Kazakhstan-KZ | World Bank

Kazakhstan - Second Irrigation and Drainage Improvement Project

Kazakhstan - Alma Transmission Project

Land acquisition policy framework

The objective of the Alma Electricity Transmission Project in Kazakhstan is to secure the availability of the power supply in Almaty region and the delivery of power from YuKGRES substation (SS). Some of the negative impacts and their mitigation measures are as follows: 1) avoid or minimize land acquisition and resettlement. Kazakhstan Electricity Grid Operating Company (KEGOC) confirms that no persons will be displaced or relocated under the project; 2) affected persons are entitled to be compensated at full replacement cost for their lost assets, incomes and businesses, including temporary losses or impacts, without adjustments for depreciation; 3) compensation will enable affected persons to restore their pre-project incomes and standard of living; 4) affected persons will be consulted; 5) affected persons will be fully informed of their compensation options; 6) land-for-land swap is the preferred compensation for lost agricultural land, if it is available, unless the affected person chooses cash compensation; 7) compensation will be made giving equal consideration to women and men; 8) special attention will be given to households headed by women and other vulnerable persons and appropriate assistance provided to assure that their living standards are maintained or improved; 9) land acquisition is executed as part of the project and fully funded; and 10) compensation will be fully provided before land can be entered for civil works or demolition.

Kazakhstan - Alma Electricity Transmission Project : land Acquisition policy framework

Environmental management plan

Status of projects in execution (SOPE) - FY09 : Europe and Central Asia region - Kazakhstan

The Status of Projects in Execution (SOPE) report for FY09 provides information on all International Bank and Rural Development (IBRD)/International Development Association (IDA) projects that were active on June 30, 2009. The report is intended to bridge the gap in information available to the public between the project appraisal document, disclosed after the Bank approves a project, and the implementation completion report, disclosed after the project closes. In addition to the project progress description, the FY09 SOPE report contains project level comparisons of disbursement estimates and actual disbursements, and a table showing the loan/credit/grant amount and disbursements to date for all active projects.

Kazakhstan - Alma Transmission Project

Kazakhstan - Moinak Electricity Transmission Project

The objective of the Moinak Electricity Transmission Project for Kazakhstan is to increase and improve the supply of electricity to business enterprises and households in southern Kazakhstan in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner. There are three components to the project. The first component of the project is construction of transmission lines. It consists of the following sub-components: A) construction of Overhead Transmission Line (OHTL) from Moinak Hydroelectric Power Plant (MHPP) to Shelek Substation (SS): this involves the construction of about 97 km long 220 kV single circuit OHTL; and B) construction of OHTL from MHPP to Robot SS: this involves the construction of about 225 km long 220 kV single-circuit OHTL. The second of the project is modernization of SS. It consists of the following sub-components: A) construction of 220/110 kV Outdoor Switchyard (OSY) at MHPP: the works include the construction with a configuration consisting of double main busbars and transfer bus and installation of circuit breakers, disconnect switches, current and voltage transformers, and lightning over voltage and relay protection systems; B) modernization of 220 kV Robot SS: the works include the reconstruction of the existing 220 kV switching topology and installation of circuit breakers, disconnectors, current and voltage transformers, and lightning over voltage and relay protection systems; and C) modernization of 220 kV Shelek SS: the works include the reconstruction of the existing 220 kV switching topology and installation of circuit breakers, disconnectors, current and voltage transformers, and lightning over voltage and relay protection systems. The third component of the project is consulting and technical services. It consists of the following components: A) procurement and project management: this comprises consulting services for procurement and project management, including: the preparation o f bidding documents, assistance in bid evaluation and implementation supervision; and B) technical services: these include support for selection of the transmission routes, conduct of engineering surveys and engineering supervision of the turn-key contracts during construction.

Kazakhstan - Moinak Electricity Transmission Project

Kazahkstan - Customs Development Project : procurement plan consultant services

Kazakhstan - Tax Administration Reform Project (JERP)

Kazakhstan - Moinak Electricity Transmission Project

Land acquisition policy framework

The objective of the Moinak Electricity Transmission Project is to ensure that business enterprises and households in Southern Kazakhstan have improved access to reliable, cost effective and high quality electricity supply. The persons affected by the project are the owners of land, properties, and businesses that will be used for the implementation of the projects, either permanently or temporarily, as well as those whose livelihoods are connected to the affected land or properties. Mitigation measures include: 1) the property and inheritance rights of persons will be respected; 2) the public will be fully informed and processes will be transparent; 3) all possible steps will be taken to minimize acquisition of productive, privately owned land and to avoid acquisition of residential areas through careful selection of the needed sites; 4) valuation of land, businesses, and other assets for which compensation is given will be based on the full replacement cost; 5) in the case of agricultural land, valuation of the land will include crops value as well as other land related livelihoods; 6) in cases when there are people working on the affected land or businesses but are not land owners (tenants, or wager earners), the compensation should include the losses to these people; and 7) in exceptional cases if resettlement is unavoidable in addition to the full replacement cost affected people will be provided assistance for relocation and related expenses.

Environmental management plan

The objective of the Moinak Electricity Transmission Project is to ensure that business enterprises and households in Southern Kazakhstan have improved access to reliable, cost effective and high quality supply of electricity. Negative measures include: emission of pollutants by construction equipment, dust, audible noise, worker camps activity, and solid wastes. Mitigation measures include: a) the construction site will be sprinkled, especially for hot, dry and windy conditions; b) construction activities will be performed only during normal working hours. If construction activities have to be performed before or after the specified time limits, the local society must be notified about it at least one week in advance; c) bio toilets will be used in worker camps. Contents of the toilets and waste waters will be collected in special cesspits and pumped out as they fill and removed with special transport to the nearest sewerage system or sewage tanks; and d) solid wastes shall be transported to special disposal places, approved by local government authorities.

Kazakhstan - Financial sector assessment

The Kazakhstan financial sector remains dominated by domestic commercial banks. The banking sector is largely domestically owned, private, and relatively concentrated, with the largest five banks accounting for 78 percent of total banking assets. The share of foreign banks has increased to about 15 percent of total banking assets after some recent acquisitions. The stress testing included single factor sensibility and scenario analysis and focused on the potential impacts of the two main risks being faced by the banking system, liquidity and credit risks. The exercise looked into the potential impact of: (i) the ongoing liquidity crunch and worsening external funding conditions; and (ii) asset and collateral quality deterioration, particularly for construction, real estate, and consumer lending. Some progress has been achieved in strengthening the prudential framework and improving bank governance. However, there is a need to move towards risk-based supervision with more attention to banks' use of risk management systems and internal controls, strengthen the capacity to implement effective consolidated and cross-border supervision, build up stress testing capacity, improve the approach to asset classification and valuation, and develop liquidity risk monitoring capacity. The financial sector assessment (FSA) has taken a more proactive approach in dealing with banks under stress but staff turnover and capacity building issues hinder efforts. The 2004 mission recommendation to increase focus on liquidity risk of individual institutions has not been implemented effectively and, as a result, reliance on wholesale funding continues to pose risks.

Kazakhstan - Moinak Electricity Transmission Project

Kazakhstan - South West Roads Project : Western Europe - Western China international transit corridor (CAREC-1b & 6b)

Roma education to get crucial boost in funding

2009-11-12T20:18:19.000Z

Roma education to get crucial boost in funding

BRUSSELS, November 12, 2009―At an international donor conference hosted by the Open Society Institute, the World Bank and the European Economic and Social Coimmittee, donors swung their financial support behind education for the Roma, Europe ’s largest minority population. The €25.5 million in funding commitments announced by donors today is targeted for the Roma Education Fund (REF) and will provide the essential ingredients needed for children to succeed in school: scholarships, school meals, teacher training and academic support. The added financial support will also help governments develop stronger national policies for Roma inclusion.

“Roma want to contribute to society. They want to improve the lives of their children and give them a better life than they had. The most important factor that keeps so many Roma trapped in poverty is a lack of education; with increased political will and improved cooperation we can tackle this problem head-on,” said George Soros, chairman of the Open Society Institute and one of the founders of the Roma Education Fund.

The REF is a grant-making and policy analysis foundation established in 2005 that designs and supports programmes and projects to improve Roma education outcomes in Europe . With help from the Fund, last year alone over 30,000 students, from pre-school to university, showed improved test scores while more than 800 Roma students attended and graduated from university.
Roma continue to face discrimination and exclusion from opportunities available to most citizens. They often lack access to good quality education or other social services, holding low quality and low-paying jobs.

