World Bank support program rises to US$300 mln

TIRANA, April 4 – The World Bank program of support to Albania for 2011-2014 has increased to some US$300 million, from the earlier envelope of US$275 million, says Kseniya Lvovsky, World Bank Country Manager for Albania. This increase of up to US$25 million was made in response to 2010 floods and will be used for financing improvements in safety and operation of hydro dams, topping up the original commitment of US$35.3 million. “Our funds will be used increasing the storage capacity of the Komani hydropower plant, rehabilitating spill gateways of all three major dams in the Drin river cascade, and optimizing the operation of the cascade.”
The World Bank has also made available about US$ 14 million from the on-going projects and other sources to help with flood response in the Shkodra area. The funding of US12.4 million will be used for rehabilitation of pumping stations, improving drainage and storm water collection, and drinking water quality testing. By the time the funding was finalized last week, the Ministry of Agriculture had already prepared the needed specifications and bidding documents, so these funds can be put to immediate use.
The World Bank-financed Disaster Management and Adaptation project provided expedited support to the General Directorate of Civil Emergencies to equip the emergency response units with 50 swift rescue motor boats and other equipment for emergency assessment teams. The US$ 1 million grant for technical assistance to repair and rehabilitee damaged flood protection structures and develop a comprehensive flood risk assessment and management plan was provided by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery. The grant was approved in February, and the work has already started, thanks to excellent collaboration between the World Bank and government teams.
The World Bank country director also praised Albania’s e-procurement system.
“I am very pleased that Albania’s e-Procurement system will be the first in the Europe and Central Asia Region to be used in projects funded by the World Bank. It will be piloted under the Secondary and Local Roads Project which is managed by the Albanian Development Fund. The e-Procurement system has demonstrated increased efficiency and transparency of public procurement in Albania over the last two years. The World Bank promotes the use of electronic procurement as part of the procurement reform agenda in countries throughout the world.”