Argentina | World Bank

Argentina Supports World Bank’s Capital Increase

2009-11-05T20:43:00.000Z

Contacts:

In Argentina: Yanina Budkin

ybudkin@worldbank.org

011-4316-9724

In Washington: Sergio Jellinek

sjellinek@worldbank.org

+1(202) 458-2841

BUENOS AIRES, November 5, 2009. Closing a four-day visit to Argentina, the World Bank Vice-president for Latin America and the Caribbean, Pamela Cox, expressed the multilateral institution’s support for the Argentine government’s efforts in social areas and investments in public works and infrastructure, as a way to strengthen the country’s prospects in the post global economic crisis scenario.

After a meeting with Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, the head of state of Argentina made clear her support for a capital increase of multilateral development organizations active in the region, among them the World Bank (WB), that would allow them to continue providing the financial resources needed by Latin American countries to consolidate their economic recovery after being impacted by the global financial crisis.

“Multilateral development banking institutions –both regional organizations and the World Bank – have contributed resources that were vital in alleviating the impact of a crisis that came from abroad. It is critical that these efforts continue in time, and it is therefore imperative that they be adequately capitalized,” said President Fernandez de Kirchner.

Between July 2008 and June 2009 the World Bank committed US$15 billion in lending to Latin America and the Caribbean -almost tripling its volume of funding to the region. More than 40 percent of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s (IBRD) resources – the WB facility devoted to medium income countries– were assigned to Latin America and the Caribbean. A similar level of cooperation is expected this year.

The World Bank’s Cox emphasized the effort undertaken by Argentina to build an institutional architecture that is more in line with the realities of today’s world, underlining that “Argentina’s role in the G-20 has been key in elevating the voice of Latin America at the global level. It is acknowledging the 21^st century’s new reality, where emerging economies are no longer part of the problem, on the contrary, they are part of the solution to problems that affect everyone, from a financial crisis that they did not cause, to climate change.”

Cox, accompanied by Pedro Alba, World Bank Director for Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, also met Finance Minister Amado Boudou; Infrastructure Minister Julio de Vido and Health Minister Juan Luis Manzur; as well as Governors José Luis Gioja and Daniel Scioli.

As part of her trip, Cox also visited projects financed by the World Bank in the provinces of San Juan and Buenos Aires.

In San Juan, Cox and Governor Gioja looked at developing a World Bank program in the province aimed at promoting social inclusion. She also visited projects within the Additional Financing Small Farmer Development Project (PROINDER, in Spanish)[1] and the Argentina Rural Education Improvement Project (PROMER, in Spanish)[2].

In Buenos Aires province, she met Governor Scioli to assess the implementation of the Bank’s projects in the province and visit the Infrastructure Project for the Province of Buenos Aires, which, through a two-stage World Bank financing program of US$470 million, will contribute towards improving the provision of public service infrastructure in the province, promoting an increase in social equity through the improvement of infrastructure services.

The World Bank has a portfolio of 33 operations in Argentina, totaling US$5.5 billion, in the social, infrastructure, environment and economic development areas. As a global development institution, the World Bank offers a wide array of programs, innovative financing and knowledge exchange, all adapted to Argentina’s priority needs.

For more information on the World Bank’s work in Argentina, please visit: www.bancomundial.org.ar

[1] The PROINDER supports the improvement of the productive and organizational capacity of poor rural communities and the strengthening of the national and provincial rural development policies. The Bank supports the program through a US$75 million investment loan, granting a US$ 45 million renewal to enable the extension of the program to cover 72,000 households, from the 30,000 originally contemplated.

[2] The PROMER, financed with a US$ 150 million World Bank loan, supports the national government’s policy for rural education school materials, a priority area in the government’s educational policy that seeks to generate equal opportunities for all Argentines. The PROMER finances adequate training for rural teachers, school material and equipment supplies for students and teachers, and the improvement of rural school facilities.

The project Urban Transport in Metropolitan Areas has changed to Active

2009-10-29T04:00:00.000Z

The project Urban Transport in Metropolitan Areas has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The objective of the Metropolitan Areas Urban Transport Project is to improve the quality and sustainability of urban transport systems in Argentine metropolitan areas, through the improvement of sectoral decision making frameworks and by giving priority to public transport modes in the urban transport sector. There are five components to the project, the first component being creation of a Metropolitan Transport Agency (MTA) for the Buenos Aires metropolitan area. The objective of this component is to strengthen the capacity for transportation planning and management at the metropolitan level. This component will prepare the legal, technical, financial, and institutional conditions for the creation of a MTA. The second component is the urban transport improvements in Argentina's medium size metropolitan areas. The objective of this component is to enhance the mobility conditions of selected Argentina's medium size metropolitan areas. This component addresses sectoral issues such as the underinvestment in road maintenance and road infrastructure, increased traffic congestion in urban areas, the decreasing quality of public transport service and the limited intermodal integration. The third component is the public transport access and modal integration in Buenos Aires metropolitan area. This component provides an integral strategy to improve service quality by acting simultaneously on bus-train physical integration, accessibility to stations, railway signaling improvements, and rail-road crossings. The fourth component is the sectoral training: urban transport planning master. The objective of this component is to improve academic training in urban transport. The component will design a postgraduate program (masters) in urban transport including all the component disciplines such as engineering, planning, economics, etc. Finally, the fifth component is the project management.

Argentina: PTUMA – Metropolitan Areas Urban Transport Project

2009-10-20T21:55:55.000Z

WASHINGTON, October 20, 2009 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project:

Argentina: PTUMA – Metropolitan Areas Urban Transport Project

IBRD Loan: US$150 million

Terms: Maturity = 30 years; Grace Period = 5 years

Project ID: P095485

Project Description: The objective of the Metropolitan Areas Urban Transport Project in Argentina is to improve the quality and sustainability of urban transport systems in Argentine metropolitan areas. By the creation of a Metropolitan Transport Agency (MTA) for the Buenos Aires metropolitan area, the capacity for transportation planning and management at the metropolitan level will be strengthened. The urban transport improvements in Argentina's medium-size metropolitan areas will addresses issues such as the underinvestment in road maintenance and road infrastructure, increased traffic congestion in urban areas, the decreasing quality of public transport service and the limited intermodal integration.

Media Contact

Stevan Jackson

(202) 458-5054

Sjackson@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit: http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P095485

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

World Bank: Argentina receives US$150 million for innovative project to enhance urban transport

2009-10-20T21:04:48.000Z

Contacts:

In Buenos Aires: Yanina Budkin (54-11) 4316-9724

ybudkin@worldbank.org

In Washington: Gabriela Aguilar (202) 473-6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

Washington DC, October 20, 2009.- The Board of Directors of the World Bank today approved a loan for US$150 million in support of the Metropolitan Areas Urban Transport Project (PTUMA) to improve the quality and sustainability of urban transport systems in Argentine Metropolitan Areas.

“The project promotes the development of an efficient urban transport system that supports economic growth by allowing lower income population segments to access urban services, employment opportunities, and commercial facilities” said Pedro Alba, World Bank Country Director for Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.

