The gas sector in Uzbekistan has the potential to provide affordable and secure energy supply in a financially viable manner, through high-performing SOEs operating in line with international governance standards. The World Bank and the Government of Uzbekistan (GoU) have developed a strategic vision to address the challenges and gaps that are currently affecting the Uzbek gas market. To fully address the identified sector issues, another wave of reforms will be required. A comprehensive problem statement has been developed that clarifies what needs to change in several dimensions. The second wave of reforms are related to the financial structure of the sector, the liberalization of the gas market, and the strengthening of the public governance as well as the corporate governance. These reforms require the modernization of existing legislation and regulations, creating the foundation for further reforms. GoU has now requested the World Bank for technical assistance supporting the implementation of the gas sector reforms. More...

With oversight of the Oil & Gas Project Office in the Ministry of Finance several studies have been carried out by international consulting firms related to sector diagnostics and design of reforms. The timelines set for improving the gas sector performance are ambitious. Reform initiatives have started, implementing deliverables for the sector stipulated in the Presidential Resolution, July 2019.
Considering the multitude and fast pace of reforms taking place in Uzbekistan at the moment, there is a need to consolidate oil and gas sector reform diagnostics, design studies and implementation activities already carried out by GoU prior to this assignment and identify any gaps related to institutional and structural requirements for a) policy and strategy setting, b) regulatory oversight and c) sector operations by SOE''s, benchmarked against reforms in other countries and world-class best practices. The output of this analysis would inform a Reform Roadmap and a high-level Reform implementation plan. More...

The IFC and EBRD are investing considerably in the city of Mariupol''s urban transport sector, with the EBRD focusing on improving the public operator''s efficiency while IFC is focusing on improving the regulatory environment.

The purpose of this assignment is to assist the city to progressively elaborate and refine the detailed development of the new strategy. The project concentrates on the establishment of the regulatory authority and the definition of its main and functions and policies to strengthen the planning and monitoring capacity of the city. The assignment also aims at developing a long-term strategy for the city''s public transport, prepare an implementation plan for fare increases, build the capacity of the City to implement the optimized model for the designated route structure (previously prepared by IFC) as well as provide support on three pilot routes for gross-cost routes tendering for private operators. More...

A bilateral agreement was signed between high government officials whereby it was agreed that Mubadala Investment Company (Investor) would acquire and expand the Talimarjan Thermal Power Plant. IFC will provide its advisory support in leading and structuring this transaction. IFC will assist the Government of Uzbekistan in developing and negotiating with the Investor the terms and conditions of the investment, to be detailed in the Project Agreements related to (i) the sale of the existing units of Talimarjan TPP (TPPO and TPP1) and, (ii) the agreement to design, build, and operate the new CCGT asset (TPP2). IFC’s overall scope of work includes, but not limited to review of the technical due diligence prepared by the Investor; structuring of the transaction and presenting to the Investor; preparation of a financial model; assessment of the tax implications support; and advising the government during the negotiations. However, the IFC has requested external support for the environmental and social components of the transaction.
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Khujand International Airport has invested in the development of another passenger terminal which has not yet been completed, and this assignment relates to the development of the newly constructed terminal. The EBRD is considering supporting the introduction of:
- A new passenger and luggage registration system;
- An automated airport management and flight information system;
- A modern energy-efficient climate control system.
These will aid in increasing the terminal''s capacity from 150 to 400 passengers per hour.
The present assignment requires the preparation of the following, with regards to the planned investment: Technical evaluation; Financial and economic evaluation, and market review; Preparation of financial model; Environmental and social assessment; Assessment of current operations of the terminal and recommendations for improvements. More...

