World Bank Launches New Country Partnership Strategy

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors had discussed a new Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for the Slovak Republic for 2005-07. The CPS is a document that details the Bank’s work plan to assist client countries in achieving their development goals. It describes all of the Bank’s planned operations in the country—lending, analytical work, and technical assistance. The new CPS for Slovakia covers the period 2005-2007 and envisages a modest lending program of up to $17 million with a special focus on the non-lending instruments such as technical assistance and analytical work. Priorities of the new CPS include assisting the government in improving fiscal consolidation and management of public finances; further implementation of structural reforms to enhance competitiveness of the economy; and social development and poverty reduction. “The goal of the CPS is to support the country’s efforts to improve the quality of life of its people and enhance efficiency and competitiveness of the economy”, says Ingrid Brockova, World Bank Country Manager for Slovakia. “This is why improving the education system as well as promoting poverty alleviation and social inclusion are key in the Slovakia CPS, as is supporting the restructuring of judicial system in order to improve overall transparency and efficiency of the system.”