The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors on 12 June discussed a new Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for Uzbekistan focused on basic human needs and improving living standards. The CAS is a document that details the World Bank Group's work plan to assist client countries in achieving their development goals.

The new CAS for Uzbekistan covers the period 2008-2011 and plans on contributing to the financing of 2-3 public investment projects per year, as well as support to the private sector, through the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector lending arm of the World Bank Group, a press release by the World Bank Country Office in Tashkent said.

The Bank Group's new strategy is designed to support the Welfare Improvement Strategy (WIS) adopted by Uzbek Government last summer. Specifically, by 2011, it aims at achieving measurable progress in the following areas: Enabling an environment for shared growth; increasing income and economic opportunities in rural areas; improving service delivery for better health, education, and water supply to population; improving the business environment for the private sector; and more efficient environmental management, disaster risk management and global public goods provision, including regional cooperation. In addition to lending, the World Bank Group (WBG) support also includes policy advice in these key areas.

"Our goal is to improve the quality of life of the people of Uzbekistan," says Annette Dixon, World Bank Country Director for Central Asia. "After extensive consultations with the government and civil society, we are confident that Bank's financial and knowledge support can help make a significant difference."

During consultations for the preparation of this CAS, the Government expressed its broad agreement with the proposed priority framework for the Bank Group's assistance under the CAS. Discussions with civil society representatives were also very supportive of the proposed strategy and participants expressed their keen desire to see the WBG continue and increase its support and activities in Uzbekistan. Overall, the consultations indicated that the new CAS's focus on basic human needs and improving living standards is aligned with the country's needs. Many stakeholders also solicited increased involvement of the WBG in improving the enabling environment for development of the private sector.

The proposed CAS framework will allow the consolidation of results, expansion of the areas of engagement, and the strengthening of the role of the Bank as a trusted partner.

The CAS provides for a regular review process to assess whether the target outcomes are being achieved.

As of now, the impact of World Bank projects in Uzbekistan includes:

• Nearly 44,000 people who now have access to safe water and over 800,000 who have improved quality and quantity water in South Karakalpakstan;

• 90% of covered population have access to water and 75-87% satisfied with water supply services;

• Over 5,000 farmers benefited from improved irrigation;

• Over 11 million people living in rural areas have had access to medical services through over 2,300 improved and refurbished primary care centers;

• The incidence of infectious diseases has reduced.

Uzbekistan joined the World Bank in 1992. The World Bank's mission in the country is to improve people's livelihoods through being a partner in economic reforms, supporting the modernization of the country's social sectors and infrastructure, and sharing its knowledge and experience with the government and the people of Uzbekistan. Total World Bank commitments to Uzbekistan amount to USD 650 million.

Uzreport.com