4 December 2007
The Kyrgyz Republic Updates provide information about recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institution’s (IFIs) in Kyrgyz Republic.
If you would like to be included or removed from the distribution list, please email the moderator, George Holliday at gholliday@bicusa.org. Correspondence with BIC may be conducted in Russian.
I. IFI Project Activities
World Bank approves $5 million for Project on Reducing Technical Barriers for Entrepreneurship and Trade
The project, which was approved on July 13, 2006 aims to streamline the national technical regulation and standards framework for business, develop systems to enhance quality and safety of products and increase enterprise competitiveness in pilot sectors.
II. IFI Consultations and Policy Updates
Kyrgyz Republic Country Strategy Board Meeting is Scheduled for 12-13 December, 2006
According to the EBRD NGO newsletter, the Board Date for the new Kyrgyz Republic Country Strategy is 12-13 December, 2006. Board Consultation visits are planned for 25-29 September, 2006.
EBRD Approves New Energy Policy
The Bank approved new Energy Policy in July, 2006. The new policy is not yet available on EBRD website.
EBRD Releases New Public Information Policy
On May 16, 2006, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development approved the new Public Information Policy (PIP). While some improvements have been made, the new policy does not incorporate many of the recommendations provided by the Global Transparency Intiative (GTI). Changes in the revised PIP include required disclosure of: salaries for EBRD management, Executive Directors and Alternate Directors; draft country strategies; a list of policies and strategies to be reviewed in the upcoming 12-months; a "black-list" of clients found to have engaged in corruption; project summary documents translated into official national languages. Civil society analyses, official correspondence with the EBRD, and other information is available from the following links:
ADB Solicits Comments on the Draft Translation Framework
Asian Development Bank seeks public comments on a draft Translation Framework. The framework will extend the scope of information available to the public in languages other than English (the working language of the ADB). Send the comments to: . Comments received by 31 July, 2006 will be posted on ADB’s website through September 2006, along with the name of the organization or individual commenting, and will be considered in the next draft of the framework. Translation Framework is scheduled to be approved in October, 2006. More information is available from the following links:
ADB Safeguard Policy Update Delayed
The update process of the ADB’s three safeguard policies has been extended from its original timeline due to an evaluation of ADB policy implementation undertaken by OED, scheduled to end in June, 2006. Although the official deadline for suggestions has passed, the ADB continues to accept comments on the Discussion Note, which can be sent to . ADB is scheduled to begin face-to-face consultations including 5 country-level consultations and 5 sub-regional consultations in 4th Quarter of 2006. The Board consideration for the final paper is scheduled for November, 2007. The Safeguard Policy includes policies on: Involuntary Resettlement, Indigenous Peoples and Environment. Civil society analyses, official correspondence with the ADB, and other information is available from the following links:
World Bank and IMF Collaboration to be Reviewed by an External Committee
The two institutions are soliciting comments on WB and IMF Collaboration, which can be submitted to the electronic mailbox or emailed to until September 15, 2006. IMF and the World Bank will create a six-member External Review Committee mandated by the World Bank President and the Managing Director of the IMF to examine the areas of Bank-Fund collaboration and propose improvements
III. Civil Society Activities
BIC Executive Director Manish Bapna testifies at Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the Multilateral Development Banks
Chaired by Senator Richard Lugar, the hearing focused on the development effectiveness of infrastructure projects funded by the multilateral development banks (MDBs). Discussants presented the role of infrastructure in development and how to maximize development results.
European NGOs meet with EBRD President Jean Lemierre
Once again this year the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Annual Meeting in London concluded with a meeting between NGO representatives from across central and Eastern Europe and the president of the EBRD, Jean Lemierre. Discussion was wide-ranging and vigorous. The main points of the meeting revolved around the issues of NGO interventions in the extreme political and social climate in Uzbekistan, the reviews of several key EBRD policies, and an exchange of views on controversial developments that continue to plague the Sakhalin II project in Russia.
2006 Annual Meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group
The next annual Meeting of the IMF and WB will take place on September 19-20 in Singapore to discuss a range of issues related to poverty reduction, international economic development and finance. In addition to the meetings of the Boards of Governors, the Development Committee and the International Monetary and Financial Committee are officially convened.
Oslo Conference
The Norwegian Government is hosting a third plenary conference, aimed at promoting and consolidating the EITI, in Oslo from 16 to 17 October, 2006. The conference’s main objectives are to expand the number of countries participating in the process and improve EITI implementation, by building on experiences gained so far.
European CSO release a statement on governance reform of the IMF
The organizations call on their governments to support fundamental reforms of the IMF, including: ending inequality in decision making, opening leadership selection and making governing bodies transparent. The letter is available online on Bretton Woods Project website.
IV. Additional Resources
PLEASE NOTE: In addition to the above reports more information on Civil Society activities can be found in the Extractive Industry Review (EIR) Update April 2006 (also available in Russian) and on the BIC Europe and Central Asia webpage.