The overall aim of the assignment is to define a low-carbon roadmap for the electricity generation sector in Uzbekistan through the modelling of the country''s energy system and its evolution scenarios until 2050. Up to three scenarios could be considered each reflecting an increased level of ambition in terms of sector''s GHG emissions. It is anticipated that one scenario will capture the current and planned policies in the country and model the possible evolution of the sector under a "business as usual" (BAU) type of technological development and penetration of low carbon generation sources (new build renewables or high efficiency thermal plants to displace older/less efficient existing assets). The other scenarios will progressively try to explore the possible evolution of the sector under more aggressive growth of renewables, high efficiency thermal plants, improved grid flexibility and storage.
The assignment, by critically analysing the different scenarios, will result in the development of a set of policy and technology recommendations to help understand the possible contribution of the sector towards the country''s NDC targets, help to identify the possible contribution of the sector for new targets post-2030 and provide clear indications about the priorities of investment and sustainable development for the sector towards a substantial decarbonisation in the mid to long- term future. More...

The Asian Development Bank has requested technical assistance to conduct due diligence on the proposed loan for a gas pipeline. The due diligence covers technical, economic, financial, procurement, and social and environmental safeguard and includes some capacity development support essential to familiarize the national gas agency, Uzbekneftegaz, gas transmission company, Uztransgas, with ADB''''''''''''''''s procurement and disbursement procedures, and safeguard requirements. The project addresses three key areas in the gas sector: (i) gas transmission network; (ii) O&M practice; and (iii) corporate management.
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The Government of Azerbaijan has constructed a new state of the art port for Baku on a greenfield site, 65 km south-west of the settlement at Alat. In addition to the port, multi-modal access is provided including rail and motorway.
The Government of Azerbaijan wants to leverage the benefits that the new port can offer, by constructing a Free Economic Zone (FEZ) on the adjoining land bank. The Alat FEZ will be a world class business location where both local and international companies will be encouraged to establish new manufacturing and value-added activities.
The FEZ will be a "pilot" free zone project for Azerbaijan and is to be constructed on government owned land at Alat. The initial site is 850 hectares in size. The establishment of the new Alat FEZ is supported in legislation under the "Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the Alat Economic Free Zone", which sets out the framework for the operation, development and governance of the zone. More...

The overall objective of this EIB financed project is to contribute to facilitating the restructuring and modernisation of Ukraine''s urban public transport sector and gradual approximation towards operating standards and policies comparable to those in the EU.

The specific objectives of this TA operation are to a) to assist the Ministry of Infrastructure and several cities in the successful implementation of the Ukraine Urban Public Transport Project (UUPTP) to the required quality, on time and within budget; and b) to build project management capacity in the Ministry of Infrastructure and at the Final Beneficiary level. More...

The Government of Uzbekistan and the World Bank are working together to prepare the National Medium-sized Cities Programme to demonstrate innovative approaches to integrated urban development. The programme has identified Kagan, Yangiyul and Chartak as the priority cities for investment. Specifically, these investments will address the improvement of the potable water supply of each of these cities as well as the sewerage system of Kagan. This project is divided into two phases:
1. Feasibility Studies: Investment planning, financial and economic analysis, social assessment, and environmental and social impact assessment of the investments;
2. Preparation of detailed designs and bidding documents for the proposed investments More...

The EBRD is considering a loan of up to EUR 8m to the Communal Enterprise Odesmiskelectrotrans in Odessa, to finance the acquisition of up to 47 new trolleybuses and rehabilitation/modernisation of essential maintenance equipment. The Company is a wholly-owned municipal public transport operator providing transportation services in the City. The Project will address key challenges in public transport infrastructure development in the municipality of Odessa, relating to improving access to clean urban transport, and improving the capacity and efficiency of public transport services. The EBRD''s investment will enable the Company to make trolleybus operations more efficient through improved accessibility, increasing the average service speed, decreasing maintenance intensity and costs, and upgrading the fleet with 20-25 percent more energy-efficient vehicles. As part of the EBRD''s framework contract, the Company has requested a Corporate Development Programme and Stakeholder Participation Programme. More...

In support of the Uzbekistan economic development vision, the project focuses on preparing a master plan to address peak electricity demand growth and system stability. This master plan will consider the long-term power demand and supply requirements, identify options for increased distributed generation and review investment and technology options to achieve the load growth. More...

