MOGILEV, 11 May (BelTA) - Mogilev Oblast and the World Bank intend to develop cooperation in housing, energy and education. Such an agreement was reached during a meeting between Mogilev Oblast Governor Vladimir Domanevsky and the World Bank delegation headed by Franciscus Godts, Executive Director at the Board of the World Bank Group representing the constituency of Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Turkey, BelTA has learned.
Vladimir Domanevsky thanked the World Bank for the financial support provided to the region to implement projects in various sectors that helped to make them more efficient. “We support the World Bank's efforts to ensure strong and sustainable economic growth for the benefit of all segments of the population and to invest in people, particularly in health and education, social security system,” the governor stressed.
In the utilities sector the region is implementing two projects: The development of water supply and discharge systems and Using wood biomass for district central heating. Many activities have been implemented under these projects. A number of facilities have been commissioned and some others are in progress. “We intend to continue to cooperate with the World Bank in these areas and other sectors which are important for the development of the economy and social sector,” Vladimir Domanevsky said.
He informed the World Bank Group of the new projects and said that the region is interested in closer cooperation in order to improve the efficiency and quality of utility services. The major projects include construction of waste recycling plants in Mogilev and Bobruisk and expansion and construction of a landfill where more effective waste disposal and recycling will be possible.
According to the governor, another important area of cooperation is revamping Belarus' educational facilities. The project involves 19 schools of the region. “I am glad that our region is implementing a pilot project to try out normative financing of high schools, secondary schools and kindergartens. We already see positive results, so we are expanding the range of project participants to include other educational institutions of the region,” he said. Vladimir Domanevsky suggested carrying on joint efforts to improve physical infrastructure of educational facilities and to conduct capital repairs of municipal schools and kindergartens. On behalf of the regional authorities and the public he thanked the World Bank for its considerable contribution to this important project.
“Potential of our cooperation is far from being exhausted. Therefore, we hope to keep it up and implement new landmark projects that will promote sustainable development of the region and help increase living standards of people,” Vladimir Domanevsky said.
For his part, Franciscus Godts praised Mogilev Oblast for efficient implementation of the projects supported by the World Bank Group. The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank Group could see it while visiting some facilities. He expressed confidence that the new projects and events suggested by the regional administration will be carefully studied. He assured that cooperation will continue in the areas of mutual interest.
The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank Group visited a residential house at 3rd Oktyabrsky Lane that needs thermal rehabilitation, Mogilev CHPP-1 and studied the operation and development prospects of OAO Lenta.