The Metropolitan Areas Urban Transport Project will:

(i) Improve the physical integration and access to public transport networks in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area.

(ii) Support the design and creation of a multijurisdictional Metropolitan Transport Agency for the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA);

(iii) Improve the quality and performance of urban transport infrastructure and/or services in medium size Metropolitan Areas; and

(iv) Strengthen the institutional capacity of transport authorities in decision making, planning, priority setting, and resource allocation in urban transport;

Demands to public transportation have increased in Argentina over the last years. Public transport usage has grown in the case of the Metro by 19% and in suburban railways by 17%. In this context, the urban transport sector needs to enter a new phase in which significant infrastructure investments are carried out to adequately meet increasing demand.

The National Government has proposed a National Urban Transport Policy to set national guidelines to address macro challenges that cannot be resolved at the local level, and has given maximum priority to the public transport systems throughout the country and will continue to do so since they contribute to the development of the domestic urban markets. In this context, The Metropolitan Areas Urban Transport Project is a key tool to advance the government’s vision for the sector.

“The lack of a body to coordinate between jurisdictions makes it difficult to deal with transport infrastructure and services which inevitably span various municipalities. Deeply needed reforms, such as fare integration or the establishment of sustainable financing mechanisms not dependent on the current direct subsidies to transport operators, are difficult to address within the current institutional arrangement” said Andres Pizarro, World Bank Task Manager for the project.

The Adaptable Program Loan1 (APL1) will extend for the period 2010-2016 for a total loan amount of US$150 million

The World Bank will support the Metropolitan Areas Urban Transport Project by means of a two-stage Adaptable Program Loan (APL). The first stage of this program, approved today, provides a fixed-spread loan of US$150 million, payable in 30 years, including 5 years of grace.

For more information on Metropolitan Areas Urban Transport Project (PTUMA) please click here

For more information about the World Bank in Argentina please visit:

www.bancomundial.org.ar

Argentina - Urban Transport in Metropolitan Areas Project

2009-09-11T04:00:00.000Z

Argentina - Urban Transport in Metropolitan Areas Project

2009-09-08T04:00:00.000Z

Argentina - Road Safety Project

2009-09-02T04:00:00.000Z

Argentina - Coastal Contamination Prevention and Marine Management Project

2009-08-21T04:00:00.000Z

Ratings for the Coastal Contamination Prevention and Marine Management Project for Argentina were as follows: outcomes were satisfactory, the risk to development outcome was low or negligible, the Bank performance was satisfactory, and the Borrower performance was also satisfactory. Some lessons learned included: Federal states involve complex relationships and governance issues in terms of sub-national collaboration. Therefore, projects require greater supervision and coordination for successful implementation. The complexity associated with procurement processes for goods and services differed significantly between the provinces and the capital of the country. The distance between the provinces and the capital is a significant factor that must be considered before procurement processes are started. This project faced many problems because the more remote areas in the provinces lack equipment providers, therefore equipment purchases had to be done in Buenos Aires. In order to avoid unnecessary delays and to promote institutional strengthening, projects should create financial and procurement capacities in their own agencies. Monitoring and evaluation processes cannot be a 'paper' process overlooked during the project's design stage. They should be utilized primarily as a means to provide feedback and understanding to project participants during the entire project cycle.

Argentina - Road Safety Project

2009-08-20T04:00:00.000Z

The project AR Road Safety is now in the pipeline.

2009-08-20T04:00:00.000Z

The project AR Road Safety is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project AR- Provincial Road Infrastructure Project Additional Financing is now in the pipeline.

2009-08-05T04:00:00.000Z

The project AR- Provincial Road Infrastructure Project Additional Financing is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

Argentina - Additional Financing for the Provincial Road Infrastructure Project

2009-08-04T04:00:00.000Z

The project Heads of Household Transition Project has changed to Closed

2009-07-21T04:00:00.000Z

The project Heads of Household Transition Project has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Heads of Household Transition Project for Argentina aims to help: (1) reduce poverty by supporting the workfare component of the Heads o f Household Program, including continued improvements in Program management and governance; and (2) promote activities aimed at getting more Program beneficiaries into full-time employment, thereby enabling them to graduate from the Program. There are four Project components. Component A (the largest) would continue financing transfer payments to beneficiaries o f the Heads o f Household Program who comply with the requirement to participate in workfare or training/education activities. Support would also be given the Ministry of Labor to reorient these activities so that they contribute more to improving the employment prospects of beneficiaries. Component B provides grants for productive sub-projects proposed by small groups of Program participants. Component C covers activities related to the establishing and strengthening employment services in some municipalities and testing instruments to facilitate the labor market insertion of Program beneficiaries. Component D supports governance improvements in the Program, as well as Project management, and monitoring and evaluation.

Argentina - Third National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Project

2009-07-06T04:00:00.000Z

The project AR Third National Communication UNFCCC is now in the pipeline.

2009-07-03T04:00:00.000Z

The project AR Third National Communication UNFCCC is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Matanza-Riachuelo Basin (MRB) Sustainable Development Adaptable Lending Program has changed to Active

2009-06-13T04:00:00.000Z

The project Matanza-Riachuelo Basin (MRB) Sustainable Development Adaptable Lending Program has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The objective of the Matanza-Riachuelo (M-R) Basin Sustainable Development Project for Argentina is to improve sewerage services in the M-R river basin and other parts of the province and city of Buenos Aires by expanding transport and treatment capacity. There are four components to the project grouped under two broad macro-components; the first macro component is the sanitation. Investments in sanitation infrastructure including the left bank collector, the Baja Costanera bypass collector, the Riachuelo preliminary treatment plant, inflow and effluent pumping stations at the Riachuelo preliminary treatment plant, the Riachuelo outfall, the Industrial collector, and the right bank collector. The second macro component includes: a) support for industrial pollution abatement; and b) environmental territorial management. The industrial pollution abatement component include technical assistance to improve environmental monitoring and enforcement of environmental targets for selected industrial activities, as well as financing of cleaner production investments to enhance and support environmental compliance among polluting small and medium size enterprises. The environmental territorial management component include technical assistance for environmental land use planning and financing for pilot urban and drainage works. Finally, the fourth component is the institutional strengthening and project management.

The project Argentina Basic Protection Project has changed to Closed

2009-06-12T04:00:00.000Z

The project Argentina Basic Protection Project has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The objective of the Basic Protection Project is to increase the effectiveness of Argentina's income transfer programs for the unemployed and families with children, by improving selected design features and the transparency and accountability of the family allowances and Seguro program, and by transferring beneficiaries from other, less effective schemes and programs, to the family allowances program and the Seguro program. There are three components to the project. The first component of the project is the provision of Seguro grant. The second component of the project is the provision of family allowances grants. The third component of the project is a technical assistance component for monitoring, evaluation, and dissemination of social protection programs. The first and second component of the project will provide financial support to two of the social protection programs in Argentina with the highest current and potential impact on living conditions and human capital accumulation of two particularly vulnerable populations. The third component will provide technical assistance to improve monitoring capacity at the Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Seguridad Social - Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security (MTESS). For years, social policy designers and officials in Argentina have had serious limitations due to the lack of complete, reliable data on some basic indicators.

