The purpose of the visit was to familiarize himself with recent economic and social developments in Azerbaijan, and to discuss the  progress and plans for the further cooperation between the Bank and the Government of Azerbaijan.

Mr. Shigeo’s visit  started on Sunday with a  trip to Kimyachilar in  Symgayit to see two sites of the community driven micro projects funded under the World Bank financed IDPs Economic Development Project (IDP EDS)(two rehabilitated schools and a community center).  

Subsequently he visited sites to be included in the  Absheron Rehabilitation Program currently under preparation – the Balakhani Landfill Site, the oil-polluted land  in Bina, and the Surakhani Iodine Plant polluted with the radioactive charcoal. "The Program is very ambitious,  oil pollutions have been taking place for over 150 years and the issue is so multyfaceted that will require efforts over longer period", said Mr. Katsu at his press conference.

During the next two days, Mr. Katsu met with ministers representing economic, social, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors. He also met with the deputy prime minister Ali Hasanov, Speaker of the Parliament, Mr. Oqtay Asadov, and concluded his official program with the meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Artur Rasi-zade.  During these meetings Mr. Katsu familiarized himself with the developmental challenges faced by the country in the context of the historically unique economic growth, and transition to the group of the middle income countries.

 Mr. Katsu had in-depth discussions on the current and future partnership program between the World Bank and the Government. The comprehensive program includes projects in the social and human development spheres, infrastructure, non-oil sector and regional development, as well as macroeconomic stability and fostering an enabling business environment. He was encouraged by the rapid expansion of the economy, and discussed measures to ensure sustainable long-term development. The meetings confirmed that the cooperation between Azerbaijan and the World Bank has been developing in an exemplary way and is build on the solid foundations  of trust and professionalism.

As part of his program, Mr. Katsu visited the State Social Protection Fund  (SSPF) of Azerbaijan to get acquainted with its advanced Management Information System set up under the World Bank financed Pension and Social Assistance Project. He was impressed by the progress  SSF made  over the last four years, moving the institution from abacus  to the newest generation computers based management information system. “I have just seen something that I am proud of being associated with”, he said in the meeting with Mr. Salim Muslimov, Chairman of SSPF.  “ I was able to also see for myself what it means to transform the whole system from no computers at all, to all the social security, social protection, pension records  processed  automatically".

Mr. Katsu’s program also included a site trip to the distribution center and one of the supermarkets of the Almali local food retail chain- a project supported by the International Finance Corporation. 

 The Vice- President also had an interesting discussion of the country’s current challenges and opportunities with representatives of the civil society, a group of businessmen, and of the donors’ community.

On the last day of his trip gave a press conference at the World Bank Public Information Center at the State Economic University attended by some twenty media outlets