WORLD BANK ENERGY SECTOR MISSION
The World Bank estimated a regional electric energy export potential and water-energy nexus in Central Asia. In order to discuss the results of this estimate, the World Bank Energy Sector Mission was sent to the region. The main discussion subjects are as follows:
- Demand for electric energy within the region, and various options of providing energy to maximally meet demand for it;
- Demand for electric energy outside Central Asia;
- Costs and possibilities to develop the planned large hydropower projects (Talimarjan, Kambarata, Rogun);
- Competitiveness of these projects as electric power exporters;
- Political decisions necessary to develop these projects and capture export markets;
- Discussing structure of water-energy consortium and financing mechanisms.
According to the evaluations of the World Bank, Central Asia region is rich in energy resources, at the same time the republics are good “supplement” to each other: Uzbekistan and Kazzakhstan have significant fossil fuel reserves for heat power generation, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are rich in water.
There is a well-developed electric power infrastructure in the region — at both national and regional levels. All the countries in the region are carrying out reforms intended for economic development that means growth in demand for electric power. At that there is a demand for electric energy beyond the region too: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, and China hunger for energy and ready to commerce with Central Asian republics.
Water-energy nexus have faced the following problems:
- Conflicts in water use: upstream reaches use water for energy generation, downstream reaches use it for irrigation. At that regimes do not coincide.
- This concerns also timing of water releases: upstream countries in winter; downstream countries in summer;
- Impact of climatic conditions should be placed among these conflicts: alternating dry/wet years aggravate the complicated situation in transboundary waterways; and
- finally, policy-related problems: non-following inter-state agreements that leads to reservoir drawdown above the limits (2002) or flooding in winter (2004).
To resolve the problems, the World Bank proposes a specially developed structure, based on the 1998 Framework Agreement. This structure includes economic basis, financial mechanisms and institutional measures to settle root causes for problems. Implementing these measures will be the next step in strengthening market relations in the region, and promote energy trade.
NEW APPOINTMENTS
By the Decree dated 25 March 2004 of Uzbek President Islam Karimov, Saydullo Beygaliyev was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources of Uzbekistan.
ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE “IWRM-FERGHANA” PROJECT
On 4 March in Khojent city , on 6 March in Ferghana city, and on 7 March in Osh city the “IWRM-Ferghana” Project staff held a range of kick-off meetings on conducting observations, collecting initial information on using irrigation water and carrying out agrotechnical measures, monitoring farms, located in area of pilot objects.
“Water and land productivity at farm level” activity manager S.S. Mukhamedjanov made a welcoming speech addressed to the participants of the meetings. He told about goals and tasks of the meeting, content and plan of operations for 2004, methods for performing them. In his report, S.S. Mukhamedjanov summarized the work on irrigation water use monitoring on demonstration plots in three oblasts, told about the obtained positive results concerning irrigation water use productivity improvement, about available reserves, at the same time dwelled on defects in work, discussed with the audience ways to remove them.
The main task in 2004 is to confirm sustainability of achieved positive results on demonstration plots. Moreover, this year it will be no less important to disseminate by oblast-level executors the experience acquired in improving water and land productivity among farms, located near studied demonstration plots, collect information on these farms, identify problems they have, and define ways to solve them. All this will become a basis for creating a network of consultative services. The meeting participants exchanged opinions on separate issues, related to monitoring.
Oblast-level executors raised a question on the current water accounting policy in Kyrgyzstan, non-uniform payment for water. By now, many farmers have realized that lack of water accounting facilities leads to uniform payment in diverse water use. For example, though significant irrigation water is saved on demonstration plots, on this farm payment for water was made at level equal to others. In this connection, an urgent issue on installing water accounting facilities on every farm, and reviewing water charge policy arises.
B.A. Toktoraliyev, chief lecturer of ICWC Training Center in Osh, noted that in Kyrgyzstan there is a big problem with pesticides, their quality and quantity; moreover, because of farmer is not aware of phenology issue, yield losses amount to 30%. “I hope that the creation of a network of consultative services will help to solve these issues” — he said.
S. Nerozin, presenting his paper on monitoring operations on demonstration plots in Osh oblast, summarized the implementation of agrotechnical measures, gave recommendations for carrying out technological operations, applying fertilizers, protecting from diseases and pests. Comparing agro-economical indicators for 2002 and 2003, it was concluded that degree of material resources use and water and land productivity management had improved. Variable costs structure analysis was given, separate mistakes made by executors on farms were marked, causes for losses in yield capacity were indicated, and recommendation for raising agricultural production sustainability on pilot farms were given in paper. During the discussion, issues in regard with optimum sowing dates, quality of used seeds, applying mineral fertilizers in compliance with normative requirement, acquiring enough amount of phosphate and potash fertilizers until May were touched upon.
Then, work on collecting, processing, and analyzing initial information, and filling forms of field log was carried out together with oblast-level executors, technicians and observers (S. Mukhamedjanov, S. Nerozin, A. Galustyan). The meeting participants were given field logs for 2004, as well as forms for information collection on farms, located in the area of pilot objects, towards the preparation for creating a network of consultative services. The participants discussed the matters, related to carrying out preparatory measures to set up a consultative service, told about their views concerning this issue, made changes and supplements in information collection forms, prepared for them.
KAZAKHSTAN BECOMES MORE ACCESSIBLE
Procedure for issuing entry visa of the Republic of Kazakhstan to foreign citizens is becoming much easier owing to the joint order of the Kazakh Foreign Minister dated 3 December 2003 No.08-1/187 and the Kazakh Minister of Internal Affairs dated 18 December 2003 No.724.
According to this document, consular agencies of the Republic of Kazakhstan can issue single diplomatic, business, individual and tourist visas of the Republic of Kazakhstan to citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia, Republic of Austria, Kingdom of Belgium, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Hellenic Republic, Kingdom of Denmark, Republic of Ireland, Republic of Iceland, Spain, Italian Republic, Canada, Principality of Liechtenstein, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, Kingdom of Norway, Portuguese Republic, Republic of Singapore, United States of America, Republic of Finland, French Republic, Federative Republic of Germany, Swiss Confederation, Kingdom of Sweden, and Japan on their written application without invitation and visa support.
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