The project Argentina Basic Protection Project has changed to Active

2009-06-10T04:00:00.000Z

The project Argentina Basic Protection Project has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Prototypes related to the Production and Use of Hydrogen Fuel has changed to Closed

2009-06-10T04:00:00.000Z

The project Prototypes related to the Production and Use of Hydrogen Fuel has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

Argentina: Basin Sustainable Development Project

2009-06-09T22:12:41.000Z

WASHINGTON, June 9, 2009 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project:

IBRD Loan: US$840 million

Terms: Fixed-Spread Loan

Project ID: P105680

Project Description: The Matanza-Riachuelo (M-R) Basin Sustainable Development Project for Argentina aims to improve sewerage services in the M-R river basin, other parts of the province, and the city of Buenos Aires by expanding transport and treatment capacity. There are four components to the project grouped under two broad macro-components; the first macro component is sanitation. The second macro component includes: support for industrial pollution abatement; and environmental territorial management. The industrial pollution abatement component include technical assistance to improve environmental monitoring and enforcement of environmental targets for selected industrial activities, as well as financing of cleaner production investments to enhance and support environmental compliance among polluting small and medium size enterprises.

Media Contact:

Gabriela Aguilar

(202) 473-6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64312881&piPK=64302848&theSitePK=40941&Projectid=P105680

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

Argentina: Basic Protection Project

2009-06-09T22:10:55.000Z

WASHINGTON, June 9, 2009 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project:

IBRD Loan: US$450 million

Terms: Fixed-Spread Loan

Project ID: P115183

Project Description: The Basic Protection Project for Argentina aims to increase the effectiveness of Argentina’s income transfer programs for the unemployed and families with children and to create the preconditions for expansion of the safety net. The specific objectives are to: Help the Government to protect expenditures on core income transfer programs, at a time of increasing fiscal pressures; Support the expansion of the Seguro program (Employment Benefit and Training), aimed at increasing employability of unemployed and informal sector workers through temporary cash support, training, and job placement services. Support the Government’s strategy to reform the “Family Allowances” programthat provides income transfers to families of lower income formal sector workers, increasing transparency and accountability, and setting the operational pre-conditions for a possible expansion of coverage in the near future. Enhance the capacity of the Government to monitor poverty and social protection, through technical assistance for the design and implementation of a national “Social Protection Survey” and the improvement of analytical capacity.

Media Contact:

Gabriela Aguilar

(202) 473-6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&contentFed=yes&Projectid=P115183

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

World Bank: Approves Largest Sanitation Operation in Latin America for US$840 Million to Clean the Matanza-Riachuelo River Basin in Argentina

2009-06-09T17:51:21.000Z

Contacts:

In Buenos Aires: Yanina Budkin (54-11) 4316-9724

ybudkin@worldbank.org

In Washington: Gabriela Aguilar (202) 473-6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

Washington DC, June 9, 2009.- The Board of Directors of the World Bank today approved a loan for US$840 million in support of the Matanza-Riachuelo Basin Sustainable Development project. The loan will support the government’s Integrated Basin Cleanup strategy to progressively eliminate discharges to the M-R River, thereby improving water quality and environmental conditions.

“The Matanza-Riachuelo River Basin is the most contaminated urban river basin in Argentina and home to some 3.5 million people. The project will support an integrated approach to basin clean-up in the longer term. The World Bank is proud to be part of this long term process that supports state policies in Argentina to clean up the basin” said Franz Drees-Gross, co- Task Manager for the operation in the Bank.

"The financial assistance provided by the World Bank represents a turning point given its importance and the impact it will have on the basin. It will help decrease the environmental burden, social issues and industrial waste," said Homero Bibiloni, Argentina's Environment and Sustainable Development Secretary..

The Matanza-Riachuelo River is polluted by industrial pollution discharges, sewage from households not yet connected to sewerage systems, overflows from contaminated storm drainage systems and other sources. In order to address these, the Matanza-Riachuelo Basin Sustainable Development Project will:

· Improve sewerage services in the M-R River Basin and other parts of the Province and City of Buenos Aires by expanding transport and treatment capacity;

· Support a reduction of industrial discharges to the M-R River, through the provision of industrial conversion grants to small and medium enterprises;

· Promote improved decision-making for environmentally-sustainable land use and drainage planning, and pilot urban drainage and land use investments, in the M-R River Basin; and

· Strengthen the basin agency’s (ACUMAR) institutional framework for ongoing and sustainable clean-up of the M-R River Basin.

The proposed project has four components:

(i) Sanitation: Investments in sanitation infrastructure including the Left Bank collector, the Baja Costanera bypass collector, the Riachuelo preliminary treatment plant, inflow and effluent pumping stations at the Riachuelo preliminary treatment plant, the Riachuelo outfall, the Industrial collector, and the Right Bank collector.

(ii) Industrial Pollution Abatement: Technical assistance to improve environmental monitoring and enforcement of environmental targets for selected industrial activities, as well as financing of cleaner production investments to enhance and support environmental compliance among polluting small and medium size enterprises;

(iii) Environmental Territorial Management: Technical assistance for environmental land use planning and financing for pilot urban and drainage works; and

(iv) Institutional Strengthening and Project Management: Financing for technical studies to support project implementation; a communication strategy to inform key stakeholders; project management activities; and support for the institutional strengthening of ACUMAR.

The government’s medium to long term objective for the sustainable management of the basin is the progressive elimination of point source discharges to the M-R River, which would result in water quality improvements in a 15 – 20 year timeframe.

The World Bank will support the Matanza-Riachuelo Basin Sustainable Development Program by means of a two-stage Adaptable Program Loan (APL). The first stage of this program, approved today, provides a fixed-spread loan of US$840 million, payable in 30 years, including 5 years of grace.

For more information on the Matanza-Riachuelo Basin Sustainable Development Project please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P105680

For more information about the World Bank in Argentina please visit:

www.bancomundial.org.ar

World Bank: Strategic Alliance with Argentina for US$3.3 Billion Starts Today

2009-06-09T17:28:05.000Z

Contacts:

In Buenos Aires: Yanina Budkin (54-11) 4316-9724

ybudkin@worldbank.org

In Washington: Gabriela Aguilar (202) 473-6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

Washington DC, June 9, 2009.- The Board of Directors of the World Bank today endorsed the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for Argentina until 2012, and allocated US$3.3 billion for its execution. The Board also approved two projects, the Matanza-Riachuelo Basin Sustainable Development Project for US$840 million and the Basic Protection Project for US$450 million, totaling almost US$1.3 billion in new lending.

"We are working with Argentina to help maintain key social expenditures in the context of the global economic crisis and address longer term social and sustainable growth issues,” said Pedro Alba, World Bank Country Director for Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. “The new strategy is focused on supporting Argentina to advance its own development agenda, and the two projects are good examples of this support. The Social Protection Project will help Argentina strengthen its social safety net, while the Matanza-Riachuelo Basin Project will help the authorities address perhaps the most visible environmental challenge of the country.”

