The World Bank has been providing assistance to Belarus since 1992 in the form of loans, technical assistance and coordination of aid from other donors, mainly in the areas of health, education, environment and social security, with the overall objective of contributing to economic development of the country. Implemented projects of the World Bank in Belarus include The Bank Civil Society Programme (including Small Grants Programme in 2000-2004, Capacity building for NGOs and Cooperation with local authorities in 2002, and Decentralised Development Marketplace in 2003), Belarus Business Enabling Environment (Phase 2 is currently being implemented) and Information Society and e-Development Programmes in 2003. From 2003 to 2007, the World Bank provided lending to a number of projects by Belarusian companies in the sphere of financial markets and agribusiness. The list of the World Bank grants to Belarus can be found on the World Bank official website. Current lending assistance of the World Bank to Belarus equals to US$243 million, with US $17.5 million provided as grants. Two projects are now being implemented – the Social Infrastructure Retrofitting project (US $22.6 million), approved in 2001, and the Post Chernobyl Recovery project (US $50 million), approved in 2006. As of today, Belarus has successfully completed Phase 1 of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment grant (total amount US$17 million for the period 2004-2009), and in 2006 the GFATM grant to address the TB situation (total amount US$14.2 million was approved). In addition, extensive analytical work on situation in Belarus has been produced by the World Bank. Under the new Country Assistance Strategy for Belarus for the period 2008-2011, the World Bank is planning a lending programme of roughly one operation a year, with contributions amounting to not more than US$100 million a year. The World Bank might also finance projects with regional or global goods components. In mid 2009, the Bank will carry out analysis of improvements and changes in different areas of Belarusian economy, governance and environment and will review its lending scenarios, with possible increase of support in most promising areas. Priority areas for the World Bank assistance are: Assistance of the World Bank will be provided in cooperation with other international donors, such as the European Commission, UNDP, EBRD, USAID and other organisations. Further information on the World Bank technical assistance to Belarus can be found in the Country Assistance Strategy for Belarus for the period 2008-2011. IMF (INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND) IMF has no programmes in Belarus, but it provides technical assistance to Belarus through annual Article IV Consultations, providing advice on fiscal and monetary policy, banking system, private sector, structural reforms, business climate, privatisation and other issues. Last Article IV Executive Board Consultation was held on August 24, 2007. IMF also participates in various programmes of the World Bank. Important milestones include foreign exchange liberalisation, disinflation, subscription to the IMF’s Data Dissemination Standard (2004) and completion of the Financial Sector Assessment Program. Total technical assistance of IMF from 1992 amounted to more than USD 4 million. In addition, from 1993 to 2006, more than 500 Belarusian officials received IMF training, either in Washington or at the Joint Vienna Institute. Information on IMF activities in Belarus can be found on the IMF official website. EBRD (THE EUROPEAN BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT) EBRD technical assistance to Belarus is outlined in the EBRD Strategy for Belarus approved by the Board of Directors on December 12, 2006. The Strategy states that the operation focus of the EBRD remains on the private sector, particularly on financing of micro, small and medium-sized companies (MSMEs). Support to MSMEs is provided through Business Advisory (BAS) Programmes and Turn Around management (TAM) programmes. As of 2006, the EBRD has financed 11 investment projects in Belarus, covering such issues as energy, transport, telecoms, agribusiness, general industry and banking, with total funding amounting to €185 million. Four projects belonging to the public sector obtained €107 million (58%), while seven projects from the private sector got €78 million (42%). EBRD communicates openly with NGOs and communities, although it does not provide any grants or funding to NGOs. EBRD finances only investment project, but it strongly encourages NGOs to participate in the consultation process for these projects. Information on the EBRD activities with NGOs can be found on the EBRD official website. EBRD supports all major international agreements and cooperates closely with other institutions in various areas. UNDP (UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME) UNDP cooperation with Belarus is regulated by the Country Programme Document (CPD) for 2006-2010. According to the Document, priority areas for UNDP technical assistance to Belarus include: Most UNDP resources come from different multilateral and bilateral donors. UNDP also acts as an Implementing Agency for the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). One of the most important UNDP projects for Belarus is Support Project for the "Cooperation for Rehabilitation" (CORE) Programme in areas affected by Chernobyl. Currently UNDP relies on a new instrument - Thematic Trust Funds - to help achieve development goals. These funds enable donors to provide additional contributions for work in the the UNDP practice areas. They support a multi-year funding framework - a compact among donors, host governments and UNDP to implement result-oriented programmes at the country, regional and global levels.
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