Moldova
The World Bank approved a US$17 million Health Services and Social Assistance Project on June 7. The project will assist the Government in reducing premature mortality and disability, and in improving the targeting of social transfers and services to the poor. The project has three main components. The first component, Health System Modernization, builds on on-going reforms in the health sector that form part of the National Health Strategy 2007-2017. The second, Social Assistance and Welfare, supports Government plans to improve the effectiveness of cash benefits and social welfare services in combating poverty. The third, Institutional Support, relates to the provision of institutional support for the implementation of the reform strategies. Click here for the press release.
MONTENEGRO
World Bank Approves First Three-Year Country Partnership Strategy for Montenegro
One year after independence and five months after Montenegro’s membership in the World Bank Group, the Board of Directors endorsed the first three-year Country Partnership Strategy for Montenegro on June 12. Supported by the concomitant opening of a full Country Office in Podgorica, the CPS, covering the 2007–2010, will support the Montenegrin Government’s overriding objective of ensuring European integration. It will focus its interventions in areas aimed at (i) enhancing sustainable economic growth; (ii) building public institutions and the rule of law; and (iii) improving the standard of living of citizens, through efficient education, health, and social protection systems. Click here for the press release.
ROMANIA
World Bank to Help Government Address Social Inclusion Problems
The Social Inclusion Project was officially launched on June 20 in a workshop hosted by the Ministry of Labor, Family and Equality Opportunity and the World Bank. The project aims to improve living conditions and social inclusion of some of the most disadvantaged groups in the country, including the 2.5 million Roma minority, children at high risk and/or coming out of child care institutions, persons with disabilities, and victims of domestic violence. "Romania has a difficult legacy of unsolved problems of disadvantaged groups that the Government is committed to address. This project is a continuation of previous work done with support from the World Bank that has been implemented with good results,” stated Minister Paul Pacuraru. Participants from the World Bank included ECSHD Sector Manager Herman von Gersdorff, Task Team Leader Richard Florescu, and Lead Education Specialist Ana Maria Sandi. Romania’s main priority is convergence with European Union member states’ living standards. Thus, it must focus on addressing social sector issues and mitigating the negative impact of reforms upon its most vulnerable people.
RUSSIA
Latest Russian Economic Report Looks at Regional Growth, Social Assistance
Russian Economic Report #14 was launched at the Russia Country Office on June 6. The press conference was attended by 26 Russian and international correspondents. The report focuses on Russian Regional Growth and Agglomeration Effects and Targeted Social Assistance. The report was presented by Country Economist John Litwack, and Country Director Klaus Rohland expressed his confidence that the report would help to address issues highly relevant for Russia's economy. The report has received extensive coverage in the press (more than 70 press reports, 4 TV interviews, radio interviews, and an oped in Vedomosti) and encouraged discussions among the Russian economic community. |
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