Economic and Public Finance Minister, Carlos Fernández, said “These operations allow the Government to strengthen counter cyclical policies to mitigate the impact of the international crisis.”

The proposed Country Partnership Strategy 2010-2012 (CPS) seeks to advance the Government’s development vision by providing strategic support in three key areas:

· Sustainable growth with equity

· Social inclusion

· Improved governance

Together with the Government of Argentina, it was agreed that the bank will provide support in the following areas:

· Upgrade infrastructure to address potential bottlenecks to competitiveness, and underpin medium-term growth and poverty alleviation.

· Improve competitiveness, quality, and exports of agriculture and livestock production.

· Address a growing problem of natural resource degradation.

· Consolidate and expand progress in reducing poverty by increasing household incomes and integrating marginalized groups into the productive marketplace.

· Consolidate improvements in health indicators.

· Strengthen the effectiveness, efficiency, transparency and accountability of the public sector.

· Expand performance management and improve the quality of public expenditure and enhance service delivery outcomes and trust in institutions.

Matanza-Riachuelo Basin Sustainable Development Project

Matanza-Riachuelo is the most contaminated river basin in Argentina and the most visible environmental issue in the country. The basin is home to Argentina’s largest concentration of urban poor. Of the approximately 3.5 million inhabitants in the basin, 1.2 million live below the poverty line.

The Matanza-Riachuelo Basin Sustainable Development Project will:

· Improve sewerage services in the M-R River Basin and other parts of the Province and City of Buenos Aires by expanding transport and treatment capacity;

· Support a reduction of industrial discharges to the M-R River, through the provision of industrial conversion grants to small and medium enterprises;

· Promote improved decision-making for environmentally-sustainable land use and drainage planning, and to pilot urban drainage and land use investments, in the M-R River Basin; and

· Strengthen ACUMAR’s institutional framework for ongoing and sustainable clean-up of the M-R River Basin.

The Matanza-Riachuelo Basin Sustainable Development Project is supported by a US$840 million fixed-spread loan payable in 30 years, including 5 years of grace. The loan is the first of two loans under a 10-year Adaptable Program Lending (APL) package.

Basic Protection Project

The Basic Protection project for US$450 million will increase the effectiveness of Argentina’s income transfer programs for the unemployed and families with children, by supporting the Family Allowances and Employment and Training Insurance (Seguro de Capacitación y Empleo) Programs.

”We are proud to support the Government’s efforts to continue building a strong and inclusive safety net to help mitigate the impact on the poor of the global economic crisis,” said Rafael Rofman, World Bank Project Manager.

Benefits under the “Family Allowances” program (Asignaciones Familiares) are targeted to low and middle income formal salaried workers earning less than AR$4,800 who represent approximately 85 percent of the formal labor force, or 30% of the households in the country.

On the other hand, “Employment and Training Insurance” is the Government’s main instrument for assistance to the unemployed. It provides beneficiaries with a monthly benefit for up to two years, ranging from AR$200-275. In addition, participants receive job search support through municipal employment offices and the network of employment services, including: labor intermediation services for public and private sector employment, basic and professional training, participation in training courses, and technical assistance for starting small businesses.

The Basic Protection Project would be financed by a US$450 million Specific Investment Loan (SIL) with 30 years maturity and a grace period of 5 years.

For more information about the Country Partnership Strategy please visit:

www.bancomundial.org.ar

For more information on the Matanza-Riachuelo Basin Sustainable Development Project please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P105680

For more information on the Basic Protection project please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P115183

Argentina - Buenos Aires Second Secondary Education Project

2009-06-02T04:00:00.000Z

Ratings for the Buenos Aires Second Secondary Education Project for Argentina are as follows: outcomes of the project were unsatisfactory, risk to development outcome was substantial, bank performance was moderately unsatisfactory, and borrower performance was moderately unsatisfactory. Some lessons learned included: changes at the federal level, which are beyond the control of the borrower, can have a major impact on the outcome of sub-national projects. The project's implementation was severely affected by the unstable macroeconomic conditions that prevailed in the late 1990s and eventually resulted in the country's collapse in December 2001. Likewise, the program was negatively affected by periodic strikes, chronic teacher absenteeism, and many other structural weaknesses of the Province of Buenos Aires (PBA) educational system. The experience of this project indicates that 'vertical' interventions focusing on individual schools need to be complemented with 'horizontal' interventions with a cross-cutting impact throughout the education sector. The project effectiveness and overall impact will have significantly improved if an intensive cross fertilization and systematic learning strategy had been conceived as part of the project's design. Such strategy will have permitted the identification and dissemination of best practices within participating schools and the PBA in general through training, workshops, seminars, technical assistance, demonstration events, conventions, and publications. The project's design and implementation strategy included clear targeting criteria to focus project activities in schools serving primarily high risk students to improve the equity of the basic general education system in then PBA. This helped ensure that the project benefited the intended population.

The project AR Rural Poverty is now in the pipeline.

2009-06-02T04:00:00.000Z

The project AR Rural Poverty is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

What went wrong with the recent reforms in the Southern Cone

2009-05-27T04:00:00.000Z

This paper describes and interprets the outcome of the reform packages in Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay during 1974-83. It is shown that all three countries experienced initial success with the rescue operation from the severe macroeconomic disequilibrium at the inception of the reforms. The paper then discusses the areas in which the reforms were successful and why the countries experienced boom bust cycles resulting in large increases in external indebtedness and internal financial crises. The paper attributes the failure of the reforms to a combination of policy inconsistencies, implementation difficulties, and market frictions. Jointly, these factors generated a sustained appreciation of the real exchange rate and a large spread between the cost of dollar-denominated and peso-denominated loans. In turn, the appreciation and interest rate difference created protracted opportunities for arbitrage that distracted firms from the business of production.

Argentina - Sustainable Industrial Development Project

2009-05-21T04:00:00.000Z

The project Argentina Sustainable Industrial Development Project is now in the pipeline.

2009-05-15T04:00:00.000Z

The project Argentina Sustainable Industrial Development Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Sustainable Indigenous Communities in High Valleys North of Iruya has changed to Closed

2009-04-16T04:00:00.000Z

The project Sustainable Indigenous Communities in High Valleys North of Iruya has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

Argentina - Basic Protection Sector-wide Approach Project

2009-03-16T04:00:00.000Z

Argentina - Basic Protection Sector-wide Approach Project

2009-03-16T04:00:00.000Z

Argentina - Rural Corridors and Biodiversity Project

2009-03-16T04:00:00.000Z

Argentina - Basic Protection Sector-wide Approach Project

2009-03-16T04:00:00.000Z

A firm-level chronicle crises in the Southern Cone

2009-02-23T05:00:00.000Z

This paper chronicles the recent emergence of financial crises in the 'Southern Cone' countries of South America. Relying on firm-level panel data, major changes in the macro and regulatory environments are linked to changes in firms' earning streams and financial structures. For each country, a 'boom phase', a 'squeeze phase', and a 'bust phase' are identified. It is argued that the proximate cause of this pattern was wild fluctuation in the expected real return on financial assets. Though no formal model is developed, it is suggested that these swings were due to the system of incentives created by rapid banking sector deregulation cum exchange-rate-based stabilization policies.

