Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen;
I am greatly honored to address this distinguish meeting. I take this invitation as a sign of recognition of the WB leading global role in regional development, and of our work in Azerbaijan.
The WB global experience in the regional development is clear: when there are no opportunities in the regions, people look for opportunities somewhere else – they emigrate abroad or immigrate to capital cities. It puts unbearable pressure on the infrastructure and labor markets but does not solve the problems caused by lack of regional development. The lesson is clear: the government has to encourage and support regions in creating new opportunities for business, jobs, and improved quality of life. That is why the Bank has been and will support the State Program on Socio-Economic Development of Regions 2004-2008. Priorities of this program have been incorporated in CAS 2003-05 and CPS 2007-10.
The achievements in the regional development implements over the short time of few years have been impressive. However, because of the negative legacy of the past much more has to be done.
WB will support the Program by improving access to:
• Social services including health and education
• Infrastructure : transport, water and sewage, and irrigation
• Financial Services
• Judicial system and property registration
• Clean natural environment necessary for healthy life style, and tourism
• Advisory services (mostly for agriculture)
To meet these objectives the Bank has under implementation a number of projects and new projects with regional dimension are under preparation.
These efforts would not be possible without support from the international and bilateral donors.
I would like to use this opportunity to invite all representatives of the regions to visit the WB CO or invite us to visit the regions. We are interested to assist in implementation of regional project both financially and as advisors.
Thank you for attention.
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