Bishkek, September 23, 2016 – Lilia Burunciuc, new World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia, visited Bishkek on September 22, 2016 to exchange views with the Kyrgyz Republic’s leadership on the country’s development agenda. During her visit, accompanied by World Bank Country Manager in the Kyrgyz Republic Jean-Michel Happi, Ms. Burunciuc met with Prime Minister Sooronbay Jeenbekov, as well as members of Parliament, other senior government officials, and development partners.
In the meeting with Prime Minister Jeenbekov, Ms. Burunciuc discussed the World Bank-financed projects in the Kyrgyz Republic aimed at sustaining economic growth through policy reforms and sector investments in key sectors. Ms. Burunciuc reiterated the Bank Group’s continued support to the Government’s programs aimed at promoting good governance, boosting private sector-led job creation, and improving livelihoods of the Kyrgyz people.
“The World Bank Group remains committed to supporting the Kyrgyz Republic’s development agenda, and we look forward to more discussions and consultations with all stakeholders on the areas of the Bank Group’s cooperation with the country under the upcoming 2018-2021 Country Partnership Framework,” said Lilia Burunciuc. “We have launched the preparation of the Systematic Country Diagnostic, an analytical assessment of the country’s challenges and opportunities to boost shared prosperity and eliminate poverty, which will underpin the 2018-2021 Country Partnership Framework. It will be closely aligned with the country’s next National Development Strategy for maximum impact.”
Ms. Burunciuc assumed her duties of Regional Director for Central Asia on August 1, 2016, and brings a wide range of development experience to the job. She first joined the World Bank in 1996 and held a number of leadership positions in different countries and regions of the world. Prior to taking her current assignment, Ms. Burunciuc served as Manager in the Operations Policy and Country Services department of the World Bank in Washington DC.
The World Bank’s overall mission in the Kyrgyz Republic is to reduce poverty, promote economic growth and shared prosperity. 45 percent of the World Bank’s assistance to the Kyrgyz Republic is in the form of grants. The other 55 percent is in highly concessional credits with no interest, and only a 0.75 percent service charge. Credits are repayable in 38 years, including a 6-year grace period, while grants require no repayment. The current portfolio of the World Bank in the Kyrgyz Republic includes 15 active projects in such areas as education, health, agriculture, irrigation, infrastructure and rural development.