The project Argentina Basic Protection SWAP is now in the pipeline.

2009-02-18T05:00:00.000Z

The project Argentina Basic Protection SWAP is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

Argentina - Basic Protection Sector-wide Approach Project

2009-02-17T05:00:00.000Z

The project Rural Corridors and Biodiversity is now in the pipeline.

2009-02-13T05:00:00.000Z

The project Rural Corridors and Biodiversity is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

Argentina - Rural Corridors and Biodiversity Project

2009-02-11T05:00:00.000Z

The project Argentina Results in Education Project has changed to Dropped

2009-02-06T05:00:00.000Z

The project Argentina Results in Education Project has changed to Dropped. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

Argentina - Urban Transport in Metropolitan Areas Project

2009-02-03T05:00:00.000Z

The project Urban Transport in Metropolitan Areas is now in the pipeline.

2009-01-23T05:00:00.000Z

The project Urban Transport in Metropolitan Areas is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Argentina - Buenos Aires Infrastructure Sustainable Investment Development Project: Additional Financing is now in the pipeline.

2008-12-17T05:00:00.000Z

The project Argentina - Buenos Aires Infrastructure Sustainable Investment Development Project: Additional Financing is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

Consultations on the Bank Web Site

2008-12-09T15:37:38.000Z

Dear reader,

A few years ago, the World Bank’s Web site was noted as a leader among development organizations’ websites. As technology has rapidly advanced and user expectations evolved, our Web site too needs to change and adapt.

You come to our Web site because you are looking for the latest information on development. Our project information, data and research assist you in tackling your challenges or keeping up on the Bank’s activities.

Now we’re catching up. We are revamping our Web site and expanding our online capabilities to better satisfy our business needs and meet audience demands.

We’re examining all aspects of the site—content, technology, business needs and audience demands—to figure out what needs to stay, be improved or be removed.

This is a complex undertaking. We are currently gathering information to determine requirements for our future site.

Through our open online consultation, we are looking for comments from anyone who wishes to discuss their information needs and any difficulties they encounter with the site. The online consultation period ends on December 31, 2008.

All feedback we receive will inform the future design and functionality of the Web site by informing Bank management on audience needs.

Our ultimate goal is to make the Web site better support the institution’s mission of fighting global poverty and helping countries develop.

Your feedback will bring us closer to this goal.

Thank you,

Angie Gentile
Managing Editor, www.worldbank.org

Accounting for adjustment in selected semi-industrial countries

2008-11-25T05:00:00.000Z

This paper develops a modeling framework which is used to examine adjustment to external shocks in thirteen semi-industrial countries. The approach offers a unified treatment of trade adjustment as well as resource mobilization in public and private sectors, changes in the growth of investment and external financing. Associations between growth performance, external shocks, and reliance on alternative modes of adjustment are explored through statistical analysis. An open economy macroeconometric model, which is estimated for each country over the period 1963-78 and used to measure shocks and adjustment, is formulated. This allows intercountry comparison and provides benchmarks against which individual country performance may be assessed. The countries are classified on the basis of modes of adjustment in response to external shocks, and the results of cross-country regressions of growth performance against these modes are reported. Experiments with the model for each country are conducted to ascertain the macroeconomic impact of variations.

The project AR PERMER Renewable Energy Additional Financing has changed to Active

2008-11-13T05:00:00.000Z

The project AR PERMER Renewable Energy Additional Financing has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

This project paper concerns to provide an additional financing loan to the Argentine Republic for the Renewable Energy in the Rural Market Project, approved by the Board on March 30, 1999. The additional activities are expected to be completed by December 31, 2011, three years after the current closing date of the original International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) loan, which will be extended accordingly upon approval of the additional financing (AF) operation. The additional financing loan will help finance the costs associated with the scaling up of activities to enhance the development impact of the project in the period 2008-2011, the AF operation will support fundamentally the same objectives and type of activities carried out under the original operation, including those added pursuant to the amendments to the original loan agreement during the period of project implementation. The primary purpose of the AF operation is to expand the scale and geographical scope of the project. It is envisioned that it will support the installation of about 15,500 solar home systems, 21 mini-grids, 140 solar-thermal systems, 630 solar PV systems to supply rural schools and public services, 30 solar powered water pumps and 2 biomass generation projects in the period 2009-2011. The scale-up activities will also continue to support key technical assistance activities as well as project administration.

Argentina: $50 Million for Green Energy in Rural Areas

2008-11-11T23:45:22.000Z

Contacts:

In Buenos Aires:

Yanina Budkin (54-11) 4316-9724

ybudkin@worldbank.org

In Washington:

Gabriela Aguilar (202) 473-6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, November 11, 2008 — The World Bank approved today US$50 million to support the Renewable Energy in the Rural Market Project (PERMER), an innovative program providing clean energy to rural communities in Argentina.

Through this new initiative, more rural communities will be receiving reliable electricity using renewable energy technologies. An additional 15,500 new solar home systems will be built, and 140 thermal systems and some 630 solar PV systems will supply electricity to rural schools.

Thirty solar powered water pumps and 2 biomass generation projects will also be supported through this additional funding.

Up to now, PREMER has provided access to electricity to 8,000 homes and 1,900 schools with primarily solar and wind energy technologies.

“This is something that most of us take for granted, but think of the impact that simply lighting can have for a rural health clinic, a community center, a student at home, or a small business”, said Pedro Alba, World Bank Country Director for Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. “PERMER has proven to be an innovative and effective program for reaching poor rural communities throughout the country and providing them with electricity through green technologies”, he added.

Specifically, the Renewable Energy in the Rural Market Project will:

Provide rural areas of the participating provinces with reliable electricity supply using renewable energy technologies, when feasible;
Produce studies of energy alternatives;
Promote green business operations for rural energy in Argentina; and
Facilitate private sector participation in the provision of electricity in rural areas by improving provincial government capacities to regulate private sector participation.

According to Todd Johnson, Task Manager for the project, “Through PERMER, Argentina has put in place a new institutional and business model for providing remote rural communities with electricity for lighting, communication, and information technologies. The project has also demonstrated that renewable energy technologies such as solar PV systems are usually the least-cost way of providing electricity in remote areas.”

The Fixed-Spread Loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has a 15-year maturity and a 5-year grace period.

