Moscow, January 20, 2012 — World Bank Vice-President for Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Philippe Le Houérou said the institution planned to expand its unique cooperation with Russia as he completed his visit to Moscow, where he met with Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov, Minister of Economic Development Elvira Nabiullina, the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrey Denisov, and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Stanislav Voskresensky. During his visit, Philippe Le Houérou also spoke at the Gaidar Forum «Russia and the World: 2012-2020» and introduced the new World Bank Country Director for the Russian Federation Michal Rutkowski who has replaced Pedro Alba. «The difference between the situation in Russia’s early transition in the 1990s and today is simply phenomenal,» said Philippe Le Houérou in his speech at the Gaidar Forum 2012. «Looking ahead, Russia needs to establish a new growth model to address two critical challenges: increasing the competitiveness of the economy and improving human development so that all Russians may benefit.» Based on the new joint Country Partnership Strategy for the next five years, the World Bank will continue cooperation with the Russian Federation at the global, ECA regional and national levels. The Country Partnership Strategy will support Russia’s efforts to: - Increase growth, modernization and diversification through better management of public finances, improved investment climate and innovation, a stronger financial sector, better infrastructure, and more effective protection of the environment;
- Expand human potential by strengthening skills and social services through improvements in the quality and efficiency of education, health, and social protection, including the pension system;
- Deepen Russia’s global and regional role related to Russia’s efforts as a provider of assistance to less developed countries and the provision of global public goods; and
- Improve governance and transparency through more accountability and better service standards in public administration, procurement, and financial management (as a cross-cutting theme).
Since 2007, the World Bank Group has cooperated with more than 30 of Russia’s sub-national governments in the framework of an advisory and reimbursable technical assistance program endorsed by the Government. The program has already, among others, helped the implementation of public-private infrastructure projects in St. Petersburg and Kazan, and strengthened healthcare services and local initiatives in the Kirov Oblast and pre-school education in Yakutia and Khanty-Mansiysk regions. The World Bank, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, will expand its cooperation with Russia’s regions through a variety of means such as analytical work, including reimbursable technical assistance, and lending. The World Bank has also cooperated increasingly closely with the Russian Federation at the international level, as Russia is emerging as a global donor. «As clearly stated in this new and innovative Strategy, the World Bank is proud to be a partner of choice for the Russian Federation,» said Philippe Le Houérou. Contacts:
In Moscow: Marina Vasilieva, +7495-745-7000, ext. 2045, mvasilieva@worldbank.org
In Washington: Kristyn Schrader-King, +1-202-458-2736, kschrader@worldbank.org |
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