Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 1 June (BelTA) – I hope that a balanced effective partnership strategy of Belarus and the World Bank for near-term will be prepared by 2017, Belarus Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov said as he met with Vice President of the World Bank's Europe and Central Asia region Cyril Muller, BelTA has learned.

“We are grateful to the World Bank for financial support and the joint projects which are aimed at solving the most urgent tasks of economic development and improving the quality of life of Belarusians. We appreciate the highest expertise that the Bank lends for analytical research on various areas of social and economic development. From our side we are ready to offer the significant experience that experts have accumulated when working constructively on joint projects and research. I am sure that all this will help prepare a balanced effective new country partnership strategy for the near-term by 2017,” Andrei Kobyakov said.

The Prime Minister stressed that Belarus attaches great importance to cooperation with the World Bank. “We always view the World Bank as an important and serious partner, with serious investment resources and most advanced experience and knowledge,” the Belarusian head of government said.

Andrei Kobyakov noted that over the 20-year history of cooperation, Belarus has received significant financial support from the World Bank in implementing joint projects. During this time the World Bank has allocated almost $1.5 billion in preferential credit resources for the development of important areas. “In the last six years alone, Belarus has received about $1 billion from the Bank. These are very illustrative results,” the Belarusian Prime Minister said.