In 2007 the Azerbaijani government plans to receive from the World Bank (WB) a $50m loan within the framework of the State Program on Treatment of Oil-Polluted Lands in Absheron Region, Trend ahs been informed at the government. It is an initial amount of loan designed while shaping a limitation for the Country's foreign debts in 2007.
According to the WB's estimations, the oil polluted areas in Azerbaijan range from 10,000 to 30,000 hectares. Azerbaijan is distinguished from other countries where the relevant treatment measures have been carried out, is high concentration of oil and gas pollution in small area. The pollution of areas is not observed presently because the leading ecological standards are observed under the PSA. The pollution has progressed by centuries and almost hundred million dollars are required for their treatment.
With the consideration that the measures cover the sphere of activities of many government bodies (the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Emergencies, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Ecology), the WB proposed the government to establish a special Agency charged in regulating the treatment program. Thompson said that the government positively approached the issue and it can find its resolution in the presidential decree on action plan on treatment of oil-polluted lands.