SOFIA, April 8, 2019− The World Bank will provide advisory services to support Bulgaria in its planning, preparation, and implementation of regional development policy. A contract for the provision of Reimbursable Advisory Services was signed today by Petya Avramova, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, and Fabrizio Zarcone, World Bank Country Manager for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
Under the contract, the World Bank will support in conducting strategic consultations on improving regional development policy in Bulgaria, drawing from international and European Union (EU) experience. The World Bank will also provide recommendations to Bulgaria for preparing a proposal to develop mechanisms to further involve Regional Development Councils in the process of regional development and improve financial instruments for regional development. The third area of support is related to the programming process for the EU Operational Program for regional development 2021-2027.
“We are honored to be able to support the Government of Bulgaria with the World Bank’s global knowledge and to bring the best international examples on how to structure regional investments in a sustainable manner for the benefit of all Bulgarians,” said Fabrizio Zarcone, World Bank Country Manager for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
The agreement signed today needs parliamentary ratification to take effect. The analytical work undertaken by the World Bank will be the property of the Bulgarian government.
