WB, ADB delegations visiting Baku

/By AzerNews/

By Nigar Orujova

The delegations of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank are on an official visit to Azerbaijan.

The WB observation mission arrived in Azerbaijan to monitor closely the water projects implemented in the country, the WB office in Baku reported.

"This mission is headed by Manuel Marino, WB leading expert on Water Sector. The mission's visit is scheduled to last till December 17," the office said.

During the visit, meetings with government officials are also scheduled. The mission will also get familiar with the implementation process of the project "National water supply and sewerage services" and the second project of "National water supply and sewerage services."

The first project "National water supply and sewerage services" approved in June 2007 is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The total project's cost is $ 310 million.

The second project "National water supply and sewerage services" is being implemented since 2008. It has already helped improve the relevant infrastructure in the three regional centers, covering more than 120,000 inhabitants. The total cost of the second project, scheduled for completion in 2017, is $234 million.

The office also reported that another mission led by Elizabeth Wang, Senior Financial Officer at WB monitoring the project "Regional roads" has already completed its visit to Azerbaijan. During the visit, the mission reviewed the progress of the project.

Earlier, the WB reported that preparations for the project are expected to be completed by the end of 2014. Its approval by the Board of Directors of the Bank is expected during the current fiscal year, which ends for the World Bank on June 30, 2015.

The total cost of the project is $368.33 million, $ 250 million of which will be allocated by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD, part of the WB).

So far, the World Bank has allocated some $3.6 billion to 51 projects in Azerbaijan, which has been a member of the WB since 1992.

The total liabilities of the bank to the country have amounted to over $3 billion on 54 projects during this period. About $1.7 billion was allocated for the implementation of the road-transport projects.

The World Bank also finances the modernization and rehabilitation of road sections of the existing East-West and North-South corridors, namely the Alat-Masalli third highway, rehabilitation of the Kurdamir-Ujar section of the Baku-Georgian border highway, rehabilitation of the Baku- Shamakhi road, reconstruction of the road from Tagiyev settlement to the Sahil settlement bypassing Baku, Hajigabul-Bahramtepe road and expansion of the Baku-Shamakhi/Muganli highway.

Azerbaijan, ADB to cooperate further

Azerbaijan cooperates with a number of banks for a long period. Another bank that invests in the development of the country is the Asian Development Bank, whose mission is also on a visit to Azerbaijan.

Deputy Minister of Labor Ilgar Rahimov met with the mission on December 11.

Rahimov said expansion of cooperation with ADB will be an important impetus to the development of projects in urban infrastructure in Azerbaijan.

"ADB-financed projects are aimed at development of social infrastructure and improvement of living conditions in the country. Now, the bank in the country is working on assessing the development of urban infrastructure improvements as part of the state program on urban planning. Adopting an integrated approach towards urban planning, the principles of inclusiveness and ensuring equal opportunities in these works are positive things," he said.

ADB delegation led by Colin Arnott said a positive experience gained in joint projects of the bank and Azerbaijan is the foundation of successful work in the evaluation of urban development.

"Works on the assessment cover the most important aspects of urban planning and urban developments and contribute to the improvement of our advice in this area,” he added.

Nail Valiyev, economist of the ADB in Azerbaijan, said the mission assesses the level of urban development and urban infrastructure. The mission will stay in Azerbaijan for a week.

"The purpose of the visit is to assess all aspects of the city developments, including transport, water supply, education, health, social security, architectural planning, administrative issues, short-term strategy. These estimates are now underway not only in Azerbaijan but also in all member countries of the bank, and this work is not aimed at any project," he explains.

Earlier, ADB President Takehiko Nakao said Azerbaijan and the ADB will continue deepening bilateral relations as part of a cooperation strategy for 2014-2018.

The cooperation within the framework of this strategy will help Azerbaijan diversify its economy and develop its private sector, Nakao said.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members - 48 from the region. In 2013, ADB assistance totaled $21 billion, including co-financing of $6.6 billion.