This country engagement note (CEN), one of the first to be prepared under the World Bank Group’s (WBG) July 1, 2014 directive for country engagement, is as follows.
... See More + First, it reflects the process underway since 2012 of renewed, albeit modest, WBG engagement in Turkmenistan - a country where its involvement hitherto has been limited and where prospects for a more comprehensive medium-term program remain uncertain. Second, the knowledge-based program outlined in this CEN represents the government’s preferred vehicle for extending - and gradually expanding and intensifying - its dialogue and relationship with the WBG. Third, this CEN ensures that the WBG’s continued engagement in Turkmenistan, despite its still limited, short-term focus, is publicly accessible and transparent to all stakeholders concerned. Recent developments at the global and regional levels have created a more difficult external environment for Turkmenistan’s economy and provide a window of opportunity for the authorities to accelerate the pace of reforms. The knowledge-based program outlined in this CEN continues support for Turkmenistan’s growing integration into the international economy and its gradual transition to a more market-based economy.
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This brief focuses on gender in Turkmenistan. The World Bank Group is committed to including a gender lens in its activities and addressing gender-specific challenges to reduce inequalities between women and men.
... See More + Europe and Central Asia's Gender at a Glance series is a new collection of data summaries that seek to present a more nuanced view of the heterogeneous gender situation in each of the region's 30 countries. The main objective of the briefs is to provide a quick reference guide for interested users and to increase the visibility of gender-relevant data in the region. The briefs offer basic data on gender indicators and key outcomes for each country alongside regional, sub-regional, and income-level comparative benchmarks. Each brief tells a story about the relationship between gender and national outcomes in endowments (education, health, and demographics), access to economic opportunity, and agency.
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The abundance of natural resources combined with high commodity prices for much of the last two decades has helped Turkmenistan reach upper middle-income status.
... See More + Turkmenistan prospered by integrating more into the world economy and the instrument of this integration has been hydrocarbons, the resource that the country has in the greatest abundance. Turkmenistan is working on completing its transition as it advances through upper middle income to high income. Economic diversification is a key strategic priority. Turkmenistan has a vertically centralized governance structure. Accelerated and sustainable development will combine active diversification policies with policies to strengthen the country’s asset base of natural resources, built capital and institutions. Reflecting its extraordinary resource abundance, Turkmenistan’s asset portfolio is weighed toward “hard” endowments (natural resources and physical capital) while human capital and institutions are in need of improvement. In order to rebalance the country’s asset portfolio, authorities can make specific policy choices to strengthen human capital, ensure a more level playing field for business, improve public service provision and manage resource rents.
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This overview of climate change activities in Turkmenistan is part of a series of country notes for five Central Asian countries that summarize climate portfolio in a number of sectors, namely agriculture, forestry, water, health, energy, and transport.
... See More + This note further provides a brief overview of Turkmenistan's climate context in terms of observed impacts and historical trends as well as climate projections specific to sectors that are considered to be essential to the country's economic development. Finally, the note assesses national policy and institutional context related to climate change as well as suggests potential ways forward that could help Turkmenistan mainstream climate considerations into development activities and planning and create public demand for climate actions.
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This overview of climate change activities in Turkmenistan is part of a series of country notes for five Central Asian countries that summarize climate portfolio in a number of sectors, namely agriculture, forestry, water, health, energy, and transport.
... See More + This note further provides a brief overview of Turkmenistan's climate context in terms of observed impacts and historical trends as well as climate projections specific to sectors that are considered to be essential to the country's economic development. Finally, the note assesses national policy and institutional context related to climate change as well as suggests potential ways forward that could help Turkmenistan mainstream climate considerations into development activities and planning and create public demand for climate actions.
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This brief focuses on gender in the Turkmenistan. The World Bank Group is committed to including a gender lens in its activities and addressing gender-specific challenges to reduce inequalities between women and men.
... See More + Europe and Central Asia's Gender at a Glance series is a new collection of data summaries that seek to present a more nuanced view of the heterogeneous gender situation in each of the region's 30 countries. The main objective of the briefs is to provide a quick reference guide for interested users and to increase the visibility of gender-relevant data in the region. The briefs offer basic data on gender indicators and key outcomes for each country alongside regional, sub-regional, and income-level comparative benchmarks. Each brief tells a story about the relationship between gender and national outcomes in endowments (education, health, and demographics), access to economic opportunity, and agency.
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The purpose of this interim strategy is thus to help the government address selected issues related to the country's development priorities. It consists of two components: first, a small, reimbursable advisory services program narrowly focused on activities in three areas proposed by the government, macroeconomic statistics, financial sector development, and private sector development; and second, a modest agenda of strategic studies that would provide an analytical foundation for addressing reform priorities in the country's long-term development strategy selected by the government.
... See More + The reimbursable services program will be implemented and supervised by the Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC); and the strategic studies would be financed and executed by the Bank and IFC in line with standard internal procedures for such activities. Bank lending has been neither requested nor is contemplated. Likewise, IFC has no specific investment proposals or plans at this stage, although it remains open to providing financial support for small and medium-sized private enterprise development and foreign direct investment. The interim strategy and program's effectiveness will be measured by qualitative criteria defined and agreed with the Turkmen authorities a priori for each activity, rather than a conventional Country Assistance Strategy (CAS)-type results framework. Despite its narrow focus and small size, the interim strategy and program pose at least three risks that will need to be monitored and, if needed, managed.
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This report gives 14 indicators that describe a country's macro fiscal environment to identify constraints or opportunities for health systems financing.
... See More + A country with a 10 percent unemployment rate that has fallen from 15 percent may be in better shape than one with an 8 percent unemployment rate that has risen from 4 percent. It is also important to benchmark to group averages of countries in the same World Bank (WB) region and income group.
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Turkmenistan is a lower-middle income country that has substantial oil and gas reserves. Having a relatively closed economy, Turkmenistan was less affected by the financial crisis than other countries in the region, partly due to its isolation from global markets, but also due to substantial reserves that supported public investments and social programs.
... See More + More recently, inflows of FDI have increased, particularly in hydrocarbons. The main political economy drivers in Turkmenistan are centralization of authority, geopolitical forces, and the politics of natural resources. These resources, notably gas have fostered greater cooperation between Turkmenistan and partners such as China and the EU. However, the abundance of power vested in the executive limits pluralism, the functions of local government, and appears to be affecting service delivery; although data on poverty and other indicators are not published. Turkmenistan faces governance challenges including rule of law, voice, accountability and transparency, public participation, administrative capacity, corruption, and private sector development. While World Bank engagement in Turkmenistan is limited, there may be emerging entry points to introduce governance reforms.
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This Results Profile talks about strengthening Turkmenistan's capacity to control Avian Influenza. The threat of Avian Influenza loomed in Turkmenistan.
... See More + Neighboring countries were struggling to contain outbreaks of this lethal disease. Turkmenistan Avian Influenza Project was carried out through the support from the World Bank to prevent and control outbreaks in animals. Health staff were trained to handle and test Avian Influenza samples safely and accurately. Regional laboratories were also renovated and provided with basic equipment so that staff there could perform preliminary tests. A vast communications campaign was carried out to inform the public about Avian Influenza and measures to mitigate it. Posters, video and radio spots on Avian Influenza prevention and safe practices were developed. As a result, the country had no registered cases of Avian Influenza, and was better prepared to respond to any potential outbreaks.
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The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)/International Development Association (IDA) trust funds country report FY2009-FY2011 Q1 for Turkmenistan includes: disbursements, approvals, and pending requests.
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