“The primary school completion rate among young Roma is similar to that prevailing in some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. This strikes me as something that does not belong in the Europe of the 21 st century”, said the World Bank Managing Director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

The amount committed today will enable the REF to continue closing the gap in educational outcomes between Roma and non-Roma children by supporting quality education for Roma, desegregation of education systems, and improvement of Roma’s social inclusion. “The REF has identified what works in Roma education. The time has come to move to large scale interventions,” said Costel Bercus, chair of the REF governing board.

www.romaeducationfund.hu
www.refdonorconference.org

Contacts:
Luis Montero
luis.montero@osf-eu.org
Alexander Rowland
arowland@worldbank.org

World Bank and KEGOC JSC Sign Loan Agreement to Improve Supply of Electricity to Almaty Region of Kazakhstan

2009-11-12T10:04:00.000Z

New Moinak Electricity Transmission Project Will Help to Increase Efficiency and Volume of Electricity Supply to Southern Region of the Country

Other languages: Russian, Kazakh

ASTANA, November 12, 2009 - Today the World Bank and KEGOC JSC signed a US$ 48 million Loan Agreement for Moinak Electricity Transmission Project. The loan will be allocated under the sovereign guarantee for expanding the National Power Grid and the construction of transmission lines from the Moinak Hydroelectric Power Plant.

Left to right: Mr. Kanat Bozumbayev, the Chairman of Management Board, KEGOC JSC, Mr. Sergei Shatalov, World Bank Country Manager for Kazakhstan, Mr. Bolat Zhamishev, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The Loan Agreement was signed by Mr. Kanat Bozumbayev, the Chairman of Management Board of KEGOC JSC, and Mr. Sergei Shatalov, World Bank Country Manager for Kazakhstan, and Guarantee Agreement was signed by Mr. Bolat Zhamishev, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan. At the same time Guarantee Agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the World Bank was signed by Mr. Bolat Zhamishev, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Sergei Shatalov.

This project, in conjunction with construction of the 300 megawatt Moinak Hydroelectric Power Plant MHPP, is a key part of the Government’s strategy to reduce the electricity shortage in the Southern region of Kazakhstan. The project will enhance the capacity and reliability of the power transmission network in Almaty region and increase the share of flexible power sources in the generating facilities network of the Kazakhstan Unified Power System.

“During a decade-long collaboration within Electricity Transmission Rehabilitation Project and North-South Electricity Transmission Project, KEGOC has built a partnership with the World Bank, who has been investing in development of Kazakhstan’s electric power infrastructure. The reputation of a successful borrower allows us, during the current global recession, to receive long-term and low-cost investment for Moinak electricity transmission works. Moreover, by the end of this year, we plan to sign with the World Bank another agreement on Alma Transmission Project,” said Mr. Kanat Bozumbayev, the Chairman of Management Board of KEGOC JSC.

“KEGOC company has been one of the largest partners of the World Bank in Kazakhstan for many years. That is triggered by the vital role of electric power sector in development and modernization of the country economy. Under two Bank-financed transmission operations, Kazakhstan has developed one of the most modern and efficient power systems in the CIS,” said Sergei Shatalov, World Bank Country Manager in Kazakhstan. “Addressing power shortage issue is key for healthy development of small and medium businesses what will allow creating thousands new jobs and improving population living standards in the south of Kazakhstan.”

The Project, with a total cost of over US$68 million, consists of the construction of 220 kilovolt transmission lines from the Moinak Hydroelectric Power Plant to the Shelek and Robot substations, as well as the modernization of the Shelek and Robot substations, and consulting and technical services. Construction works will be completed in 2011. The project activities will be carried out in compliance with international standards and environmental requirements that will allow minimizing impact on the environment. The World Bank loan has a maturity of 25 years with a five-year grace period. The loan is guaranteed by the Republic of Kazakhstan.

KEGOC JSC is the System Operator of the Unified Power System of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and its main task is to maintain steady operation of the System and reliable control of the National Power Grid pursuant to current engineering, economic and ecological requirements within the government policy. For more information on the Company please visit: http://www.kegoc.kz

The World Bank’s overall mission in Kazakhstan is to improve people’s lives by promoting diversification and competitiveness of the economy and creating more job opportunities. Since July 1992, the Bank has provided 34 loans to Kazakhstan for the total amount of more than 4.2 billion US dollars. For more information about World Bank activities in Kazakhstan please visit: http://www.worldbank.org.kz

Contacts:

KEGOC JSC
Marat Mukhamedsaliyev, (7-7172) 970-415, pressa@kegoc.kz

World Bank
In Astana: Oxana Miller, (7-7172) 580-555, omiller@worldbank.org
In Almaty: Kubat Sydykov, (7 727) 298-0580, ksydykov@wolrdbank.org
In Washington, DC: Michael Jones, (1-202) 473-2588, mjones2@worldbank.org

Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan: Tien Shan Ecosystem Development Project

2009-11-03T22:48:36.000Z

WASHINGTON, November 3, 2009 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project:

Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan: Tien Shan Ecosystem Development Project

GEF Trust Fund Grant: US$3.35 million

Project ID: P104670

Project Description: The Tien Shan Ecosystem Development Project for the Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan aims to contribute to improving ecosystem management and sustainable forestry in the project areas of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic. The Global Environmental Objectives are: (a) improving biodiversity conservation; and (b) contributing to climate mitigation by sequestering carbon dioxide in forests in the Kyrgyz Republic. The project will contribute to poverty reduction by increasing local peoples access to forest benefits such as fruits, nuts, fuel and construction wood, forage, employment generation, and revenues from carbon trading and tourism.

Media Contact

Michael Jones

202-473-2588

mjones2@worldbank.org

For more information about the Bank’s work in the Kyrgyz Republic please visit: http://www.worldbank.org.kg

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

Transition since Fall of Berlin Wall Shapes Today’s Crisis and Recovery

2009-11-03T17:05:11.000Z

Report on eve of 20th anniversary of the Berlin Wall's fall says structural reforms are now necessary to protect hard-won gains

WASHINGTON, November 3, 2009―The economic policy choices made by some countries of Europe and Central Asia (ECA)* during the transition from centrally planned to market economies contained the seeds of vulnerability when facing the global economic crisis, and are also likely to shape the recovery, says a new World Bank report issued on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The report, Turmoil at Twenty: Recession, Recovery, and Reform in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, says many countries in ECA are well integrated today into global markets. While this integration brought many benefits and drove the region’s spectacular growth in the decade since the Russia financial crisis of 1998, it also exposed ECA countries to three channels through which the crisis has hit the region hard: financial, market, and labor.

Excessively rapid catch-up towards Western European living standards by countries that had suffered deep or double transition recessions in the late 1990s, enabled by bank lending at a time of unusually high global liquidity, led to rapid growth, but also created serious macroeconomic imbalances when facing the 2008-09 global crisis. Short-term maturing debt reached extremely high values. But not all financially integrated countries in the region were equally vulnerable. Their experience suggests that tighter fiscal policies, without necessarily insulating countries from the crisis, could have played a stabilizing role, even though the imbalances did not generally originate in the public sector.

The report says that international collective action comprising generous official financing and coordination by Western European parent banks to maintain their exposures in Central and Eastern Europe has allowed maturing external debt to be rolled over, at least so far. Those parent banks were crucial in hardening budget constraints and attaining macroeconomic stability during the first decade of transition.

“The outlook for economic growth in emerging Europe and Central Asia is considerably weaker than that in the years before the crisis,” said Pradeep Mitra, one of the authors of the report and former World Bank Chief Economist of the Europe and Central Asia Region. “If parent banks reduce exposures in countries of the region due to recognition of losses in their home market, continuing collective action will be necessary to make this process gradual and less disruptive.”

According to the report, the weak outlook for growth highlights the urgency of proceeding with bank, corporate, and household debt restructuring. Government should set up enabling frameworks for debt restructuring, but resist using public resources since household debt is typically not concentrated among the poorer households.

The poorer countries of the former Soviet Union that are financially less integrated are experiencing the crisis primarily as a result of a downturn in exports and decline in workers’ remittances due to the recession in the Russian Federation. Thus, in Tajikistan, the poorest country of the region, it is estimated that a 30 percent decline in remittances would reduce the consumption of the bottom fifth of households by around 20 percent. While some countries have safety net programs that deliver a substantial proportion of benefits to poorer households, more resources are necessary to scale up these programs where they exist, and introduce targeted programs where they do not. Official financing for a number of years will be necessary to support desirable social spending until a durable recovery is in place.

The report recommends that with capital flows likely to be considerably lower than pre-crisis levels, and financial markets already differentiating across countries, policy makers need to address the most binding constraints to growth in order to improve their business environment and remain competitive.

“It is remarkable that business surveys show infrastructure and labor skills – formerly the main assets of transition countries – not only to be the tightest bottlenecks to the operation and growth of firms, but also more constraining than in non-transition economies at similar income levels. These sectors require urgent reforms,” said Mitra. “However, the surveys also show significant progress after two decades of transition in building institutions of the market economy. For example, tax administration and customs regulation which have traditionally ranked high among constraints to the operation and growth of firms are now seen as less constraining and indeed in line with non-transition economies at similar income levels.”

