DUSHANBE, February 29, 2012, Asia-Plus — The World Bank Director for Strategy and Operations in Europe and Central Asia, Mr. Theodore Ahlers, and the newly appointed World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia, Mr. Saroj Kumar Jha completed their visit to the countries of Central Asia (CA) region.
From February 12 to 24, 2012 accompanied by the WB regional team members, the WB Delegation visited Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
Press release issued by the World bank on February 28 says the aim of this regional tour was to meet with the respective governments in the countries, the core groups of ministers and development partners, donors and discuss the issues of strategic partnership of the World Bank with the CA region, the critical development and implementation matters of the national economies, reform agenda, policies, as well as the status of the renewed Country Partnership Strategies for 2012-15FY and ongoing countries” programs supported by the World Bank.
Thus, during the visit to Tajikistan, Mr. Ahlers and Mr. Jha discussed the government priorities for a tentative allocation of up to USD 100 million in IDA resources in the next two years as part of consultations on the Country Partnership Strategy Progress Report, noting the considerable accomplishments in the current portfolio of fourteen projects.
During the high level meetings in the countries of Central Asia the WB management reassured that the international experience brought in by the World Bank would remain the strongest contribution for knowledge exchange on global best practices in economic growth, employment creation, social modernization, and sustainable development to significantly accelerate implementation of key countries’ reforms.
In response to concerns expressed by the partner countries they may experience major flooding during the coming spring Mr. Jha has informed the leadership of the CA countries that the World Bank is committed to provide expertise and financial assistance to help mitigate the flood impacts. A team from the Bank’s disaster risk management unit will be mobilized to assess the risks and provide advice and support in advance of a possible emergency.
