The World Bank has identified water management, environment, mining, natural resources, agro business and social sustainability as the areas of future cooperation with Orissa as it looks to step up knowledge and financial support to bolster its two-decade long partnership with the state.
“The World Bank has provided not only finance but also technical assistance for Orissa. In the future, our areas of focus would be environment, social sustainability, mining and natural resources. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) which is the private arm of the World Bank is keen on adding agro business to its portfolio of cooperation with the state,” World Bank Group President Robert B Zoellick said here at a media conference after meeting the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Apart from offering a huge opportunity to build natural wealth, Orissa also provides scope for promotion of small & medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as ancillary and downstream industries, he added.
He acknowledged the strides made by Orissa in economic growth as well in reducing poverty.
Responding to a query on the state's efficiency in utilization of the World Bank funds, Zoellick said, “We have high regards for the state Chief Minister. He has an excellent team. We feel this is a very impressive government both at the official and electoral level.”
“The World Bank which has a $600 million (around Rs 3,000 crore) programme in the state can better support the government as it addresses its development challenges. Orissa's experience in forging a growth path, both inclusive and sustainable, would provide important lessons for other countries and states that are also rich in mineral resources but face deep pockets of poverty,” he added.
Zoellick said the World Bank is going to fund the $250 million Integrated Coastal Zone and Management Porgramme in the country, hinting at expanding the programme not just within Orissa but to other parts of the country as well, especially the west coast. On the experience of privatization of electricity distribution business in Orissa, he said, “There are a lot of important lessons that have been learnt. There have been challenges in management of the distribution network and a lot more work needs to be done in this area.”
The World Bank's total outstanding loans to India stand at $33-34 billion and also $3 billion loan of IFC, he said, adding. “For a country like India, there is a need for even greater assistance.”
On plans by BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) for floating a development bank, Zoellick said, “I think it is a sign of the broader development that you have in developing economies. We would like to work with the new bank through sharing of experiences and leveraging of our strengths.”
The World Bank Group President, who is on a five-day visit to India from March 26-30, toured the Bhitarkanika national park in Orissa's Kendrapara district. He interacted with the fishing communities involved in conservation measures and also with members of women self-help groups (SHGs) set up under the World Bank supported livelihood project - TRIPTI (Targeted Rural Initiatives for Poverty Termination).