* The ECA countries include Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, FYR Macedonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, the Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, the Russian Federation, Serbia, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

Contacts:
In Washington:
Elena Karaban 202-473-9277
Ekaraban@worldbank.org
Michael Jones 202-473-2588
Mjones2@worldbank.org

World Bank and Global Environment Facility Support Ecosystem Development in the Tien Shan Region

2009-11-03T13:30:00.000Z

Contacts:

In Kazakhstan: Kubat Sydykov, 7 (727) 298-0580, ksydykov@worldbank.org

In Kyrgyzstan: Jyldyz Djakypova, (+996 312) 45-40-40, jdjakypova@worldbank.org

In Washington: Michael Jones, (202) 473-2588, Mjones2@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, November 03, 2009 – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a US$ 3.35 million Global Environment Facility Grant to the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic (for US$ 2.35 million and US$ 1 million respectively) to support management of protected areas and sustainable ecosystem development of the Tien Shan region of the two countries.

The Tien Shan mountain range covers most of the Kyrgyz Republic, southern Kazakhstan, and smaller areas of Uzbekistan, China, and Tajikistan. This territory plays an important role in conserving biodiversity and maintaining environmental sustainability in Central Asia. In 2004, Conservation International identified the Tien Shan range as a “biodiversity hotspot” based on the high numbers of endemic species and the significant level of threat—the concentration of species in Western Tien Shan is 63 times higher for birds and 37 times higher for mammals than the average for Central Asia.

“The Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic are a unique, beautiful and tremendously important ecosystem; they are the home to a striking array of wild ancestors of currently commercial crops such as apples, walnuts and tulips. The mountain range also plays a key role in the distribution of rare Asian fauna such as the Snow Leopard,” said Motoo Konishi, World Bank Country Director for the Central Asia region. “It is vital that these fragile and yet environmentally, socially and economically important areas are managed wisely and sustainably, both for today’s population and for future generations that depend on the range for their energy, water and livelihoods.”

The new Tien Shan Ecosystem Development Project will contribute to biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, and climate change mitigation in Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic. It builds on the experience of the earlier Central Asia Transboundary Biodiversity Project, which also supported biodiversity conservation in the Western Tien Shan and assisted Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan in strengthening and coordinating national policies, regulations, and institutional arrangements for biodiversity protection.

"The Tien-Shan region is also known in some cultures as the Heaven's Mountains or as the Celestial Mountains. Yet its beauty is truly universal; it contains some of the world's most unique and rare ecosystems. This new effort with our partners will help facilitate local initiatives to develop eco-tourism and other sustainable development practices that we hope will help continue the progress made toward meeting international environmental conventions," said Monique Barbut CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility. "We encourage international organizations, donor states, and other interested parties to support these efforts as we join with these Central Asian countries to resolve regional and global environmental problems."

The new project will strengthen biodiversity conservation by supporting Protected Area management in 12 Protected Areas (PAs) by building technical capacity, investing strategically in PA infrastructure, supporting local efforts to reduce threats to biodiversity in and around project PAs, increasing public awareness, and promoting sustainable tourism. Additionally in Kazakhstan, the project will finance small grants for local groups and organizations to conserve and reduce threats to biodiversity and integrate conservation into the broader landscape. For example, small grants may finance eco-tourism guest houses, yurts (traditional nomads’ houses), handicrafts, wildlife information programs, bird watching and other similar activities.

Public awareness and information campaigns will be implemented to boost support for biodiversity conservation both locally and internationally, to generate interest in the region’s natural and cultural heritage, and to raise awareness about national obligations associated with international conservation treaties. The project will include public awareness programs, a CITES (UN convention on international trade on endangered species) campaign, and UNESCO World Heritage Site nomination activities.

The overall cost of the project is US$ 11.98 million, of which US$ 8.00 million (a US$ 4 million grant and a US$ 4 million loan on highly concessional terms) is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development, US$ 0.63 million from the Policy and Human Resources Development Fund grant, and US$ 3.35 million by the Global Environmental Facility.

About the GEF

The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) unites 178 countries in partnership with international institutions, non-governmental organizations, 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$ 8.3 billion in grants and leveraging US$ 33.7 billion in co-financing for over 2,200 projects in over 165 countries.

Through its Small Grants Program, GEF has also made more than 7,000 small grants, up to US$ 50,000 each, directly to nongovernmental and community organizations.

Global Crisis Hits Home in Emerging Europe and Central Asia

2009-10-03T07:40:09.000Z

Contacts:

Kristyn Schrader (90) 530-929-45-35

kschrader@worldbank.org

Tunya Celasin (90) 533-285-18-21

tcelasin@worldbank.org

ISTANBUL, October 3, 2009—The global economic crisis has reversed the impressive economic growth of recent years in Emerging Europe and Central Asia, hitting families hard with higher unemployment and lost wages. Financially weaker governments will need to protect poor people while strengthening institutions and infrastructure to attract investors, the World Bank said today at a press briefing at the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings.

“The global financial and economic crisis has literally hit home in many parts of Emerging Europe and Central Asia,” said Philippe Le Houérou, World Bank Vice-President for Europe and Central Asia. “What started as a financial crisis has become a social and human crisis. The global crisis has come on the heels of the food and fuel crises, which had already weakened people in the region by reducing their purchasing power. Today, rising poverty and joblessness are pushing households into poverty and making things even harder for those already poor.”

For the past decade, many countries of Emerging Europe and Central Asia notched up impressive growth, moving them closer to the living standards of Western Europe and other advanced economies. But the crisis has hit them hardest and stopped that convergence. Growth has plummeted from a fast clip of 7.6 percent in 2007 to 4.7 percent in 2008, and is projected at negative 5.6 percent in 2009.

“For years now, Emerging Europe and Central Asia has roared along in high gear,” said Le Houérou. “But the global crisis and the drying up of external private financial flows are stalling the engine of growth, prompting many to downshift and some to even slip into reverse. The job now for the governments in the region is to speed up reforms. The role of the international community is to help countries get back in gear. For us at the World Bank, that means essentially focusing our support to governments in their efforts to clean up the banking sector so that banks can provide a lifeline for firms and businesses to grow and create jobs, improve the business climate to attract private capital flows, make public spending more efficient so that the benefits reach working families, and continue to finance key public investments in infrastructure.”

Unemployment and deficits on the rise

The global crisis has hit some countries worse than others but today there is a danger that the region faces a weak and jobless recovery. Some countries, such as Poland, have fared better than others. Still, the number of jobless in the region has jumped from 8.3 million in 2008 to 11.4 million in 2009. It has doubled in the Baltic countries, grown by 60 percent in Turkey, and by one-third in other countries in the region.

“Instead of the number of poor falling by 15 million in 2009, we now project poverty to increase by about 15 million,” said Indermit Gill, World Bank Chief Economist for the Europe and Central Asia Region. “There are already 145 million poor people in the region – or almost one-third of the total population. For them, the crisis has made an already tough existence even tougher. Much of the world is getting good economic news this autumn. But for workers and their families in Emerging Europe and Central Asia the news is not encouraging. To them, the talk of recovery may seem premature.”

In the face of the unprecedented crisis, governments in Emerging Europe and Central Asia will have many hard choices to make, given that government deficits will increase from 1.5 percent of GDP in 2008 to 5.5 percent in 2009, said Gill. This will put more pressure on governments to make spending more efficient.

“Social spending makes up more than half of government expenditures so governments will need to make education, health care and social security more efficient,” Gill said. “School systems need to be resized to fit shrinking enrollment numbers due to falling fertility. Health care has to be restructured because many countries now have the health problems of high-income countries with the fiscal resources of middle-income economies. And social security has to be restructured to recognize that many countries in the region have aged before they have become wealthy. Reforms will help make governments fiscally healthy, economies robust, and societies more fair. Every responsible policymaker should take a hard look at these reforms.”

Also, governments must continue to improve their business environment to attract investment. During the last decade, countries in Emerging Europe and Central Asia have made progress in improving the climate for doing business. The region has been the top performer in the World Bank’s Doing Business ratings for the last six years—led first by countries in central and southern Europe and more recently by those in the Caucasus and Central Asia. This year, five of the top ten reformers were from the region: Krygyz Republic, FYR Macedonia, Belarus, Tajikistan, and Moldova.

World Bank supporting reforms through lending and advice

While governments are in the lead, the World Bank is helping countries navigate their way through the crisis, Le Houérou said. For its part, the World Bank is providing budget support to countries to support promising reform efforts. During the past year, the World Bank has increased financial support to the region by 60 percent, from $8 billion last year to $12.5 billion this year with the aim of mitigating the impact of the crisis on the poor, stabilizing banks, and positioning countries for post-crisis recovery. In September 2009 alone, the Bank approved $2 billion in budget support to Hungary, Latvia, and Ukraine.

Along with funding, the Bank is offering analytical support and encouraging governments to expand selected social safety net programs. Currently, most countries in the region have good programs that could be expanded during the crisis, such as those in the Kyrgyz Republic, Albania and Georgia where benefits are most likely to reach the neediest people. At the same time, the Bank is advising governments on how to fix less efficient programs to ensure benefits are reaching the right target audiences. Although many countries in the region have excelled on improving the business environment, many countries have not improved social service delivery.

