Uzbekistan joined the World Bank and the International Development Association (IDA) in September 1992. The World Bank Group supports Uzbekistan's economic transition with a modest program of lending, technical assistance, and analytical and policy advice designed to support implementation of the government's gradual reform strategy. More in Country Brief World Bank's Country Assistance Strategy The last World Bank's Country Assistance Strategy for Uzbekistan for 2002-2004 has been completed. Currently the new CAS for 2006-2009 is being prepared and will be publicly disclosed according to the World Bank procedures. More on the Country Assistance Strategy for Uzbekistan Loans The World Bank provides different types of financing to countries. These include loans from the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and credits and grants through the International Development Association (IDA) - the concessional lending arm of the World Bank Group. The type of financing provided is determined by the country's level of need. The money that is borrowed by governments has to be used for specific projects and programs. More on Lending Grants A number of grant mechanisms also exist.While IDA has traditionally provided interest-free credit, it is increasingly providing grants to the poorest countries as well. In addition to these IDA grants, the Bank administers about a dozen grant programs as well as some 850 donor trust funds disbursing more than $1 billion a year. More on Grants Analytical and Advisory Services An essential part of the World Bank's contribution to development efforts in Uzbekistan is its analysis and advice. The World Bank's store of development knowledge, research, and technical assistance help identify priority areas and address development challenges. In addition, the Bank’s Development Economics group, led by its chief economist, undertakes the research that informs the Bank's work on broad issues such as the environment, poverty, trade and globalization. More on Reports on Uzbekistan Building Capacity Enhancing the capability within countries to sustain poverty reduction programs is a core World Bank function which has proven to be key to lasting results. Referred to as Knowledge Sharing, most of this effort is carried out through the World Bank Institute (WBI), which conducts programs to enhance the skills and development of its clients, staff, and partners. These take the form of courses, policy consultations, partnership with training and research institutions worldwide, and the support of knowledge networks related to international development. WBI is home of one of the world’s most extensive distance learning networks. Advisory Services are available for information and knowledge by topic—be it environmentally and socially sustainable development, health, nutrition and population, the financial sector, or law and justice. In some cases, toolkits are available for other development practitioners to use— for example in project design; management and monitoring; legal, financial, and procurement requirements; gender; food and nutrition; and resettlement safeguards. Preventing Corruption For external financing to be used effectively, it must be honestly and transparently managed. Since 1996 the Bank has begun more than 600 hundred specific anti-corruption programs and governance initiatives in client countries. The Bank’s approach is defined in its governance and public sector strategy paper, Reforming Public Institutions and Strengthening Governance: A World Bank Strategy. |
