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World Bank positive about cooperation with Belarus in forestry industry
Photo courtesy of the Forestry Ministry
MINSK, 11 February (BelTA) – The World Bank is satisfied with progress in implementing the project designed to develop Belarus’ forestry industry. The relevant statement was made by World Bank Country Manager for Belarus Alex Kremer as he met with top officials of the Belarusian Forestry Ministry, the ministry’s press service told BelTA.
In his words, over the years of cooperation the Belarusian Forestry Ministry has earned a reputation as a reliable partner. It allows one to say cooperation will continue.
Kseniya Lvovsky, World Bank Practice Manager for Environmental and Natural Resources in Europe and Central Asia, said: “We are now preparing a global report on forestry industry and would like to note that Belarus can be represented in it as one of the world’s best practices.”
Belarusian Forestry Minister Vitaly Drozhzha thanked Alex Kremer and the group of experts for fruitful work. He remarked that the implementation of the project designed to develop Belarus’ forestry industry had allowed considerably improving the physical infrastructure of forestry enterprises, improving the quality of the work. The minister stressed the work continues. Plans have been made to build a forest seed center in Mogilev Oblast this year. “All of us can see how climate change affects the stability of forests. We understand that it is not a problem of one country but a global problem. This is why it is important to move forward,” he concluded.
In April 2015 the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Forestry Ministry acting on behalf of the Belarusian government signed a loan agreement as part of the project designed to develop Belarus’ forestry industry. The IBRD granted a loan to the tune of $40.174 million. The money was invested in the construction of modern forest nurseries to grow balled saplings and in the acquisition of the necessary machines and equipment. After reviewing progress in implementing the project in March 2018 the World Bank Board of Directors decided in favor of allocating an additional loan to the tune of €12 million. The money is expected to upscale individual components the initial project envisages.
The main goals of the project to develop Belarus’ forestry industry is to improve the effectiveness of forest breeding, forest restoration, forest planting, and improve the usage of logging residue. Over 90 Belarusian forestry enterprises take part in the project.
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