Strengthening Transport Links in Southeast Europe : the World Bank Program

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Strengthening Transport Links in Southeast Europe
the World Bank Program

• TDA Southeast Europe Energy and Transportation
  Conference,
• Sept 13-15, 2000
• Gerald Ollivier (Golliver_at_worldbank.org)
• Transport Specialist
• World Bank

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Strategy for Southeast Europe

• Defined in The Road to Stability and
  Prosperity in Southeastern Europe
  http//www.seerecon.org/RegionalInitiatives/wbrs.p
  df
• Prosperity/Poverty Reduction through Peace,
  Stability and Sustainable Growth
• EU integration and enabling environment
• Social inclusion/change
• Institutional strengthening (anti-corruption)
• Regional infrastructure investments

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World Bank Transport Program in SEE

• 13 active projects, (US800 million), 6 under
  preparation
• Enabling Infrastructure,Sound Policies,Strong
  Institutions
• Rehabilitate existing networks
• Strengthen Legal/Regulatory/Institutional
• Support regional integration
• Support traffic safety and environmental
  protection

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• Thank you.

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The TTFSE Program

• US 100 million regional program building on a
  number of initiatives
• Six countries Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
  Bulgaria, Croatia, Fyr of Macedonia, Romania
• Diversity (trade, economic development, customs
  reform)
• Common Goal EU accession
• Core issues lack of cooperation, unclear
  requirements, annual excess cost to trade US30
  million, deficient infrastructure and IT

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Development Objectives of the Program

• The Program Seeks Two Development Objectives
• (i) To Reduce Non-tariff Costs to Trade and
  Transport
• (ii) To Reduce Smuggling and Corruption at
  Border Crossings
• with a focus on transaction costs at borders,
  regional coop.
• Status 4 project negotiated

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Program Components

• a. TS to support Customs reform
• b. TS to strengthen cooperation/information
  availability (border agencies/private)
• c. Training to transport/logistic/trade
  professionals (GFP- Distance Learning Initiative)
• d. Equipment and TS for Customs information
  system
• e. Civil works/equipment for border crossing
  facilities

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Business Opportunities
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Enhanced Environment

• Improved border agencies
• A regional website
• Procedures/requirements of various border
  agencies
• Forum
• Information on waiting time
• Distance Learning Initiative complemented by
  conventional training Community of
  Professionals

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Pilot Site Approach

• Objectives
• Improve operational efficiency and effectiveness
• Promote cooperation among border agencies and
  cross-border
• Concept
• Small scale operational approach
• Ownership by participants
• Test bed for new ideas and initiatives with
  monitoring

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Useful Links

• The TTFSE Program http//www/seerecon.org/Region
  alInitiatives/ttfse.htm
• Business Opportunities http//www.seerecon.org/B
  usinessOpportunities/BusinessOpportunities.htm
• Regional Initiatives
• http//www.seerecon.org/RegionalInitiatives/Regio
  nalinitiatives.htm
• World Bank/European Community Strategy Paper
• http//www.seerecon.org/RegionalInitiatives/wbrs.
  pdf
• World Bank Portfolio in Croatia
• http//www.worldbank.hr/Operations/Operations.htm

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PIT Managers