###

For more information on the Renewable Energy in the Rural Market Project (PERMER) please visit: http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P110498

For more information on World Bank’s program in Argentina please visit:

http://www.bancomundial.org.ar

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

Argentina: Renewable Energy in the Rural Market Project (Additional Financing)

2008-11-11T22:41:39.000Z

WASHINGTON, November 11, 2008- The following project was approved today by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors:

IBRD Loan: US$50 Million Dollars

TERMS: Maturity = 15 years; Grace = 5 years

Project Description: The additional financing has the same fundamental objectives as the original Renewable Energy in the Rural Market Project, namely: (a) to provide rural areas of the participating provinces with reliable electricity supply in a sustainable manner using renewable energy technologies, when feasible; (b) to support studies by the borrower of critical energy sector issues; (c) to assist in the development of sustainable business operations for rural energy in Argentina; and (d) to strengthen private sector participation in the provision of electricity in rural areas and to strengthen the capacity of provincial governments to regulate private sector participation. The additional financing will help finance the costs associated with the scaling up of activities to enhance the development impact of the project in the period 2008-2011.

Media Contact

Gabriela Aguilar Martinez

(202) 473-6768

gaguilar@worldbank.org

For project documents, please visit: http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P110498

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

The project AR-GEF Sustainable and Transport and Air Quality Project has changed to Active

2008-11-07T05:00:00.000Z

The project AR-GEF Sustainable and Transport and Air Quality Project has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Argentina Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Sustainable Transport and Air Quality (STAQ) Program, as well as the STAQ Program, concern to reduce the rate of growth of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport in Latin America through the promotion of less energy intensive and cleaner modes of transport. In addition, it serves as an example of how cites can tackle environmental problems, and implement sustainable transport policies through a national program, which at the same time builds on a larger regional program consistent with the programmatic goals of GEF operation policy 11 and the GEF strategic priority in climate change focal area (CC-6). The project will finance technical assistance and some pilot interventions in four selected metropolitan areas in Argentina to remove barriers for sustainable transport. The four sub-projects will co-fund measures in the three thematic windows. Window 2: better coordination and integration of transport and land-use planning and environmental management: technical assistance and measures to foster more integrated transport and land use planning to reduce the use of private motor vehicles, reduce trip lengths, and increase the accessibility to public and non-motorized transport. Funding is to ensure adequate distribution of different types of technical assistance across a range of cities. Window 3: modal interconnection, and effectiveness and efficiency of public transport: pilot investments, and technical assistance to facilitate the improvement of public transport systems and/or improve the effectiveness and interconnectivity of those systems with other modes of transport and induce mode switching away from the use of private cars. Funding for this window is in order to ensure that cities with different levels of capacity and at different stages in the planning process for public transport systems are represented. Window 4: non-motorized transport: pilot investments and technical assistance to better integrate walking and biking into the culture and planning processes of cities, and to create incentives for their use. Funding is reflecting the absence of a cultural tradition of bicycle use in the region.

Argentina - Biodiversity Conservation Project

2008-11-03T05:00:00.000Z

Ratings for the Biodiversity Conservation Project for Argentina were as follows: outcomes were satisfactory, the risk to development outcome was low or negligible, the Bank performance was satisfactory, and the Borrower performance was also satisfactory. Some lessons learned included: development is not a linear process, and processes need to be sufficiently flexible to adapt to changes on the ground. Although the project experienced some setbacks, including delays and difficulties during implementation, it managed to produce highly relevant impacts for the protected area sector by closing. The Bank, as an institution, should ensure that its instruments, philosophy and approaches to development are flexible enough to adapt to the changing country conditions, while maintaining focus on the project development objective. The creation of a protected area is a complex process that involves diverse actors and requires substantial coordination. In future projects, sufficient time should be allocated according to the complexity of participatory processed and taking into account the number of actors and decision makers involved. This is especially important in situations where a diverse spectrum of stakeholders are concerned (private land holders, intermediary agents, stakeholders, federal, and provincial governments). Participation is critical at all levels, yet it is time consuming and the outcomes are unpredictable.

Global Food and Fuel Crisis Will Increase Malnourished by 44 Million

2008-10-08T17:30:00.000Z

Contacts:
In Washington :Carl Hanlon 202-473-8087; chanlon@worldbank.org;
Philip Hay 202-473-1796
phay@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, October 8, 2008 – High food and fuel prices will increase the number of malnourished people around the world in 2008 by 44 million to reach a total of 967 million, a report from the World Bank says.

While food and fuel price increases may have moderated in recent months, prices remain much higher than previous years and show few signs of declining significantly, according to the report entitled “Rising food and fuel prices: addressing the risks to future generations”. Poor families around the world are being pushed to the brink of survival, causing irreparable damage to the health of millions of children. As families cut back on spending, there are also grave risks for the educational performance of poor children.

“While people in the developed world are focused on the financial crisis, many forget that a human crisis is rapidly unfolding in developing countries. It is pushing poor people to the brink of survival,” said World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick. “The financial crisis will only make it more difficult for developing countries to protect their most vulnerable people from the impact of rising food and fuel costs.”

The report, due to be presented on Sunday to the Development Committee at the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and IMF, says the food and fuel crisis could have long term effects on poor people and countries. Malnourished children cannot develop into healthy adults and become productive members of society who can contribute to the growth needed to lift themselves and their country out of poverty.

The report says priority should be given to a series of targeted measures. These include:

Making existing targeted cash (or near cash) transfer programs more generous;
Getting nutrition to infants and pregnant women;
expanding so-called ”in-kind” food distribution programs including school feeding and the distribution of fortified calorically dense food;
using fee waivers, lifeline-pricing and other forms of targeted subsidies for poor users/consumers; and
introducing additional measures to prevent children from dropping out of school, such as fee waivers, subsidies for school inputs, or cash transfers.

The report also argues that allocating the necessary amount of budget to finance an expansion of safety net programs may require pruning less-priority spending in other areas. But it notes that well-designed safety net programs do not have to be prohibitively expensive to be effective. Some of the most successful programs in the world cost well under 1 percent of Gross Domestic Product. Moreover, investing in safety net programs now will give governments new tools to address not just the current crisis, but future ones as well.

In May, the World Bank launched a $1.2 billion rapid financing facility to help poor countries cope with the food crisis. Since then, around US$850 million has been committed to finance seeds, plantings, and feeding programs. In April, Zoellick called for a New Deal for Global Food Policy that included short, medium and long-term measures to provide immediate help to poor people and farmers while increasing food production.

###

For more information on the Bank's work in nutrition, please visit: www.worldbank.org/nutrition

and for more on social safety nets, click here: www.worldbank.org/safetynets

Argentina: World Bank Approves $450 Million to Spur Productivity, Innovation and Shared Growth

2008-09-25T21:15:00.000Z

Contacts:

In Buenos Aires: Yanina Budkin (54-11) 4316-9724

ybudkin@worldbank.org

In Washington: Gabriela Aguilar (202) 473-6768

gaguilar@worldbank.org

September 25, 2008. Washington, D.C. - The Board of Directors of the World Bank approved today two lending operations totaling $450 million to support the Government of Argentina’s strategy towards increasing rural productivity in the regional economies of the country (areas outside of the Pampas) and supporting the development of a knowledge economy.

These loans are expected to accelerate economic growth, which, in turn, will contribute to employment generation, as well as poverty and social inequality reduction.

