Ms. Mamta Murthi met with high level officials, taking stock of 20+ years of partnership with Bulgaria
SOFIA, July 31, 2013 – The World Bank’s Regional Director for Central Europe and the Baltic Countries, Ms. Mamta Murthi, made a two day visit to Bulgaria to take stock of the 20+ years of partnership between the country and the World Bank Group. During her visit she met with the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Development Daniela Bobeva, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Zinaida Zlatanova, Minister of Finance Petar Chobanov, and President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rossen Plevneliev.
“It was very encouraging to hear the appreciation of our long lasting, changing, and innovative partnership with Bulgaria after 20+ years of cooperation. I am glad also to see the strong demand for the World Bank’s Reimbursable Advisory Services in Bulgaria” Mamta Murthi said.
Since Bulgaria joined the World Bank Group in 1990, it has received approximately $4 billion in lending for support to reforms in areas such as banking, revenue administration, health, social welfare, environmental protection, general manufacturing, agribusiness, and infrastructure - including 44 operations, 24 investment loans, four Global Environmental Fund grants and two World Bank-managed Prototype Carbon Fund operations.
The World Bank Group Country Partnership Strategy for Bulgaria, in place since 2011, has reinforced the move toward a knowledge partnership. This strategy supports smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth, and is in line with the Europe 2020 agenda and National Reform Program. It supports Bulgaria in making the most of its EU funding, through investments in, for example, roads, water and sanitation, and innovation.
In a recent note, the World Bank Group identified 10 avenues to foster smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth in Bulgaria. The analysis is structured around the three themes of: CHANCES—the opportunities and challenges; CHOICES—the policy options; and CHANGES—the expected results.