The objectives of the project are to assist the government of Uzbekistan and Uzbekenergo in establishing a cost recovery tariff and optimised tariff structure to contribute to the financial sustainability of Uzbekenergo.
The expected outputs of the project are described below:
a) Determining the real cost of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution;
b) Designing a cost recovery tariff strategy;
c) Designing a tariff structure with a differentiated tariff for classes of customers to replace the current, single tariff for all customers which allows cross-subsidization between customer classes; and
d) Developing a roadmap for a gradual increase in tariff to full cost recovery level by 2023. The Technical Assistant will reference international best practice in cost recovery tariff design in the power sector and assess the potential application and benefits specific to Uzbekistan''''s power sector More...

The City of Constanta (the City), the second largest metropolitan area of Romania with over 425 thousand population, is the largest port of the country to the Black Sea and a major commercial, trading and touristic center. S.C. RAJA S.A. Constanta (RAJA) is the Country''''s largest public water and wastewater utility and the regionalized water and wastewater provider for the City of Constanta, the County of Constanta and several other localities in seven adjacent counties in Romania, serving in total a population of over 3 million.

RAJA approached the EBRD with a request to explore the involvement of the private sector in decreasing Non-Revenue Water (NRW) in the City''''s water distribution network (the Project). RAJA requested the Bank to explore the involvement of a Private Partner under a Performance-Based Service Agreement (PBSA) between RAJA and the Private Partner, whereby the payment mechanism to the Private Partner contains certain parts linked to performance as defined in a number of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

The Consortium led by Corporate Solutions Consulting has been contracted to provide assistance to RAJA in the preparation of the draft PBSA, the drafting of tender documentation, launch of tender, tender evaluation and contracting of the Private Partner. More...

The overall objective of the project is to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Education (MoE) to manage, monitor and support the process of the education sector reform with efficacy and in line with the Development Concept “Azerbaijan-2020: Look into the Future”, approved by a Presidential Decree in 2012.
This is accomplished through the following:
1. Modernise the organisational structure of the MoE for adapting to current and future needs of the education sector in Azerbaijan, as defined in the "National Strategy for the Development of Education in the Republic of Azerbaijan” and the Education Law;
2. Ensure that a required number of experts, management and support staff of the MoE, is properly trained to efficiently operate, manage, and administer the role, functions and tasks of the Ministry in line with the “Action Plan on the Implementation of the National Strategy for the Development of Education in the Republic of Azerbaijan” and the Civil Service Law More...

The situation of Turkey''''''''s passenger transport systems, including the infrastructure, does not make it easy for people with disabilities, or other people with mobility restraints, to participate in society. This project undertakes the need for major improvements in order to ensure better accessibility of the mobility services and their infrastructure. The objective of this project is to improve the mobility of elderly people and of people with disabilities and other people with mobility restraints in the passenger transport services, including the pedestrian environment.
This is achieved through the following results:
1.The platform for accessibility of transport services is established and functioning along with enhanced technical and institutional capacity on accessibility of transport services within the Ministry of Transport.
2.The comprehensive accessibility of transport strategy and corresponding detailed action plans are in place and a pipeline of pilot projects have been adopted by the Platform.
3.A team of national trainers will have obtained, through training sessions, all knowledge necessary to train the staff of institutions and private and public companies involved in the mobility of Turkey''''''''s citizens with regard to the accessibility of the transport system.
4.Communication of accessibility strategy and action plan to all major stakeholders along with trainings and visibility evens to improve awareness about the accessibility of transport services. More...

