World Bank Roundup

Brazil. Approved June 27: International Bank for Reconstructionand Development (IBRD) loan of $175 million to support the stateof Parana's efforts to improve social and economic conditionsin rural areas. The project will provide grants and technicalsupport for the implementation of decentralized and participatorysub-projects to: increase access to social infrastructure andservices; expand on- and off-farm income-generating activitiesfor subsistence farmer households; develop rural infrastructure;promote the adoption of improved natural resource management practices;and increase the competitiveness of small farmers. The projectwill also include a study to determine the potential scope forcost recovery of income-generating activities and subsequent recommendations.For more information, call Mario del Carril 1-202/473-6189, fax522-3698, e-mail mdelcarril@worldbank.org.

Cote d'Ivoire. Approved June 27: International Development Association(IDA) credit of $40 million to expand access to and improve theuse of health care services, make services available on a sustainablebasis and improve the ability of the Ministry of Public Healthto analyze health problems. The project will expand service deliveryfor a minimum package of health services, including nutrition,pharmaceuticals, training, reproductive health services and information,and education and communication services. The project's institutionalstrengthening activities will support the ministry, create informationservices to provide feedback on services, train prescribers inthe use of generic drugs, review training programs and strengthenpersonnel management. For more information, call Eric Chinje 1-202/473-4467,fax 473-7917, e-mail echinje@worldbank.org.

Kazakstan. Approved July 2: IBRD loan of $109 million to helpreduce production drops in the Uzen oil fields, generate reinvestmentresources, reorganize the Uzenmunaigas company and improve environmentalmanagement. The project will finance the procurement of equipmentand chemicals; replacement of flowlines; testing and logging ofwells; hiring of a contractor for workover programs; supplyingequipment, technical assistance, studies, audits and a pilot programfor environmental protection and cleanup; consulting and technicalassistance to Uzenmunaigas for improved financial, accountingand management systems; acquisition of computer systems and softwarefor financial and reservoir management; and project managementand training services and support. For more information, callJan Pakulski 1-202/473-1797, fax 473-3362, e-mail jpakulski@worldbank.org.

Mali. Approved June 27: IDA credit of $60 million to support governmentefforts to deepen fiscal adjustment and provide a stable macroeconomicenvironment conducive to private sector-led growth. The projectwill improve domestic resource mobilization and reduce distortionsin the existing system of direct taxation, and improve the efficiency,effectiveness and poverty focus of public expenditures. It willalso support measures to address gender-based constraints on accessto land and credit for women. For more information, call EricChinje 1-202/473-4467, fax 473-7917, e-mail echinje@worldbank.org.

Russia. Approved June 27: IBRD loan of $500 million to help thegovernment put in place a consistent policy and institutionalframework for the restructuring of the coal sector and to implementthe initial steps of the restructuring program. The project willsupport the progressive reduction and eventual elimination ofsubsidies for operating losses and investment, the redirectionof remaining subsidies towards restructuring and related socialprograms, and the establishment of a transparent mechanism forthe allocation and monitoring of subsidies. It will also encouragecommunity support and job programs in areas where coal-relatedunemployment is expected to be high, and help develop and implementmeasures to commercialize and de-monopolize the sector. For moreinformation, call Jan Pakulski 1-202/473-1797, fax 473-3362, e-mailjpakulski@worldbank.org.

Approved June 27: IBRD loan of $25 million to improve managementand build institutional capacity in the coal sector. The projectwill support the government's efforts to improve industrial relationsand social partnerships in the sector. It will provide programsto monitor social impacts in coal mining regions, consultant services,training, computer equipment, community support activities andjob creation programs. The project will also strengthen subsidymanagement to enhance transparency, and provide technical assistanceand training for commercialization and demonopolization of coalcompanies, environmental management and mine closure guidelines.For more information, call Jan Pakulski 1-202/473-1797, fax 473-3362,e-mail jpakulski@worldbank.org.

Sierra Leone. Approved June 27: IDA credit of $35 million to supporta new transport sector policy and strategy. The project will financecapacity building to expand institutional reform and strengthening,and increase the use of labor-intensive methods in road worksand maintenance. Specific project aims include: enhanced coordinationand support of a sector-wide approach to investments; privatesector participation in the privatization of the Road TransportCorporation, National Airlines and National Shipping Company;and enhanced regulatory capacity to improve management. The projectwill reduce operating costs, promote coastal and river transportand enhance air traffic safety at Lungi International Airport.For more information, call Eric Chinje 1-202/473-4467, fax 473-7917,e-mail echinje@worldbank.org.

Ukraine. Approved June 27: IBRD loan of $310 million to supportthe government's trade and price liberalization, privatization,capital markets development, and post-privatization restructuringprograms. The project will provide foreign exchange for the purchaseof critical imports and support the development of foreign exchangemarkets. It will also include the implementation of a privatizationprogram for 5,000 medium and large enterprises, as well as theacceleration of privatization of small-scale enterprises. Additionally,the project will support the creation of a legislative frameworkand institutions to regulate new capital markets, including asecurities and stock markets commission and a self-regulatoryorganization for market intermediaries. For more information,call Jan Pakulski 1-202/473-1797, fax 473-3362, e-mail jpakulski@worldbank.org.

West Bank and Gaza. Approved July 2: IDA credit of $25 millionfor a water and sanitation services project in 16 Gaza municipalities.The project will provide: an international operator under a four-yearmanagement contract to implement a service improvement program;operating investment funds for goods, equipment, works and servicesrequired for improving services; and technical assistance to strengthenthe newly-created Palestinian Water Authority, implement and monitorthe project, and provide independent auditors to monitor the operator'stechnical and financial performance. For more information, callJeannie Yamine 1-202/473-2318, fax 477-7978, e-mail jyamine@worldbank.org.