The World Bank’s client countries in Emerging Europe and Central Asia are currently using Bank funds for 53 projects spanning institutional reform, infrastructure and interventions to help the neediest. Also, through the World Bank’s private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Bank has teamed up with the EBRD and EIB on a $31 billion fund to support the banking sector and to fund lending to businesses hit by the global economic crisis through equity and debt finance, credit lines, and political risk insurance. And the Bank’s political risk insurance arm, MIGA, has made up to $3 billion available for investments in the heavily hit economies of the region. Guarantees worth nearly half of a $1 billion were issued in support of shareholder loans made by parent banks to their subsidiaries in Ukraine and Russia.

For more information, please visit www.worldbank.org/eca

Opening of Development Information Center in Almaty

2009-09-24T10:15:47.000Z

Other languages: Kazakh, Russian

Almaty, September 24, 2009. Today the Opening Ceremony of the Development Information Center (DIC) of five major international organizations operating in Kazakhstan – Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank (WB), Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the United Nations Organization (UN) – has taken place at the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Center is created in cooperation with the National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The mission of DIC is to provide public access to the best practices and knowledge of international organizations working for improving lives of people in Kazakhstan. The Center provides free-of-charge an open access to information on development and invites to use the current and regularly updated resources of the international organizations.

At the Opening Ceremony there were representatives of the governmental sector, scientific community, educational institutions, libraries, archives, museums, mass media, NGOs, and international organizations. Representatives of the Asian Development Bank, Eurasian Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, United Nations Organization, and the World Bank who made a welcoming address at the Ceremony, unanimously noted the significance of that common initiative which is aimed at promoting better understanding by the Kazakhstani people of the activities of international organizations, projects implemented by them in the country, as well as the processes of social and economic development.

Representatives of nongovernmental organizations and scientific community emphasized the importance of such information center that gives an opportunity to exchange best experience in the area of development problems among colleagues all over the world. According to Gulissa Balabekova, Deputy Director General of the National Library, the DIC will be valuable for the various public groups, including students, scientists, representatives of nonprofit agencies, government officials, as well as representatives of a private sector.

Located in the country’s main library, the Center will serve as a one-stop-shop for public access to the resources on all the aspects of social and economic development, information on international organizations’ activities in Kazakhstan and around the world. DIC is a unique source of information and knowledge that integrates the resources of four international financial institutions and many UN agencies, in order to provide a simplified and unified access. The public will be offered a number of services assisting in formation of the knowledge on development. It provides open access to the extensive data-bases on various development topics, world expertise, and up-to-date statistical and analytical information.

DIC visitors will enjoy consultations and assistance in information search, and free Internet connection. The DIC collection includes more than 1000 publications, serial publications, multimedia materials on developmental topics, economic overviews, and sector analyses; project documents and reports from multiple international organizations active in Kazakhstan; and international publishers’ books.

It is expected that the DIC will host presentations of new publications, workshops, thematic round-tables on various topics, group tours, and other public events.

DIC is open every day, except Sunday, from 9:00 to 19:00, at the National Library, 3rd floor, (World Literature Department).

Contacts: Kubat Sydykov, World Bank, +7 (727) 298 0580, ksydykov@worldbank.org

DIC address
3^rd floor, Abay avenue 14, Almaty,
World Literature Department, National Library of the RK
www.nlrk.kz/dic_en

Doing Business 2010: Kazakhstan Improves Global Ranking on Ease of Doing Business

2009-09-23T12:17:28.000Z

Contacts:
In Astana: Oxana Miller (7-7172) 580-555
omiller@worldbank.org
In Almaty: Kubat Sydykov (7 727) 298 0580
ksydykov@wolrdbank.org
In Moscow: Nezhdana Bukova +7 (985) 411-3986
nbukova@ifc.org

ASTANA, September 22, 2009—In a record year for regulatory reform worldwide, Kazakhstan improved its ranking on the overall ease of doing business, according to Doing Business 2010: Reforming through Difficult Times. The report, presented today in Astana, showed Kazakhstan moving up to 63 in the global rankings of 183 economies.

Kazakhstan reformed procedures in three critical areas for businesses. It made dealing with construction permits easier, including by tightening time limits for building permits. It eased the tax burden on companies. And it made business start-up easier by simplifying requirements.

“Recognizing the importance of firms—especially small and medium-size enterprises—for creating jobs and revenue, Kazakhstan has significantly increased the pace of regulatory reform this year,” said Svetlana Bagaudinova, an author of the report.

Room for improvement remains in key areas, however, such as in trading across borders (where Kazakhstan ranks 182) and in dealing with construction permits (143).

“Reforms are not a one-off exercise and need to be part of a medium-term reform plan. We are glad to recognize that the Government of Kazakhstan has already set an ambitious reform program for the next year, and the World Bank and other donors are committed to supporting it. The final goal of all these efforts is that Kazakhstan businesses enjoy a more favorable business environment,” said Sergey Shatalov, World Bank Country Manager for Kazakhstan.

Globally, a record 131 of the 183 economies surveyed reformed business regulation between June 2008 and May 2009, according to the report, the seventh in a series of annual reports published by IFC and the World Bank. Five of the top 10 reformers are in Eastern Europe and Central Asia—the Kyrgyz Republic, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Belarus, Moldova, and Tajikistan.

Doing Business analyzes regulations that apply to an economy’s businesses during their life cycle, including start-up and operations, trading across borders, paying taxes, and closing a business. Doing Business does not measure all aspects of the business environment that matter to firms and investors. For example, it does not measure security, macroeconomic stability, corruption, skill level, or the strength of financial systems.

For more information about the Doing Business report series, please visit www.doingbusiness.org.

World Bank Supported Second North-South Electricity Transmission Line Completed

2009-09-23T08:31:23.000Z

Contacts:
In Astana: Oxana Miller (7-7172) 580-555
omiller@worldbank.org
In Almaty: Kubat Sydykov (7 727) 298 0580
ksydykov@wolrdbank.org
In Washington, DC: Michael Jones (1-202) 473-2588
mjones2@worldbank.org

ASTANA, September 17, 2009―Today the World Bank and Kazakhstan Grid Operating Company “KEGOC” are praised for completion of North-South Electricity Transmission Project. The Project has been implemented several months ahead of schedule. Besides its high importance this Project stands out as a most efficiently prepared and implemented operation. Working closely, the World Bank and KEGOC prepared the Ekibastuz-Agadyr section of the North – South (N/S) line in 2005 in a record time (4.5 months). Because of a well-administered tender, about US$5.7 million was saved for the US$100 million World Bank loan. Today the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev officially inaugurated this section of the N/S line in Ekibastuz City of Kazakhstan.

Completion of the second N/S electricity transmission line marks a decisive move forward to remove a critical bottleneck in Kazakhstan’s prospective economic growth. As a result of the project, the capacity of the existing N/S line is more than doubled from 650 MW to 1,350 MW. Metaphorically, this project is called the “energy bridge” between the north and the south or the “lifeline” for the Kazakh economy.

Expanding and improving the N/S transmission links offers numerous benefits in terms of system reliability, increased export and transit capacity, removal of growth-retarding power deficit in the south and more effective use of low-cost power plants in the north, particularly in the Ekibastuz region. The resulting low electricity tariffs help to sustain the country’s competitiveness in energy-intensive exports, including metals and petrochemicals. From a broader development perspective, the N/S project will enhance the well-being of the population southern Kazakhstan by providing inexpensive and higher quality energy and increasing the region’s competitiveness in terms of industrial and commercial development with related benefits terms of employment and income.

At the same time, the new transmission line allows Kazakhstan to become the “energy bridge” between Russia and Central Asia by unlocking new opportunities for increased electricity trade and better integrated power markets in the region. Prospectively, via Kazakhstan more hydroelectricity could be exported from Tajikistan and Kyrgyztan to the power deficit regions of Russia.

“The new transmission line will also improve the reliability of parallel operation of the power systems of Russia, Kazakhstan and Central Asia, thus improving the quality of power supply across the region. Therefore, this project is seen by the World Bank as a regional strategic asset”, said Istvan Dobozi, Lead Energy Economist of the World Bank and Task Team Leader of the Project.

The project Kazakhstan Moinak Electricity Transmission Project has changed to Active

2009-09-17T04:00:00.000Z

The project Kazakhstan Moinak Electricity Transmission Project has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

World Bank Supports Improved and Increased Supply of Electricity to Sothern Regions of Kazakhstan

2009-09-15T22:33:46.000Z

Contacts:

In Astana: Oxana Miller

(7-7172) 580-555

omiller@worldbank.org

In Almaty: Kubat Sydykov

(7 727) 298 0580

ksydykov@wolrdbank.org

In Washington, DC: Michael Jones

(1-202) 473-2588
mjones2@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, September 15, 2009―The World Bank Board of Directors today approved a US$48 million loan for the Kazakhstan Moinak Electricity Transmission Project, which will help to increase and improve the supply of electricity to households and business enterprises in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner in southern regions of Kazakhstan. The project will increase the capacity of the power transmission network to allow the transmission of clean electricity that is to be generated by the 300 megawatt Moinak Hydroelectric Power Plant (MHPP) currently under construction.

This project, in conjunction with the MHPP, is a key part of the Government’s strategy to reduce the electricity shortage in the Almaty region, where in the last decade vigorous economic growth has greatly increased the demand for electricity. The resulting electricity shortage, particularly in the winter period when the need is greatest, has triggered restrictions on electricity consumption, hurting the economy and the population.

