Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend I.Khalilova / The date of signing of a package of documents as a result of talks between the World Bank and the Azerbaijan government will be confirmed by 5 May. WB Baku Office reported that talks on the project to improve the water supply and sewerage system in Azerbaijani towns were held last week.
The WB, represented by a mission headed by the director of the projecting group, Andreas Rode, has signed a protocol of talks. On the part of Azerbaijan the document will be signed by the Finance Minister and the Minister for Economic Development and then submitted to the Prime Minister for his signature. Finally, it will be submitted to the WB Board of Directors for approval.
The WB Baku office announced that the Government has fulfilled all terms preceding the negotiations, namely audit of Azersu and the initial water project 'Water Supply of Big Baku' financed by the WB, has been done.
The total budget of the project and its components were estimated. According to the estimations, the budget of the project comprises $310mln, with $230mln of them to be allocated by the WB and the remaining funds to be allotted by the Azerbaijani government.
Investment and reconstruction of the water supply and sewerage system infrastructure are provided within the framework of the first component. The work will be carried out primarily in 10 Azerbaijani regions (Agstafa, Bilasuvar, Geranboy, Gabala, Guba, Saatli, Oghuz, Khanlar, Tovuz, Zagatala, Hajigabul, Gazakh, Gakh, Mingachevir, Sabirabad, Samukh, Shamkir, Ter-Ter as well as Sharur and Babak (the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic). The project covers 20 regions of the country.
The second component provides technical aid for the development of a General Plan on the Development of Baku City and Absheron Peninsula Water Supply. The third component includes the upgrade of Azersu joint stock company. International standards of financial accounting will be introduced and the billing system will be improved.
The implementation of the project will be completed by 2012.