WB energy mission in Baku

A World Bank mission comprised of Michael Levitsky, Alan Townsend and Farid Mammadov is currently in Baku to supervise the work by consultants under the "Azerbaijan Electricity and Natural Gas Restructuring and Regulatory Reform" project.

The mission will also contribute energy sector expertise to the work of further World Bank and IMF missions early in May to address economic and financial policy issues.

The work is being financed by the Public-Private Infrastructure Access Facility (PPIAF). Tasks of the mission, among others, include to solicit comments and responses from the counterparts, which include Ministry of Economy, Ministry of State Property, Cabinet of Ministers, Anti-Monopoly Committee, Azerenerji, Azerigas, and SOCAR.

The mission will also assess the progress being made in the country on energy sector reform and privatization and discuss with the counterparts the next steps in the Project. These are expected to include further assistance with electricity sector reform, and in-depth review of the natural gas sub-sector.*