“Kazakhstan’s economic growth, together with rising incomes, has fuelled an increasing demand for electricity. Following recovery from the current economic slowdown, electricity demand in southern Kazakhstan is expected to increase by nearly 6 percent per year till 2020,” said Sergei Shatalov, World Bank Country Manager in Kazakhstan. “Existing and prospective energy shortages in the region are a barrier to both economic growth and human development. By addressing these shortages, the project will help to ensure improved employment, incomes, and standard of living.

“The World Bank has had a decade-long fruitful collaboration with Kazakhstan to support its efforts of modernization and expansion of the country’s massive electricity transmission network, and ensure that it meets the needs of the country’s rapidly developing economy,” said Istvan Dobozi, Lead Energy Economist of the World Bank and leader of the Bank’s transmission program. “This is the third World Bank-supported electricity transmission project in Kazakhstan, and a fourth one − the “Alma” Transmission Project − is under preparation. The project was prepared in 10 months, which is much less than the average project-processing time in Kazakhstan, in order to ensure that this strategically important project can be completed on schedule in 2011.”

The Project, with a total cost of US$74 million, consists of the construction of 220 kilovolt transmission lines from the Moinak Hydroelectric Power Plant to the Shelek and Robot substations, as well as the modernization of the Shelek and Robot substations, and consulting and technical services. The World Bank loan has a maturity of 25 years with a five-year grace period. The loan is guaranteed by the Republic of Kazakhstan.

For more information about World Bank activities in Kazakhstan please visit:

http://www.worldbank.org.kz

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

Kazakhstan: Moinak Electricity Transmission Project

2009-09-15T21:32:19.000Z

IBRD Loan: US$48 million

Terms: Maturity = 25 years; Grace Period = 5 years

Project ID: P114766

Project Description: The objective of the Moinak Electricity Transmission Project for Kazakhstan is to increase and improve the supply of electricity to business enterprises and households in southern Kazakhstan in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner. This will be accomplished through the construction of transmission lines, creating and updating the circuit breakers, and updating consulting and technical services and various other technical improvements.

Media Contact

Michael Jones

(202) 473-2588

mjones2@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=P114766

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

The project Alma Transmission Project is now in the pipeline.

2009-09-04T04:00:00.000Z

The project Alma Transmission Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

Executive Vice President of MIGA to Visit Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Georgia

2009-08-20T13:17:54.000Z

Media advisory

WASHINGTON, August 20, 2009 - The Executive Vice President of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), the political risk insurance arm of the World Bank Group, will travel to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Georgia at the end of August. Izumi Kobayashi’s fact-finding mission begins August 25th and wraps up on September 1st. In all three countries Ms. Kobayashi will meet with government officials and private industry leaders to consider investment potential and ways that MIGA can encourage and support foreign direct investment (FDI) for projects in these countries. During her visit to Tbilisi, Ms. Kobayashi is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Investment Risk Management Agency (IRMA) es-tablishing a joint outreach program to encourage and promote FDI into Georgia.

The World Bank estimates that FDI flows to developing countries will decline by 30 percent in 2009 to approximately $385 billion – down from an estimated $583 billion in 2008 and $520 billion in 2007. “MIGA can act as a stabilizing influence in the market. It can help investors mitigate risks in these uncertain times and play an important role in helping countries attract FDI,” says Kobayashi.

MIGA is currently supporting the financial sector in Kazakhstan, recently providing guarantees to ATF Bank and Raiffeisen Leasing Kazakhstan LLP. MIGA’s gross exposure in Kazakhstan totals $225 million. MIGA currently does not have any active projects in Uzbekistan or Georgia.

______________

For information:

MIGA
Mallory Saleson, msaleson@worldbank.org, 202.473.0844
Dmitro Derkatch, dderkatch@worldbank.org, 202.458.2097

Promoting Efficient Water Use in Agriculture: Central Asia Development Marketplace 2009 Announces Its Winners

2009-06-29T09:42:17.000Z

TASHKENT, June 26, 2009 ¾ Today the World Bank and its development partners have concluded the two-day Regional Central Asia Development Marketplace 2009 (CADM) and the Knowledge Forum, which brought together 40 CADM finalists and about 60 other participants from five countries in the region. This was the closing event of the multi-country and multi-partner project aimed at uncovering and supporting innovative ideas in Efficient Water Use in Agriculture.

The Central Asia Development Marketplace has demonstrated a very high potential that the local communities and organizations in all five countries have in addressing urgent water availability constraints in their countries. The event also provided a Forum for networking, learning, and sharing experience among farmers’ groups and associations, water users’ associations, civil society organizations, academia, research institutions, and other groups in the Central Asia region.

“Water is life and good water management is essential to sustain agriculture potential in the Central Asia region, particularly in light of its fast growing demography and importance the sector has for poverty reduction,” - said Loup Brefort, World Bank Country Manager for Uzbekistan, at the Opening Ceremony of the CADM final event. "We are very pleased that this Development Marketplace has demonstrated plenty of very interesting ideas, projects and concrete proposals to improve conservation and efficiency of water use by farmers.”

According to Brefort, the impact of global climate change on future water availability and food production capabilities in the region which is highly dependent on irrigation is growing. Accordingly, it is critical to mobilize all resources, and first and foremost the brainpower and experience available from the ground up, to identify, develop and implement practical ideas, approaches and techniques to make every drop of water count and raise agriculture productivity. Mr Brefort believes that innovation will increasingly be key to sustain future economic growth, and even more so in the agriculture sector.

The Central Asia Development Marketplace 2009 was first announced in February 2009 as a competitive process open to various organizations and companies concerned with water problems in the five Central Asia countries. About 150 participants in the region took part in the first round of competition, of which 40 finalists were selected after thorough evaluation by the team of experts. These 40 finalists were invited to the final event in Tashkent on June 25-26, 2009 to compete for awards.

A Grand Jury, consisting of 12 representatives of donor agencies, scientific and research institutes, and international experts in water and agriculture issues awarded about USD 300,000 to 15 finalists as seed money for implementation of their innovative ideas.

The winners of the Central Asia Development marketplace 2009 are:

Kazakhstan:

· «Kazakh scientific and research institute of water services», Ltd.

· "Kazakh scientific and research institute of rice production", Ltd.

Kyrgyzstan:

· Public fund "Zhalalabad regional rural consultation service"

· Goods-and-services cooperative "Zhiide Bulagy", association of farmers and agricultural producers

· Kyrgyz scientific and research institute of irrigation

Tajikistan:

· Civil society organization "Saodat"

· Civil society organization "Kal'acha"

· Kurgan-Tyubinski engineering center under «Tajik research institute of hydraulic engineering and reclamation»

Turkmenistan:

· Society of inventors of Turkmenistan

· Scientific-experimental unit named after S.A.Niyazov

· Public foundation for nature preservation in Turkmenistan

Uzbekistan:

· Water user association “Akbarabad”

· Uzbek research and development institute of cotton-plant selection and seed farming under the Ministry of agriculture and water management

· Representative office of the Central Asian regional ecological center (CAREC) in Uzbekistan

The World Bank initiative to identify and fund innovative solutions for efficient water use in agriculture was generously supported by several development partners: the Department for International Development of the UK (DFID) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (Swiss Government).

--- # # # ---

For more information on the Central Asia Regional Innovation Day please visit www.worldbank.org/cadm2009or contact Ms. Elena Karaban (Almaty): ekaraban@worldbank.org.

For country-specific information, please contact:

In Kazakhstan: Kubat Sydykov, ksydykov@worldbank.org

In Kyrgyzstan: Natalia Iosipenko, niosipenko@worldbank.org

In Tajikistan: Dilya Zoirova, dzoirova@worldbank.org

In Turkmenistan: Maral Amasahatova, mamansahatova@worldbank.org

In Uzbekistan: Matluba Mukhamedova, itsoy@worldbank.org

World Bank and the Republic of Kazakhstan Sign Loan Agreement to Support Improved Roads In Kazakhstan

2009-06-12T12:10:40.000Z

Contacts:
In Astana: Oxana Miller (7-7172) 580-555
omiller@worldbank.org
In Almaty: Elena Karaban (7-727) 2-980-580
ekaraban@worldbank.org

Available in: Русский, Қазақша

ASTANA, June 13, 2009Today the World Bank and the Republic of Kazakhstan signed a US$ 2.125 billion Loan Agreement for the Kazakhstan South-West Roads Project to help upgrade a 1,062 km stretch of the international trade corridor linking China to Russia and Western Europe through Kazakhstan. The Loan Agreement was signed by Mr. Shigeo Katsu, World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia on behalf of the World Bank, and Mr. Bolat Zhamishev, Minister of Finance on behalf of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The objective of the project funded by the World Bank is to increase transport efficiency on the road sections between Aktobe/Kyzylorda oblast border and Shymkent, and to improve road management and traffic safety in Kazakhstan. The project will boost country’s competitiveness and bring significant economic benefits to Kazakhstan, as well as to Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

This project is part of a US$ 6.7 billion International Transit Corridor development program of the Government of Kazakhstan to upgrade approximately 2,800 km of the CAREC corridors within Kazakhstan linking China (at Khorgos) to Russia (at Zhaisan).

