Kazakhstan-KZ | World Bank

Land acquisition policy framework

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

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. The persons affected by the project are the owners of land, properties, and businesses that will be used for the implementation of the sub-projects, either permanently or temporarily, as well as those whose livelihoods are connected to the affected land or properties. 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.

Kazakhstan - Moinak Electricity Transmission Project

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Promoting Efficient Water Use in Agriculture in Central Asia

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:42:17 GMT

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: Elena Karaban, ekaraban@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

Environmental management plan

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

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.

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

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:10:40 GMT

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

WORLD BANK IN KAZAKHSTAN ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF 2009 GRANT COMPETITION FOR NGOS UNDER THE CIVIL SOCIETY SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT FUND

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:58:15 GMT

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 Is In ‘Adaptation Deficit’

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:25:40 GMT

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

###

Kazakhstan - Moinak Electricity Transmission Project

Wed, 13 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Kazakhstan: South West Roads Project: Western Europe-Western

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:19:41 GMT

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

World Bank Supports Improved Transport Efficiency and Safety in Kazakhstan

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:05:45 GMT

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.

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

http://www.worldbank.org.kz

Kazakhstan South-West Roads Project

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:45:00 GMT

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

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

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

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

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.

Ust-Kamenogorsk Environmental Remediation Project Launched Today

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:25:33 GMT

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.

# # #

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

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

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Updated resettlement policy framework

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The overall goal of the Government's Western Europe to Western China (WE-WC) Corridor development program is to improve transport efficiency and safety, and promote development along one of Kazakhstan's main strategic road transport corridors. Some of the negative impacts and their mitigation measures are: 1) avoid or minimize land acquisition and resettlement; 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 should enable affected persons to restore their pre-project incomes and standard of living by the end of the project affected persons must be consulted and participate in resettlement planning; 4) affected persons must be fully informed of their compensation options; 5) land-for-land swap is the preferred compensation for lost agricultural land, if it is available, unless an affected person chooses cash compensation; 6) costs of transfer of property-purchase or swap-are waived or borne by the investor, including taxes, fees, documentation and court appeals; 7) compensation will be made giving equal consideration to women and men; 8) lack of formal title or use agreement does not bar affected persons from entitlements or assistance required to achieve the objectives of the policy; 9) relocated affected persons receive relocation and transition subsistence allowances; 10) special attention should 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; 11) land acquisition and resettlement are executed as part of the Project and fully funded; and 12) compensation will be fully provided before land can be entered for civil works or demolition.

Doing Business Reforms in Kazakhstan

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 08:09:40 GMT

The World Bank

Kazakhstan

News Release

Contact:
In Almaty: Elena Karaban (7-727) 2980-580
ekaraban@worldbank.org
In Astana: Oxana Miller (7-7172) 580-555
omiller@worldbank.org

Kazakhstan reforms actively in seven Doing Business areas; new legislation now needs to be reflected in business practices

Almaty, March 13, 2009 - The World Bank believes that improving business environment in Kazakhstan is needed to support the private sector, and especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to weather the current financial crisis and global economic slowdown. The World Bank Doing Business Reform team gives a positive assessment of the Government's efforts to improve the country's business environment, as measured by the Doing Business report. The World Bank Country Office in Kazakhstan, the Doing Business Reform unit, and the IFC Trade and Logistics team are evaluating the reforms and discussing with the Government further steps to improve business climate.

The Government of Kazakhstan has been implementing reforms in several key areas, such as starting a business, construction permitting, cross-border trade, transfer of immovable property, investor protection, getting a credit, and improving insolvency frameworks.

"We are pleased to note improvements in areas critical to the Kazakh economy. For example, elimination of export licenses for a number of products is vital to support trade for a landlocked country like Kazakhstan," - said Andrea Dall'Olio, World Bank Central Asia Regional Coordinator for Finance and Private Sector Development. "Similarly, processes for construction-related activities are being simplified and costs are being reduced: this should support a sector which has been negatively affected by the current economic conditions."

Reforms have also continued at a steady pace in areas such as starting a business. Services provided by the Center for the Service of the Population (a form of one-stop-shop) are becoming fully operational, making life easier for entrepreneurs willing to establish a new business. In the transfer of immovable property, notary fees are expected to be reduced and unified according to a single scheme for the entire country. An additional area receiving further attention is the framework for an orderly exit of insolvent businesses. Efforts are also underway to strengthen creditors' rights and the quality of credit information, which should dampen the negative effects of the credit crunch affecting SMEs in particular.

It is now crucial to ensure that new or amended legislative acts undertaken as part of the Doing Business reform agenda get put into practice. This would require further work by the Government and the private sector.

