6 December 2007
Kyrgyz Republic Country Updates provide information about recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to International Financial Institution (IFI) involvement in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Kyrgyz Republic Country Updates provide information about recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to International Financial Institution (IFI) involvement in the Kyrgyz Republic including that of the World Bank (WB), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Monetary Fund (IMF), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Asian Development Bank (ADB). If you would like to be included or removed from the distribution list, please email the moderator, George Holliday at . Correspondence with BIC may be conducted in Russian.
The Bank Information Center (BIC) partners with civil society in developing and transition countries to influence the World Bank and other international financial institutions (IFIs) to promote social and economic justice and ecological sustainability. BIC is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization that advocates for the protection of rights, participation, transparency, and public accountability in the governance and operations of the World Bank, regional development banks, and IMF. For more information about BIC, see www.bicusa.org.
I. IFI Project Activities
World Bank approves Second Village Investment Project in Kyrgyz Republic
The World Bank approved an IDA grant to the Kyrgyz Republic for the Second Village Investment project August 3, 2006. The project is expected to close in 2011.
ADB scheduled to approve Kyrgyz Vocational Education and Skills Training Project January 29
EBRD decides against involvement with controversial Sakhalin II project in Russia
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has decided not to fund the largest oil and gas project in the world, Sakhalin II, on Russia’s Far Eastern island after several years of consultations. Also, read earlier events on the development of the project.
II. IFI Consultations and Policy Updates
World Bank Mission traveled to Bishkek to assess Kyrgyz entry into HIPC Initiative
A World Bank Mission spent November 29- December 15 in Bishkek conducting technical discussions on the triggers for the possible entry of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.
IMF Executive Board Concludes 2006 Article IV Consultation with the Kyrgyz Republic
A Public Information Notice (PIN) January 8, 2007 describes the results of the November consultation in the Kyrgyz Republic. These Public Information Notices (PINs) form part of the IMF's efforts to promote transparency of the IMF's views and analysis of economic developments and policies.
IMF Executive Board Completes Third Review Under the Kyrgyz Republic's PRGF Arrangement and Approves US$1.9 Million Disbursement
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has completed the third review of the Kyrgyz Republic's performance under its economic reform program supported by a three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) arrangement.
ADB opens Consultations on New Energy Policy June 2006
The Asian Development Bank launched consultations for a new energy policy in Manila, the Philippines. These consultations are said to be ongoing.
EBRD Annual Meeting Set for May 20-21 in Kazan, Russia
The EBRD has finalized plans to hold its Annual Meeting in Kazan, Russia. Soon online registration will be available. NGO and press registration is necessary. Follow the progress on the Annual Meeting on the EBRD site.
ADB publishes Core Labor Standards Handbook, October 2006
This handbook discusses how to abolish child labor, eliminate discrimination, as well as forced labor, and addresses freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining. It also looks at incorporating core labor standards in country strategies and programs as well as in project design and implementation. The full report can be downloaded from the ADB site.
III. Civil Society Activities
Kyrgyz activists protest debt initiative outside World Bank office in Bishkek
December 6, 2006, about 150 Kyrgyz protesters gathered around the World Bank's office in Bishkek to protest their government’s decision to take on the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC) - a World Bank and International Monetary Fund program to help poor countries by writing off part of their debt.
National Budget Group of Azerbaijan travels to Washington, DC and New York
The National Budget Group of Azerbaijan held a press conference at the International Press Center on December 7, 2006 devoted to the results of the study tour to Washington DC and New York. The trip was in part made possible by Revenue Watch Institute, and featured meetings with the World Bank Group and the IMF.
Global Transparency Initiative comments on EBRD draft disclosure procedures
On December 6, 2006, the Global Transparency Initiative (GTI) submitted comments to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) regarding their draft Public Information Policy: Implementing Procedural Provisions for Information Requests and Appeals.
BIC’s ECA Program releases new publications
BIC offers new publications on transparency: a guide to the policy weaknesses in the IFIs, a public disclosure agreement project, and the Extractive Industries Implementation Status Report.
Workshop held on the negative gender impacts of IFI sponsored big oil
The conference was sponsored by Gender Action, Heinrich Böll Foundation North America and Bank Information Center on November 29, 2006 at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC. The speakers presented and commented on the results of a study on two IFI sponsored big oil projects: the BTC Pipeline (Azerbaijan, Georgia) and Sakhalin II (Russia).
Oslo conference on the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative held in October 2006
October 19, 2006. More than 100 civil society activists from over 50 countries gathered in Oslo, Norway, called for stronger requirements on disclosure of revenues and contracts in the oil, mining and gas sectors.
Global Transparency Initiative releases report on practical uses of IFI transparency
October 12, 2006. This report deftly monitors and analyses the practical and real-world application of the access to information provisions and participatory decision-making processes at the international financial institutions (IFIs).
IV. Additional Resources
Previous Country Updates and related reports can be found on BIC’s website on the Europe and Central Asia updates page. These reports are available in English and in Russian.