“Fully modernized road will offer high quality transportation services to freighters and we expect that traffic along the newly reconstructed corridor will increase significantly because this route is 3,000 km shorter than any other transport corridor connecting Europe and China,” said Shigeo Katsu, World Bank Vice-President for Europe and Central Asia. “The project will also have significant positive social impacts by creating new jobs and helping local communities with better access to health and education services.”

The World Bank loan has a maturity of 25 years including 5 year grace period. It is planned that the Loan Agreement will be ratified by the Parliament of the RK in September 2009 and that the first construction contracts will be issued later in fall 2009. The main agency responsible for project implementation is the Committee for Roads of the Ministry of Transport and Communication.

The World Bank’s overall mission in Kazakhstan is to improve people’s lives by promoting diversification and competitiveness of the economy and creating more job opportunities. Since July 1992, the Bank has provided 33 loans to Kazakhstan for the total amount of more than 4.2 billion US dollars.

For more information about Kazakhstan South-West Roads Project visit:

http://go.worldbank.org/YP70S2HVG0

The project Kazakhstan - Tax Administration Reform Project (JERP) is now in the pipeline.

2009-06-09T04:00:00.000Z

The project Kazakhstan - Tax Administration Reform Project (JERP) is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

World Bank in Kazakhstan Announces Results of 2009 Grant Competition for NGOs Under the Civil Society Social Development Fund

2009-06-04T09:58:15.000Z

The World Bank

Kazakhstan

News Release

Contact:
In Almaty: Elena Karaban (7-727) 2980-580
ekaraban@worldbank.org
In Astana: Irina Galimova (7-7172) 580-555
igalimova@worldbank.org

Read News Release in other languages: Russian, Kazakh

ASTANA, June 2, 2009 - The World Bank Country Office in Kazakhstan is pleased to announce results of the grant competition under the Civil Society Social Development Fund (formerly known as World Bank Small Grants Program, further on - CSF) for the total amount of US$ 45,000 for nonprofit, nongovernmental, nonacademic organizations of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The World Bank received 76 applications from urban and rural non-profit organizations working all over Kazakhstan to address the development issues. Selection of the winning projects was performed in accordance with the World Bank policies and was concluded by the Grant Committee meeting where 9 projects were approved. Size of an individual grant varied from USD 2,400 to USD 5,800.

NGO's from Ust-Kamenogorsk, Atbasar, Astana, Karaganda, Kyzylorda, Taldykorgan, Shymkent and Kostanai are among winners. Selected projects are aimed at enhancing social activity among rural population, promoting interests of vulnerable groups of population, including disabled, children, youth; and facilitating their participation in public hearings devoted to introducing changes and amendments in the respective legislation, engagement of population in resolution of environmental issues, building capacity of civil society organizations in leveraging funds for potential projects, enhancing role of women in rural self-governance, building capacity of youth, rural and young NGOs in tackling social issues.

The Civil Society Social Development Fund, which operated as the WB Small Grants program till 2007, was created in 1983 to promote dialogue and information dissemination on the topic of international development via open discussions beyond the World Bank operations. While working in Kazakhstan from 1998 to 2008 eleven grant competitions were conducted under which the CSF has supported 74 projects for the total amount of US$ 333,000.

Europe and Central Asia Facing Significant Climate Change Threats, But Are In ‘Adaptation Deficit’

2009-06-02T14:25:40.000Z

Contacts:
In Brussels: Alexander Rowland +32-478-319939
Arowland@worldbank.org

In Washington: Kristyn Schrader +1-202-458-2736
Kschrader@worldbank.org

BONN, June 2, 2009—The World Bank today warned that the impact of climate change in the Europe and Central Asia Region* will be more significant than expected due to a lingering post-Soviet legacy of environmental mismanagement and the poor state of much of the Region’s infrastructure, leaving the countries poorly prepared to adapt.

“Europe and Central Asia suffers from an ‘adaptation deficit’ that is already challenged by recent climate variability,” said Marianne Fay, Director of the World Bank’s World Development Report 2010, and author of the new report ‘Adapting to Climate Change in Europe and Central Asia’, “which will only worsen with the consequences of projected trends in climate in the coming decades.”

Fay added that “While almost two decades have passed since the breakup of the Soviet Union and its partner countries in Central and Eastern Europe, the legacy of environmental mismanagement and oversized infrastructure in countries outside the European Union still remains a dangerous holdover from the past. It greatly worsens the countries’ vulnerability to even modest changes in the climate.”

Launched today during the UNFCCC Bonn Climate Change Talks and on the eve of ‘World Environment Day’ (June 5^th), the report says that, contrary to popular perception, the Region is significantly threatened by climate change and is already experiencing the consequences: increasing variability, warmer temperatures, changing hydrology, and more extremes – droughts, floods, heat waves, as well as windstorms and forest fires.

Average temperatures across ECA have already increased by 0.5ºC in the south to 1.6ºC in the north (Siberia) since the early 1900s and overall increases of 1.6 to 2.6ºC above are expected by the middle of the century, with the greater changes occurring in the more northern latitudes. The north is projected to see greater temperature changes in winter, with the number of frost days declining by 14 to 30 days over the next 20 to 40 years. Southern parts of the region are expected to see the greatest changes in the summer, with the number of hot days increasing by 22 to 37 days over the same period. This warming trend is significant: by mid-century, countries such as Poland or Hungary are expected to experience the same number of hot days (>30^oC) as today’s Spain or Sicily.

According to Fay, “Increases in temperature are affecting hydrology, with a rapid melting of the region’s glaciers and a decrease in winter snows. Many countries are already suffering from winter floods and summer droughts – with both Southeastern Europe and Central Asia at risk for severe water shortages. Summer heat waves are expected to claim more lives than will be saved by warmer winters.”

The report says that changes in sea level, another impact of climate change, will affect the Region’s four basins – the Baltic Sea, the East Adriatic and Mediterranean coast of Turkey, the Black Sea, and the Caspian – and the Russian Arctic Ocean. On the Baltic, Poland, with its heavily populated low-lying coast, is the most vulnerable. Along the Adriatic and the Mediterranean, storm surge and saltwater intrusion into aquifers threaten parts of the Croatian, Albanian, and Turkish coasts. Sea level rise in the Black Sea is already threatening numerous ports and towns along the Russian, Ukrainian, and Georgian coasts. In the Caspian Sea, increased surface evaporation is projected to decrease water levels by as much as 6 meters by the end of the 21st century, imperiling

fish stocks and affecting coastal infrastructure.

However, according to the report, legacy issues make the Region even more vulnerable. Under the Soviet system, economic growth was pursued in blatant disregard to natural conditions. When water was needed for irrigation, the rivers feeding the Aral Sea were diverted to the desert to produce rice, fruit, and cotton. Uzbekistan became one of the world’s largest exporters of cotton, but at the cost of destroying the Aral Sea in the process.

The historic poor environmental management across the Region has its consequences. Even countries and sectors that stand to benefit from climate change are currently poorly positioned to do so. According to Fay, “Much has been made of the fact that warmer climate and abundant precipitation in the northeastern part of Europe and Central Asia – Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine – will open up a new agricultural frontier. However, any local potential benefit pales in comparison to the costs of the region’s relative inefficiency and low productivity. While world grain yields have been growing on average by about 1.5 percent per year, they have been falling or stagnant in these three countries.”

But over the next ten to twenty years, Europe and Central Asia’s resilience to climate shocks can be strengthened with improved infrastructure and environmental management systems, all of which will have positive consequences for sustainable development. Regardless of climate change, Europe and Central Asia will gain from improving its water resource management, tackling its environmental pollution problems, upgrading neglected infrastructure and housing, and strengthening disaster management. These steps will also greatly strengthen the Region’s ability to cope with the current climate.

Adapting to the changing climate will also require specific climate-related actions: investments in weather and water monitoring; the capacity to interpret and disseminate climate information; institutions to support adaptation efforts, whether by large firms or small farmers; and policies to foster incentives for informed, proactive responses to the challenges of climate change.

The Europe and Central Asian countries will need to develop strategies to reduce vulnerability to future changes. Jane Ebinger, World Bank Senior Energy Specialist, emphasized the need for stakeholder involvement in adaption. “Adaptation strategies will require steps to bring together policy makers, planners, asset owners, academics, and civil society to discuss and assess the risks a country may face from current weather and projected climate change, and identify possible adaptation measures, their costs and benefits. In addition, the experience of countries, regions, or cities currently developing and implementing adaptation plans offers valuable lessons and methodologies.”

