Monday, February 13, 2012

Afghanistan

World Bank Urges Afghan Donors Not To Bypass Government

Afghan infrastructure remains highly underdeveloped (courtesy R. Kober)

PRAGUE, 23 January 2006 (RFE/RL) -- The World Bank is calling on international donors to direct more of their aid through Afghanistan's government channels.

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January 23, 2006

The international financial institution said in a report today that such a move would help ensure fiscal sustainability and support the country's long-term development.

The document noted that around three-quarters of external aid is currently channeled outside the country's own budget.

World Bank country director for Afghanistan, Alastair McKechnie, said in a statement that the simple challenge of keeping track of projects over which it has no control and often little knowledge strains government capacity and undermines its authority.

The document was released ahead of a two-day conference in London that begins on 31 January, at which Afghanistan's foreign partners are expected to reaffirm their support for the country's development.

(with additional AFP reporting)

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