"Raising awareness of the related reforms among entrepreneurs is essential," - said Stefka Slavova, World Bank Senior Economist at the Doing Business Reform Unit. "If you have new rights but do not know about them, then they are of little use. This is why the Government will be taking steps to ensure the correct application of new or amended legal acts." Activities in this particular are will actually be captured by the next Doing Business report.

According to the World Bank's study Doing Business 2009, which ranks 181 economies of the world on the ease of doing business, Kazakhstan is ranked 70th and firmly holds the place in the first half of the table. On the other hand, Kazakhstan's ranking is uneven and on some of the indicators used in the study the country is among top 25 countries, and on some other indicators it is at the bottom of the list.

Reforms should be sustained over several years and carried out consistently to ensure maximum impact on real economic activity, such as economic growth and job creation. For this reason, the World Bank team is pleased to see the Government's commitment to plan a long-term reform program.

WORLD BANK GROUP STATEMENT ON WATER/ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS IN CENTRAL ASIA

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:41:11 GMT

The World Bank Central Asia Regional Office
Almaty, Kazakhstan

Press Statement

Contacts:
In Washington: Kristyn Schrader (202) 458-2736, kschrader@worldbank.org
In Almaty: Elena Karaban (7-727) 2980580 ekaraban@worldbank.org
In Dushanbe: Dilya Zoirova (992-372) 21 07 56, 21 67 43 dzoirova@worldbank.org
In Tashkent: Matluba Mukhamedova (998-71) 2385950, mmukhamedova@worldbank.org

ALMATY, March 11, 2009 - The World Bank Group recognizes that the sector of water and energy is critically important for the economies and livelihoods of the people throughout Central Asia. Long-term stability in the region and prospects for future economic growth in all the countries of Central Asia largely depend on the successful regional cooperation and consideration of all national strategic interests.

In response to requests from the Central Asian governments, the World Bank Group is actively engaged in the dialogue on water/energy issues with the five countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan). In its work the World Bank Group operates in full accordance with the UN General Assembly Resolution of December 19, 2008 - "The Reliable and Stable Transit of Energy Carriers and Its Role in Ensuring Sustainable Development and International Cooperation", acts in the best interests of all its member countries, and takes utmost care in the application of its policies and procedures.

In recent years, the World Bank in Central Asia has supported a number of energy and water resources projects, studies, and strategies such as the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) energy strategy that was endorsed by all member countries at the November 2008 Ministerial Conference in Baku. The Bank is also providing technical assistance to assess viability and impact of several proposed energy development initiatives in the region.

The World Bank Group believes that it is important to elaborate a Regional Energy Development Framework for Central Asia which would look at all existing and potential energy generation resources in the region, including hydro, coal, thermal power, and others. Such a framework would propose a sequence of actions that will ensure adequate attention to and proper balance between the urgent domestic energy needs of the upstream countries during winter, and environmental and hydrological needs of the downstream countries during summer. The proposed framework will also focus on maximizing energy export potential within the region during winter and beyond the region during summer. The World Bank Group plans to contribute to development of comprehensive short, medium, and long-term plans of actions for consideration of all Central Asian countries as well as potential investors. The establishment of a Central Asia - South Asia Regional Energy Market would be part of the plan of action to realign the energy export potential during summer. In parallel, the WBG will review water resource development and water management issues with stakeholders and partners in Central Asia with a view to support the development of these resources and to facilitate adequate and fair access to these resources by all stakeholders.

With regards to Rogun HEP, proposed by the government of Tajikistan, the World Bank clarifies that it has only committed to provide financing to the Government of Tajikistan to carry out studies to assess the possibility of the project, with particular emphasis on its potential regional impacts. The studies include a Techno-Economic Assessment and an Environmental Impact and Social Assessment and will be carried out by internationally recognized consultant firms, to be hired in coming months under World Bank procurement guidelines. The Terms of Reference of these studies take into account issues for consideration identified by the riparians. In addition, as required by its safeguard policies, the Bank will establish an International Panel of Experts who will provide independent opinion on the outputs of the studies. In parallel to the above studies, to ensure transparency and inclusion of all the stakeholders' concerns, the World Bank has recently initiated consultations in all riparian countries (Afghanistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan). These consultations will continue in 2009-2010, as the results of the studies and the views of the independent experts become available and are reviewed by the riparians.

For more information about World Bank's work in water/energy sector in Europe and Central Asia please visit: http://go.worldbank.org/49Q0LV7T20

Land acquisition policy framework

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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 Health Sector Technology Transfer and Institutional Reform Project Launch

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 05:17:29 GMT