*Europe and Central Asia Region economies: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania FYR Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan,

For more information, please visit: www.worldbank.org/eca

###

The project Electricity Transmission Rehabiliation Project has changed to Closed

2009-05-29T04:00:00.000Z

The project Electricity Transmission Rehabiliation Project has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Electricity Transmission Rehabilitation Project aims to improve the reliability and quality of electricity supply; develop competition; and restructure the Kazakhstan Grid Operating Company so that it is financially viable. The project has four main components. The first refurbishes transmission substations, including replacement of high voltage equipment at substations; installs shunt reactors to compensate for reactive power; replaces protective relaying, and supplies and installs monitoring and control equipment at substations. The second component modernizes the dispatch control system, including supply and installation of a supervisory control and data acquisition system at regional and national dispatch centers; reinforces a telecommunications system; and supplies and installs a commercial metering system. The third component finances institutional development, which includes installing a company-wide management information system and corporate restructuring. The fourth component provides technical assistance for procurement and project management, and establishes an electricity spot market.

The project SOUTH-WEST ROADS: WESTERN EUROPE-WESTERN CHINA INTERNATIONAL TRANSIT CORRIDOR (CAREC 1B & 6B) has changed to Active

2009-05-01T04:00:00.000Z

The project SOUTH-WEST ROADS: WESTERN EUROPE-WESTERN CHINA INTERNATIONAL TRANSIT CORRIDOR (CAREC 1B & 6B) has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The development objective of he South West Roads Project is to increase transport efficiency on the road sections between Aktobe/Kyzylorda oblast border and Shymkent, and to improve road management and traffic safety in Kazakhstan. The project comprises following components: i) upgrade and reconstruction of road sections along the corridor within Kyzylorda blast, excluding Kyzylorda bypass, with an estimated loan amount of US$1,134.3 million equivalent, excluding consulting services for supervision of the construction and all contingencies; ii) upgrade and reconstruction of road sections along the corridor within South Kzakhstan oblast from Kyzylorda oblast border to Shymkent, including the by passes to Kyzylorda and Shymkent; iii) Project Management Consultants (PMC) to assist the committee for roads with the management of project implementation, at an estimated loan amount of US$5.5 million; iv) institutional development and preparation of action plans to improve road safety and road services; and v) consulting services for supervision of civil works under components first and second estimated loan amount of US$46.8 million.

Kazakhstan: South West Roads Project: Western Europe-Western

2009-04-30T21:19:41.000Z

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2009 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project:

Kazakhstan: South West Roads Project: Western Europe-Western

China International Transit Corridor

IBRD Loan: US$2.125 billion

TERMS: Maturity = 25 years; Grace = 5 years

Project Description: The South West Roads project in Kazakhstan will help upgrade the trade route linking China to Russia and Western Europe through Kazakhstan, bringing a helpful economic stimulus to some of Kazakhstan’s poorest provinces. The project will boost Kazakhstan’s competitiveness and bring significant economic benefits to Kazakhstan, as well as to Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Much of the road network in Kazakhstan was constructed during the Soviet era and has significantly deteriorated since then due to lack of adequate maintenance.

Media Contact

Michael Jones

(202) 473-2588

Mjones2@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org.kz/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=361869&menuPK=361904&Projectid=P099270

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

World Bank Supports Improved Transport Efficiency and Safety in Kazakhstan

2009-04-30T20:05:45.000Z

Contacts:

In Astana: Oxana Miller (7-7172) 580-555

omiller@worldbank.org

In Washington, DC: Michael Jones (1-202) 473-2588

mjones2@worldbank.org

ASTANA, April 30, 2009¾The World Bank Board of Directors approved today a US$ 2.125 billion loan for the Kazakhstan South-West Roads Project to help upgrade the trade route linking China to Russia and Western Europe through Kazakhstan, bringing a helpful economic stimulus to some of Kazakhstan’s poorest provinces. The project will boost Kazakhstan’s competitiveness and bring significant economic benefits to the country, as well as to Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Much of the road network in Kazakhstan was constructed during the Soviet era and has significantly deteriorated since then due to lack of adequate maintenance. Half of the roads in the country’s network need major maintenance or full rehabilitation. Kazakhstan’s road safety record is poor with road accidents and fatality rates increasing in recent years. The current unsatisfactory condition of roads in the country prevents development of international and regional trade and limits access of rural communities to essential public services and work opportunities.

The World Bank will finance and rehabilitate a 1,062 km stretch of road between Shymkent and Aktobe/Kyzylorda Oblast border. This will be part of a US$ 7.5 billion International Transit Corridor development program of the Government of Kazakhstan to upgrade approximately 2,800 km of the CAREC corridors within Kazakhstan linking China (at Khorgos) to Russia (at Zhaisan).

“Upgrading this key road will give a major stimulus to the Kazakh economy because construction of new stretches of the road and rehabilitation of the existing sections will create about 35,000 new jobs and will generate substantial indirect benefits to most of the population in the Kazakh provinces of Kyzylorda and South Kazakhstan Oblasts, which are the poorest parts of the country,” said Sergei Shatalov, World Bank Country Manager in Kazakhstan. “The road will improve access to markets for the local communities living along the Corridor, and stands to benefit some three million people living in the neighboring provinces. Such a stimulus is very important at this time of the crisis.”

The Project comprises five components:

Upgrading and reconstructing a road section along the Corridor within Kyzylorda Oblast, excluding Kyzylorda bypass;
Upgrading and reconstructing road sections along the Corridor within South Kazakhstan Oblast and the Kyzylorda and Shymkent bypasses;
Project Management Consultants to assist the Committee for Roads with the management of all activities associated with the Project;
Institutional development and preparation of action plans to improve road safety and road services; and
Consulting services for supervision of civil works.

The World Bank loan has a maturity of 25 years including 5 year grace period. Implementation of the World Bank funded project will begin in 2009 and will take four years. The main agency responsible for project implementation is the Committee for Roads of the Ministry of Transport and Communication.

The World Bank’s overall mission in Kazakhstan is to improve people’s lives by promoting diversification and competitiveness of the economy and creating more job opportunities. Since July 1992, the Bank has provided 33 loans to Kazakhstan for the total amount of more than 4.2 billion US dollars.

For more information about World Bank activities in Kazakhstan please visit:

http://www.worldbank.org.kz

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

Kazakhstan South-West Roads Project

2009-04-30T05:45:00.000Z

For more information, please visit the Projects website.

Ust-Kamenogorsk Environmental Remediation Project Launched Today

2009-04-01T10:25:33.000Z

Kazakhstan Initiates Actions to Clean-up One of Its Most Contaminated Cities

April 1, 2009, Ust-Kamenogorsk – Ust-Kamenogorsk Environmental Remediation Project has been formally launched today, at the Akimat of East-Kazakhstan Oblast in Ust-Kamenogorsk city. The Project is aimed at the prevention of groundwater contaminated by industrial waste sites to reach sensitive resources including residential areas in the city, drinking water wells, and the Irtysh River. To achieve this objective, the project will invest in the containment of the concerned industrial waste sites, prevention of further migration of polluted groundwater, and strengthening of local institutions to monitoring this type of pollution.

Total project cost is US$ 40.09 million, including the World Bank loan of US$ 24.29 million, and US$ 15.80 million provided by the Government of Kazakhstan. The European Union also supports the Action with a separate grant of Euro 3.5 million to complement the Project for groundwater quality monitoring and institutional strengthening. The Implementing Agency for the Project is the Committee of Water Resources under the Ministry of Agriculture. The Project is expected to be completed in March 2013.

“We need to join forces to invest in our main asset – a sustainable and healthy environment. This Project will help to protect the groundwater in the city and what is not less important will serve as a platform for dialogue between many local partners involved,” – said Mr. Kanat Daurembekov, Director of the Republican State Enterprise “Vostokvodkhoz”.

The project intends to stop further contamination of groundwater form historic industrial waste sites and prevent migration of polluted groundwater to residential areas and eventually the Irtysh River. It has three main components:

immediate cleanup activities to prevent further infiltration of contamination into the aquifer;
adequate measures for intercepting, treating and monitoring the contaminated groundwater in the project area;
program for groundwater quality monitoring, institutional strengthening, leakage detection and repair.

As a result of project implementation, the population will benefit from protecting groundwater quality, one of the most important natural resources.

“Dealing with pollution is important to public health and takes away barriers to economic development. With this and similar projects, the Republic of Kazakhstan clearly demonstrates it recognizes these needs and the Bank feels privileged it can be of support,” - said Mr. Frank van Woerden, World Bank Task Team Leader for this Project.

Implementation of the Project will require cooperation and participation of many parties in the East-Kazakhstan Oblast and the City, such as regulating authorities, local laboratories, the local industries with sites that need remediation under the Project, and other institutions. The Project launch was attended by representatives of all these organizations and self-governance agencies, as well as international partners, NGOs, and mass media.

The European Union contribution to this action is part of its broader support to water supply and sanitation and an integrated management of water resources in Central Asia, in line with the European Union Water Initiative (EUWI) principles.

The World Bank’s overall mission in Kazakhstan is to improve people’s lives by promoting diversification and competitiveness of the economy and creating more job opportunities. Since July 1992, the Bank has provided 32 loans to Kazakhstan for the total amount of more than 2.1 billion dollars.

