Contact: in Almaty:
Elena Karaban (7-3272) 980-580
Email: [email protected]

ALMATY, November 29, 2004 -The World Bank recent studies on natural resources in Kazakhstan call for closer state attention, improved legislation, wiser management, and effective investments. Main findings of the studies demonstrate that with timely strategic interventions, selected sectors such as livestock, fisheries, rangelands, and forestry, can contribute substantially to growth, employment, and export opportunities not only in rural areas, but also in broader country context.

Four studies have been recently carried out jointly by the World Bank and the Ministry of Agriculture under the Joint Economic Research Program (JERP) in various areas of agriculture and natural resource management, namely:
(1) “Innovative Approaches in Fisheries Management in Kazakhstan”
(2) “Kazakhstan’s Livestock Sector– Supporting its Revival”
(3) “Kazakhstan – Forestry in Transition: the Resources, the Users and Sustainable Use”
(4) “Kazakhstan – Rangelands in Transition: the Resources, the Users and Sustainable Use”

The team that worked on these studies included both international and Kazakhstan experts. These studies were based on extensive field work in Kazakhstan combined with the best international practice. The conduct of the studies also provided for opportunities to strengthen the capacity of the Kazakh specialists in the relevant sectors.

 “The work on rangeland, livestock, forestry and fisheries conducted jointly by Kazakhstani and international experts in the context of the Joint Economic Research Program - one of the pillar of the new Country Partnership Strategy between the Government and the World Bank - is important as it looks specifically at sectors that may not have received enough attention in the past, but could, once again, play an important economic role and have a positive social impact on rural populations, particularly in the poorest regions”, - said Loup Brefort, Country Manager for Kazakhstan.

Workshops in  Astana, Kyzyl Orda, Almaty, and Ust-Kamenogorsk are being carried out during November 25 - December 2, to present the reports and discuss findings of  the studies and ways of addressing identified issues. Representatives of civil society, donor organizations, academic and research institutes and other stakeholders have been invited to participate.

 “With its rich natural endowment, the agricultural sector of Kazakhstan has great potential to contribute to the goal of diversification of the economy and can provide sustainable employment and decent standards of living to large segments of the population. But it needs to adapt to new market conditions, as well as restore and safeguard its natural resources”, - emphasized Joe Goldberg, Sector Manager. “These dissemination workshops are important to raise awareness about existing issues, highlight the potential of these sectors and mobilize a broad coalition of stakeholders to join forces in developing and implementing the programs of actions that are necessary to ensure the revival and further development of these important economic activities”, - Mr. Goldberg concluded.
 

Full reports are available in the World Bank offices in Almaty and Astana
 or on the web site: www.worldbank.org.kz

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