The objectives of the TA are to assist the government of Azerbaijan to develop a financial recovery plan, establish a cost recovery tariff, and optimize tariff structure which will help the government meet the financial needs for independently and efficiently running the power sector utilities. The aim is to help the Azeri power sector achieve full cost recovery by 2022.
The current electricity tariffs in Azerbaijan are considerably lower than other countries in the region and the electricity sector relies heavily on government support. As of July 2016, the tariff was increased slightly but the increase is not enough to make the electricity sector financially sustainable. The PATA will ensure an adequate phased increase in the tariffs to meet the stated objectives of this Technical Assistance (TA) whilst also considering the limitations of the most vulnerable group of electricity consumers in Azerbaijan.
The expected outputs of the project are described below:
1. Calculate the real cost of electricity supply (power generation, transmission, and distribution).;
2. Design new tariff structure for power generation (including options for carbon pricing for thermal generation), transmission, and distribution, with differentiating tariffs for different customers and different generation sources;
3. Develop a financial recovery road map for a gradual increase in tariff, to achieve full cost recovery by 2022;
4. Undertake a public information campaign on tariff reform, case studies of good practices in other countries, and institutional strengthening. More...

The transport sector is important to the economy of Ukraine economy and significant investments and efficiency improvements are required to increase the capacity of the sector to attract and absorb large investments to modernise the country’s transport infrastructure and raise its competitiveness. In order to achieve this, the project’s overall purpose was to reform the Infrastructure Project Cycle Management (IPCM) in Ukraine in line with the EU PCM standards and guidelines.
The scope of the project encompassed all phases of the IPCM from planning, identification, formulation, implementation and monitoring of large investment projects.
The specific objectives were to:
1. Contribute to the reform of IPCM in Ukraine, including improvements in legislative, administrative, operational, and organisational improvements frameworks.
2. Reduce the procedural and administrative obstacles to efficient and effective planning, preparation, implementation and maintenance of infrastructure investment projects, with a special focus on transparency and accountability.
The project was designed to also contribute to capacity building in the transport sector through extensive training and application of proposed reforms on pilot projects.
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EDL decided to follow on from the activities under the previous contract undertaken by Corporate Solutions to design and develop the technical and functional specification for Financial Management Information Systems (FMIS) and assist the company with the tendering and selection of the FMIS supplier. The previous contract resulted in the selection of one of the leading ERP packages and contracts of approx USD 4m in value, with a large IT system integration company.
The scope of the services of this assignment includes the provision of advisory services and guidance to EDL to effectively manage the FMIS supplier activities during the implementation period, ensure that the system meets the requirements of EDL and that it is implemented to a high level of quality standards. The ultimate aim is to ensure that a fully operational system is in place. In addition, EDL has embarked on the acquisition of a new billing system to replace its existing system and requires Corporate Solutions to provide management support to EDL for the implementation of this system too.
As part of the FMIS implementation project, it became clear that due to the technology and lack of support, the legacy HRM and payroll system could not be integrated with the new FMIS. Corporate Solutions is therefore also required to develop specifications and negotiate implementation of the HRM and Payroll system that will be integrated with the new FMIS and replace the current system used by the client.
The work covers the following areas:
FMIS tender support; Management support for the implementation of the new FMIS; Management support for the implementation of the new billing system. More...

The objective of this assignment is to assist the Company to further improve its institutional development in line with the proposed Phase III investments, building on the improvements made in previous Phases. It comprises three main objectives:
Part I: Continued Corporate Development Programme for Khujand Water Company
The first objective is to assist the Company to further improve its commercial standing, service and environmental performance by supporting the ongoing identification and implementation of the necessary corporate, financial and operational improvements required to meet the related covenants included in the EBRD finance documents for Phase III.

Part II: Stakeholder Participation Programme
The second objective is to implement the Stakeholders Participation Programme (“SPP”), aimed at enhancing public ownership by encouraging water conservation, increasing public participation in the provision of water and wastewater services (service quality, rehabilitation activities, tariffs integrating poverty and social issues) and raising public awareness on issues related to the project implementation and water use

Part III: Continued City Support Programme for the City of Khujand
The third objective is to update, resign and implement the Project Support Agreement, including the revised tariff methodology as developed under Financial and Operational Performance Improvement Programme (“FOPIP”) component of previous Phases and as updated under Phase III.
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