World Bank finalizes $50 million agreement with Kosovo

Gazeta Express

13/05/2020 16:58

The World Bank finalized Wednesday negotiations with the Government of Kosovo for a COVID-19 Emergency Project for Kosovo in the amount of US$50 million.

Over the last month, the World Bank worked intensively with the Ministry of Finance and Transfers and the Ministry of Health to agree on the objectives and components of the emergency project, which will help Kosovo to prevent, detect and respond to the threat posed by COVID-19 and strengthen its public health system, WB said in a statement.

It includes urgent procurement of medical equipment and supplies for the health sector, strengthening of COVID-19 testing and early detection capacity, improvements and expansion of the capacity of the Infectious Disease Clinic, and mobilization of additional health personnel. It also includes temporary support for beneficiaries of the Social Assistance Scheme and households who qualify for support under the Emergency Fiscal Plan.

According to World Bank for implementation of the project to start, the Parliament of Kosovo needs to ratify the agreement with the World Bank with a 2/3 majority. We count on the strong support of all members of parliament to make this happen as soon as possible. This project is part of an overall World Bank program of activities, likely to exceed €120 million, to support Kosovo manage and mitigate the impact of COVID-19. /GazetaExpress/