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Contacts:

Dauren Batanov, Ministry of the Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, at +7 7172 742-737 or visit http://www.minagri.kz

Sabina Mendybayeva, Press and Information Officer, EC Delegation, at +7 7172 971-040, Sabina.Mendybayeva@ext.ec.europa.euor visit http://delkaz.ec.europa.eu

Elena Karaban, Communications Officer, World Bank Central Asia Regional Office in Almaty, at +7 727 2980-580, ekaraban@worldbank.orgor visit http://www.worldbank.org.kz

The project Drylands Management GEF Project has changed to Closed

2008-12-21T05:00:00.000Z

The project Drylands Management GEF Project has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The development objective of the Drylands Management Project for Kazakhstan is to demonstrate and promote sustainable land uses in the marginal dryland ecosystem of a pilot area in the Shetsky rayon (a district in the southern part of the Karaganda oblast - province). The project is a pilot activity that will test the environmental, social and economic viability of shifting from the current unsustainable cereal-based production system to the traditional livestock-based production system. In support of this objective, there are four main project components. The project--with active participation of local communities--will assist the Government of Kazakhstan to: (i) develop sustainable land use systems; (ii) provide initial service support to producer groups; (iii) improve national capacity to quantify carbon sequestration; and (iv) undertake a broad public awareness campaign and develop a strategy so that project interventions could be replicated in similar areas of Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries. By promoting sustainable land use practices, the project emphasizes an integrated ecosystem management approach to achieving ecological, economic and social goals that are expected to yield benefits at a local, regional and global level.

The project Kazakhstan Moinak Electricity Transmission Project is now in the pipeline.

2008-11-19T05:00:00.000Z

The project Kazakhstan Moinak Electricity Transmission Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Syr Darya Control and Northern Aral Sea Project - Phase II is now in the pipeline.

2008-06-04T04:00:00.000Z

The project Syr Darya Control and Northern Aral Sea Project - Phase II is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Education is now in the pipeline.

2008-02-21T05:00:00.000Z

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

The project SOUTH-WEST CORRIDOR ROAD REHABILITATION PROJECT is now in the pipeline.

2008-02-15T05:00:00.000Z

The project SOUTH-WEST CORRIDOR ROAD REHABILITATION PROJECT is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION PROJECT has changed to Active

2008-01-25T05:00:00.000Z

The project TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION PROJECT has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The specific development objective of this pilot project is to demonstrate significantly improved scientific performance and commercial relevance of research performed by inter-disciplinary teams of scientists selected through transparent competitive process. By using merit based selection procedures, the project will help to rebuild, strengthen and restructure selected segments of Kazakhstan's R&D base. The project will also help to link this rejuvenated R&D capacity to national and international technology markets. The Project consists of three key components: (i) a competitive grant program to strengthen Kazakhstan's science base by supporting high quality R&D, establishment of an internationally peer-reviewed journal as well as a world class instrumentation center; (ii) a technology commercialization office to link Kazakh scientists to local and international technology markets; and (iii) the establishment of a Project Management Unit to implement the project.

The project Health Sector Technology Transfer and Institutional Reform has changed to Active

2008-01-18T05:00:00.000Z

The project Health Sector Technology Transfer and Institutional Reform has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Kazakhstan Health Sector Technology Transfer and Institutional Reform Project aims to introduce international standards and build long-term institutional capacity in the Ministry of Health and related healthcare institutions in support of key health sector reforms pursued by the Government of Kazakhstan in the context of the State Health Care Reform and Development Program. The project includes the following components: health finance and management; health care quality improvement; reform of medical education and medical science; health information system development; pharmaceutical policy reform; food safety and WTO accession; and project management.

The project Road Transport Restructuring Project has changed to Closed

2008-01-02T05:00:00.000Z

The project Road Transport Restructuring Project has changed to Closed. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Road Transport Restructuring Project aims to increase the efficiency of roads and road transport subsectors in Kazakhstan. There are five main components. The first rehabilitates priority sections of national roads by funding civil works to repair road sections; to reconstruct, relocate, or replace bridges; and to build a road bypass. The second component strengthens routine road maintenance by building the maintenance capability of the state road enterprise and road maintenance companies; and finances maintenance equipment and spare parts. The third component strengthens the roads department of a key road maintenance and construction organization by establishing procedures in planning, budgeting, and monitoring as well as in supervising roadworks; training contractors in bid preparation, contract administration, cost control, management, and quality control; and strengthening the road department's training capability. The fourth component improves the enforcement of road transport policies and regulations, improves systems to collect and process data, and develops a more competitive market for inter-city and rural passenger transport services. The fifth component improves road safety.

The project Irrigation & Drainage Improvement II (GEF) Project has changed to Dropped

2007-12-06T05:00:00.000Z

The project Irrigation & Drainage Improvement II (GEF) Project has changed to Dropped. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Customs Development Project has changed to Active

2007-11-30T05:00:00.000Z

The project Customs Development Project has changed to Active. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The development objective of the Customs Development Project of Kazakhstan is to increase the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of the Customs Control Committee (CCC) in order to: (i) promote internationally acceptable practices for expeditious processing of international trade flows, so as to further integrate the country into the world economy and improve the investment climate and competitiveness; (ii) improve taxpayer compliance with the Customs Code and thereby increase revenue collection; (iii) and support transparency of customs operations in order to reduce the potential for corruption and increase predictability for traders. The Customs Development Project of Kazakhstan will finance the following components: A. Institutional Development, Governance and Human Resource Management which will finance: (i) the comprehensive review of the CCC's organizational structure; (ii) delivery of management training for senior CCC officials; (iii) a detailed review of CCC strategic planning methodology and delivery of training programs to assist the newly created Modernization and Strategic Development Unit; (iv) development of service standards and establishment of a modern Management Information System; (v) review, redesign, development, and implementation of the National Integrity Development Plan within an effective anti-corruption framework; (vi) development and implementation of human resource management strategy, (vii) the development of a comprehensive training strategy and curriculum; (viii) the preparation of a comprehensive change management and continuous improvement strategy; and (ix) implementing a solid cost-based financial management framework. B. Customs Operations which will finance: (i) activities to align the code and the secondary legislation with major international instruments and best practices; (ii) establishment of a special unit staffed with tariff, legal and systems-design specialists; (iii) support to implement a new cargo control and declaration processing regime; (iv) strengthening of the back-end functions of post clearance verification and audit; (v) strengthening of law enforcement functions; (vi) development of a comprehensive control and enforcement strategy to strengthen the CCC's capacity to manage compliance risks; and (vii) activities to strengthen interaction and collaboration within the customs, with other border control agencies both within Kazakhstan and neighboring countries, and with regional and international institutions involved in international trade. C. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) which will finance: (i) activities to strengthen CCC's organizational capacity to plan and manage the ICT systems effectively; (ii) development and enhancement of an integrated ICT systems; and (iii) strengthening of archiving, data warehousing and security capacity of the CCC.

The project Kazakhstan-Extractive Ind. Trans. Init. is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-27T04:00:00.000Z

The project Kazakhstan-Extractive Ind. Trans. Init. is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Electricity Transmission Rehabiliation Project is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project Electricity Transmission Rehabiliation Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Forest Protection & Reforestation Project is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project Forest Protection & Reforestation Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The Forest Protection and Reforestation Project will develop cost effective and sustainable environmental rehabilitation, and management of forest lands and associated rangelands, with a focus on the Irtysh pine forest, the dry Aral Seabed, and saxaul rangelands. To this end, the project components include the following. The first component within the Irtysh pine forest, includes contingencies and support by the Global Environment facility (GEF), towards improved reforestation, including seedlings, and as feasible, directly seeded hectares, through the reestablishment of seed production areas to ensure quality, and applied research on cost-effective nursery, planting and direct seeding technologies, e.g., greenhouses, containers, seed pelleting. Flexible, performance based budgeting and contracting will be used. This component will also support improved fire management and other forestry activities, as well as the development of forest partnerships. The second component for the environmental amelioration in Kyzylorda, includes planting on the dry Aral seabed, through an accelerated expansion of the vegetative cover, planting areas with seedlings, and as feasible, through seeded lands, using cost-effective nursery and planting technologies, and developing cost-effective direct seeding techniques. In addition, thirty pilot demonstrations of a participatory saxaul rangelands program, will aim at demonstrating rangelands' rehabilitation, and increased access to water for grazing animals. Finally, the third component, capacity building of national institutions, will improve policy and public expenditure analysis, information facilities, human resource development, and organizational management leading to improved policy and budget decisions, public consultation, inventory, planning, monitoring, staff knowledge and skills, and, organizational effectiveness. A competitive grant fund for innovative forest development subprojects, such as timber usufruct sharing to address illegal logging incentives, ecotourism, value added processing of birch, involvement of local people in reforestation or environmental education, private plantations, protection of tungai floodplain protection, among others, will be financed.

The project Leverage Insurance Facility (formerly Partial Risk Guarantee) is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project Leverage Insurance Facility (formerly Partial Risk Guarantee) is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database

The project Irrigation & Drainage Improvement II Project is now in the pipeline.

2007-10-25T04:00:00.000Z

The project Irrigation & Drainage Improvement II Project is now in the pipeline. To see more information, see the project information in the World Bank project database