“We are pleased with the approval of these programs which are aligned with the objectives and economic fundamentals of the government’s policies” said Carlos Fernandez, Finance Minister of Argentina.

With the approval of these loans, the World Bank has committed some $2.7 billion dollars since 2006 to Argentina and will be considering approximately $650 million in new loans to the country before March 2009.

“These projects will contribute to enhance Argentina’s productivity through strengthening the agricultural sector and strengthening the knowledge economy in the country. We are proud to support the country in these areas which are instrumental for inclusive growth” said Pamela Cox, World Bank Vice-president for Latin America and the Caribbean

Second Provincial Agricultural Rural Development Project

The $300 million dollars Second Provincial Agricultural Rural Development Project (PROSAP II) will support investments in public infrastructure and services in rural areas, as well as complementary on-farm and off-farm private investments, in the Regional Economies. All investments will be aligned with the Provincial Agricultural Development Strategies.

The specific projects will be designed in each of the participating provinces with the involvement of key public and private sector actors.

PROSAP II includes two pilot initiatives:

Regional Development Initiatives, which will increase the competitiveness and commercial growth of selected micro-regions. The initiatives will stimulate public and private sector cooperation, and strengthen production-to-market integration through the development of value chains.
Innovation Transfer Initiatives. Developed by public-private innovation networks, these initiatives will promote the exchange of agricultural practices that improve the competitiveness and market access of small and medium-size producers. The initiatives will link knowledge institutions to producers.

Around 70.000 small and medium-size producers are expected to benefit from project- activities. This represents more than a third of all small and medium-size producers in the Regional Economies.

Unleashing Productive Innovation Project

The Unleashing Productive Innovation Project for $150 million supports the expansion of Argentina’s capacity to generate productive innovation in knowledge-based areas by creating highly skilled human capital; facilitating the creation of new knowledge-based companies; fostering private–public collaborations in the priority areas of information and communication technologies (ICT), nanotechnology and biotechnology; upgrading research-infrastructure; and strengthening the system’s overall policy framework.

INNOVATION CHALLENGES IN ARGENTINA

· Expenditures by Argentinean firms in research and development represent 0.14 percent of GDP), while in Brazil (0.36 percent) or Chile (0.3 percent)

· Venture capital industry is only $25 million in Argentina compared to $2 billion in Spain

· The number of researchers per million inhabitants (768) is less than Chile (823) and much lower than Australia (4098) or Canada (3921) countries who have successfully added value to their natural resource base

· The ICT industry projects a possible deficit of 19,000 highly skilled professionals in the sector over the next 5 years.

The project was designed to help overcome the current challenges in innovation. It uses the World Bank’s innovation knowledge to fill critical gaps in the innovation system according to priorities defined in Argentina’s National Strategic Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation.

The National Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation under the policy guidance of the newly created Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation will implement the project. A more efficient and dynamic innovation system will ultimately result in a more competitive economy and the creation of more productive employment for Argentina.

The Unleashing Productive Innovation Project will be supported by a $150 million fixed-spread loan, with a five-year grace period and 30-year maturity, while PROSAP II will be supported by a $300 million fixed-spread loan, fixed-spread with a five-year grace period and 30-year maturity.

###

For more information on the World Bank’s work in Argentina please visit:

http://www.bancomundial.org.ar

Argentina: Second Provincial Agricultural Development Project

2008-09-25T21:00:00.000Z

WASHINGTON, September 25, 2008- The following projects were approved today by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors:

IBRD Loan Amount: US$300 million

TERMS: Maturity = 30 years; Grace = 5 years

Project Description: The Second Provincial Agricultural Development Project for Argentina aims to support the Government of Argentina’s efforts to increase the productivity and profitability of small and medium-size agricultural producers with the goal of contributing to the improvement of agricultural competitiveness.

Media Contact

Gabriella Aguilar

(202) 473 6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

For more project information please visit: http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P106684

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

Argentina: Unleashing Productive Innovation Project

2008-09-25T12:45:00.000Z

WASHINGTON, September 25, 2008- The following projects were approved today by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors:

IBRD Loan Amount: US$150 million

Terms: Maturity = 30 years; Grace = 5 years

Program Description: The Unleashing Productive Innovation Project for Argentina aims to support the expansion of Argentina's capacity to generate productive innovation in knowledge-based areas by: (i) facilitating the creation of new knowledge-based companies; (ii) upgrading research infrastructure in the areas of science, technology and productive innovation; and (iii) strengthening the policy framework governing science, technology, and productive innovation.

Media Contact

Gabriella Aguilar

(202) 473 6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

For project documents, please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64312881&piPK=64302848&theSitePK=40941&Projectid=P106752

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

The project AR Matanza-Riachuelo Basin (MRB) Sustainable Development Project is now in the pipeline.

2008-09-12T04:00:00.000Z

The project AR Matanza-Riachuelo Basin (MRB) Sustainable Development Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

Argentina: Mining Environmental Restoration Project

2008-07-31T21:53:39.000Z

WASHINGTON, July 31, 2008 - The following project was approved today by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors:

IBRD Loan: US$30 Million

TERMS: Maturity= 30 years; Grace= 5 years

Project Description: The Mining Environmental Restoration Project for Argentina aims to (a) strengthen Government of Argentina (GOA) capacity to assess and mitigate environmental risks associated with closed uranium mines, processing sites, and related mining sector investments, in accordance with international good practice; and (b) reduce the potential harm to the economy and to human health associated with a closed uranium milling site in Malargue and Mendoza. The project will fund remediation works, including the safe disposal of 710,000 tons of tailings and soils, structures to prevent groundwater contamination and dust, and measures to abate radiation and radon emissions. The project will also support mine restoration planning and institutional strengthening, provide technical assistance to study and design remediation options to clean up the additional sites, and support the environmental and social consultation processes required as per international best practice.

Media Contact

Yanina Budkin at 54-11-4316-9724

ybudkin@worldbank.org

For more project information please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P110462

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

Argentina: World Bank Approves US$30 Million for Environmental Decontamination in Mining Sector

2008-07-31T19:11:16.000Z

News release No: 2009/037/LCR

Contacts:

In Buenos Aires: Yanina Budkin (54-11) 4316-9724

ybudkin@worldbank.org

In Washington: Patricia da Camara (202) 473-4019

pdacamara@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, July 31, 2008 – The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved today a US$30 million loan to support an environmental program designed to assist the Government of Argentina, specifically the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), to meet its legal obligations to remediate closed uranium mines and milling facilities in a permanent manner, consistent with internationally accepted standards for the safe disposal and handling of hazardous materials.

The Mining Environmental Restoration Program will finance investments to remediate the closed uranium processing site in Malargüe, Mendoza, and will provide technical assistance for the planning and engineering design of up to seven additional sites.

“The remediation and restoration of closed mine sites is a relatively new undertaking in Argentina ; therefore there is little experience with mine closure and clean-up. The project will ensure that the legacy of past mining sector activities and closings are conducted according to international best practice and with proper consultation and monitoring procedures,” said Pedro Alba, World Bank Country Director for Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.

