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The
World Bank is financing seven active projects in
Iraq [1], some of which will be
implemented in the Kurdistan Region. The Bank has
also proposed several projects in the Kurdistan
Region that will be put forward for the Bank board’s
approval.
An industrial zone that will provide infrastructure
for the private sector will be built in Erbil, with
some financing provided through the World Bank.
In addition, the World Bank has proposed a project
to repair the hydro power stations at Dokan and
Derbandikhan.
The Bank has also proposed a plan to widen and
upgrade the main Erbil to Kirkuk road, and to
rehabilitate up to 100 km of rural roads connecting
remote villages in the Kurdistan Region.
For more details about the
projects, see
PDF: Active project: emergency private sector
development
PDF: Proposed project: Dokan and Derbandikhan
emergency hydro power
PDF: Proposed project: emergency road
rehabilitation
Active project: emergency private sector
development
One of the World Bank’s active projects is to
quickly develop Iraq’s private sector, at an
estimated cost of $55.5 million.
One component of the project is the creation of two
industrial zones, one in Erbil and one in Basra.
These industrial zones will provide much needed
infrastructure to support the private sector.
According to the World Bank, “Development plans for
potential industrial zones will be prepared: one in
Basra and the other in Arbil. These plans will
examine market demand, specification of
infrastructure requirements, examination of
regulatory concerns and the design of an
implementation process.” [2]
Another component of the project is to build
throughout Iraq a high capacity national backbone
communications network capable of supporting
business needs. Personnel will be trained to operate
the network efficiently. The World Bank expects that
“These microwave links will provide immediate voice
and data connectivity for the key cities in the
districts of Baghdad, Baquba, Kirkuk, Arbil, Mousa,
Sulaimaniya, Dohuk, Ramadi, Hadetha, Alquaim, Kut,
Ammara, Basra and Um Qaser, and improve national and
international connectivity.” [3]
Proposed project: Dokan and Derbandikhan
Emergency Hydro Power
Among the World Bank’s proposed but not yet approved
projects is the upgrading and repair of the Dokan
and Derbandikhan hydro power stations in the
Kurdistan Region. Both hydropower stations are
connected to Iraq’s main grid, thus benefiting both
the KRG and Iraq’s whole power system. The World
Bank expects its board to approve the project in
September 2006.
According to the World Bank, “The objective of the
project is to help alleviate the current power
supply shortfall through urgent repair works, and
prepare for the subsequent rehabilitation of the
Dokan and Derbandikhan hydropower plants to restore
their original capacity of 400 and 249MW
respectively.”[4]
The proposed project would cost an estimated US$40
million and would be implemented by the KRG Ministry
of Industry and Electricity. The federal Ministry of
Finance would act as the representative of the
recipient. The estimated costs of the repairs are:
- Repairs for Dokan (US$10.43 million)
- Repairs for Derbandikhan (US$22.45 million)
- Environmental assessment and dam safety (US$4.6
million)
Proposed project: emergency road rehabilitation
Part of World Bank’s proposed emergency road
rehabilitation project in Iraq would be implemented
in the Kurdistan Region. The parts of the project
earmarked for Kurdistan are [5]:
- Rehabilitation and Upgrading of the 43 km long
Erbil – Altun Kopri Road. The project would widen
and rehabilitate 43 km (about half) of the main
Erbil to Kirkuk road in the Kurdistan Region, which
is a priority for the Regional Government.
- Village Access Roads Pilot Program. The Project
would rehabilitate up to 100 km of rural roads
connecting remote villages in the Kurdistan Region.
Around 30 km to 35 km of roads in each of the three
northern Governorates would be upgraded.
- Road Asset Management and Road Rehabilitation
Programming. This initiative would develop road
rehabilitation and maintenance management strategies
and establish a fully functioning road asset
management system for the northern Governorates.
This would entail preparing a highway rehabilitation
and maintenance program, as well as a village access
road program.
- Project Management. Financial support would be
provided to manage project activities and provide on
the job training in project management. The Credit
would finance the costs of setting up a Project
Management Team (PMT) under the Ministry of Housing
and Construction in the KRG, including necessary
office equipment, materials, technical assistance,
training, and other related costs.
[1] As of July 2005.
[2] See World Bank project
information document, project ID 091344, report
number 32127, 11 November 2004.
[3] See World Bank project
information document, project ID 091344, report
number 32127, 11 November 2004.
[4] See World Bank project
information document, project ID P099059, report
number AB2246, 27 March 2006.
[5] See World Bank project
information document, project ID 087735, report
number AB1340, 17 November 2005.
www.krg.org
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