In a strong signal to Liberia and the donor community, following a discussion of the World Banks re-engagement strategy for Liberia, the World Banks Board of Executive Directors has approved the Banks
engagement in key activities to assist the country in making a successful transition from decades of violent conflict. This information is contained in a press release from the World Bank on Wednesday.
Based on yesterdays endorsement, the Bank will be able to assist Liberia
more actively in this transitional post-conflict period, while a plan is
developed to clear its substantial external arrears. Approximately US dollar 4 million
will initially come from the Low-Income Countries Under Stress (LICUS) Trust
Fund. Other grants supporting improvements in economic management,
infrastructure rehabilitation, and natural resource management are expected to
follow in the coming months.
The Bank aims to contribute to a highly coordinated effort between
Liberias development partners and the National Transitional Government of
Liberia to focus reconstruction efforts on an agreed set of priority results
which were endorsed at last months International Reconstruction Conference in
New York. This focus on early and sustained results builds on efforts to
benchmark reconstruction in post-conflict countries and represents a new push by
development partners to tighten coordination and increase the impact of aid for
reconstruction.
The World Banks first priority will be to promote
economic and social revival in the communities. We will also help to set up
accountable economic management, get going to restore roads, power and water,
and improve the governance of forestry, explained Mats Karlsson, the World
Banks Country Director for Liberia.
No loans have been made since 1984, when Liberia entered a twenty year
period of serious troubles. If the arrears clearance is achieved before December
2005, the Bank would be able to fully re-engage in Liberia with International
Development Association (IDA) resources.
Kilde: Verdensbanken