The initiative will contribute to:

Develop CNEA's environmental management capacity to plan and carry out sustainable and technically sound remediation interventions throughout the uranium sector;
Support technically, environmentally, and socially responsible planning of the remediation needs of seven sites across the country, using the Malargüe site as a pilot for actual implementation of such remediation activities; and
Introduce concepts of environmental risk management more broadly in the mining sector, including in the Secretariat of Environment and Secretariat of Mining.

“We will be working with CNEA, government agencies and local environmental organizations to ensure the full and active participation of communities affected by the legacy of abandoned mine sites,” said Glenn Morgan, World Bank task team leader for the project.

The Argentine mining sector represents an important component of the country’s private sector investment and is currently booming as a result of high commodity prices, competitive exchange rates, sector liberalization, and streamlining of federal and provincial administrative procedures. The World Bank is very pleased to support Argentina in improving its management of environmental risks in the mining sector.

The US$30 million fixed-spread loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has a maturity of 30 years, including a five-year grace period.

###

For more information about this project please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P110462

For more information on the World Bank’s work in Argentina please visit:

http://www.worldbank.org/ar

Argentina Social and Fiscal Identification System - APL 2

2008-07-10T16:57:04.000Z

WASHINGTON, July 10, 2008- The following project was approved today by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors:

IBRD LOAN: US$20.0 Million

TERMS: Maturity = 30 years; Grace Period = 5 years

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The objective of the Second Social and Fiscal National Identification System (SINTyS) Project is to improve public sector management at all levels of government, enhance the efficiency of social expenditures, and reduce tax evasion.

For more information, please call Gabriela Aguilar at (202) 473-6768 or e-mail at gaguilar2@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit: http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P101171

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

Global Environment Facility (GEF) and World Bank Donate US$15 Million to Support Energy Efficiency In Argentina

2008-06-26T22:31:27.000Z

Contacts:

In Buenos Aires: Yanina Budkin (54-11) 4316-9724

ybudkin@worldbank.org

In Washington: Gabriela Aguilar (202) 473-6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2008. - The World Bank approved today a US$15 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with the aim to increase the efficiency in the use of energy and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions inArgentina.

This project will help establish regulatory and policy measures, scale up the efforts to phase out inefficient lighting, disseminate information and develop financial risk reduction instruments needed to promote energy efficiency.

“With this grant, we are contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by helping remove the regulatory, financial, and informational barriers that prevent activities and investments in energy efficiency and energy conservation” said Pedro Alba, World Bank Country Director for Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.

These objectives will be achieved by:

(a) Developing a solid pipeline of bankable energy efficiency projects in the industrial and commercial sectors;

(b) Supporting an efficient lighting program implemented through electric utilities; and

Argentina is the fourth-largest consumer of energy in Latin America, second only to Venezuela in per capita energy consumption. Total installed capacity in 2006 was 24,046 MW, 54 percent of which was thermal, 41 percent hydro power and four percent nuclear, with less than 0.1 percent renewable. Argentina’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 44 percent between 2003 and 2007. This high level of economic growth has led to a corresponding increase in the demand for energy, which is projected to grow by more than five percent per year.

“Argentina has embarked upon a concerted effort to improve energy efficiency, thereby helping to reduce the need for incremental generation capacity, creating financial savings for the consumers, and ultimately reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by reducing the need for fossil fuel-based generation” says Xiaoping Wang, World Bank task manager of the project.

This project is financed by a US$15 million Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant and will be implemented over a six-year period.

###

For more information about this project please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?Projectid=P090119&theSitePK=40941&pagePK=64283627&menuPK=228424&piPK=73230

For more information on the World Bank’s work in Argentina please visit:

http://www.worldbank.org/ar

About the Global Environmental Facility:

The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) unites 178 countries in partnership with international institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives. Today the GEF is the largest funder of projects to improve the global environment. An independent financial organization, the GEF provides grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants.

Since 1991, GEF has achieved a strong track record with developing countries and countries with economies in transition, providing US$7.6 billion in grants and leveraging US$30.6 billion in co-financing for over 2,000 projects in more than 165 countries.

Argentina: Energy Efficiency Project

2008-06-26T18:50:00.000Z

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2008- The following project was approved today by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors:

GEF Grant: US$15.155 million

Project Description: This project aims to increase the efficiency in the use of energy by developing a sustainable and growing market for energy efficiency services and equipment in Argentina. The project consists o f three components: (1) development of the Argentina Energy Efficiency Fund (AEEF), and a related grant facility to finance preparation of a pipeline of projects; (2) development of a Utility EE program focused on efficient lighting; and (3) capacity building in the area of EE, as well as support for project management.

For more information, please call Gabriela Aguilar at (202) 473-6768 or e-mail at gaguilar2@worldbank.org

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

New report on economic growth offers lessons on achieving sustained, high economic growth

2008-05-21T17:11:32.000Z

Contacts:

In Washington:

Maya Brahmam at +1-202-473-6231 or email at mbrahmam@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2008 – The World Bank Group welcomes a new report by the independent Commission on Growth and Development, a global panel of eminent experts, which reveals important lessons from countries that have achieved high, long-term economic growth. The experts say the lessons learned could help policy makers in developing countries as they seek to set their countries on a steady growth path.

The Growth Report: Strategies for Sustained Growth and Inclusive Development says integration into the world economy, maintaining high rates of savings and investment, and committed, capable governments are among the key features of countries that have sustained growth rates above 7 percent for 25 uninterrupted years since World War II.

"This report underscores to the development community that one size doesn’t fit all." said World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick. I am especially pleased that it draws on input from first class practitioners and leaders who have hands-on pragmatic and practical experience of making inclusive development a success. This will help enrich the thinking and practice of the World Bank Group as well as others in the development field.” “

High, long-lasting growth is not easily achieved, but the report by some of the world’s top policy-makers and thinkers, believes it can be reproduced in developing countries, giving them a chance to reduce poverty and improve opportunity and quality of life for their citizens.

“We are acutely aware that there are no silver bullets to create long-running, inclusive growth, and that no single paradigm exists,” says Commission Vice Chair Danny Leipziger, who is also Vice President for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management at the World Bank. “While seeking to identify those key elements that can lead to long running and inclusive growth, the report is clear that policy makers will need to customize and experiment with polices rather than follow any rigid set of guidelines.”

Commission Chairman Michael Spence said: " What makes the report so unique is that it was prepared by policymakers, many from developing countries, who have been in the trenches themselves and have learned what works and why. It is these commissioners who are now providing their insights to the next generation of policymakers on ways to improve growth prospects and the quality of life in the poor parts of the globe."

Spence is one of two Nobel Laureates on the 21-member commission comprising leaders from business, government and academia. The Commissioners come from 18 countries that include a broad mix of developing, emerging and developed economies, as well as small island states and populous, large countries.

###

To download full report click here:

http://www.growthcommission.org/