On November 12, Anar Karimov, Azerbaijan's First Deputy Minister of Finance, met with World Bank Group’s Agriculture and Food mission, who is on a visit to the country.
The meeting addressed the current state and prospects of cooperation between the Government of Azerbaijan and the World Bank in the field of agriculture and irrigation, including the preparation, approval and implementation mechanisms of the "Competitive, Resilient Agriculture and Irrigation Services" (CRAIS) project.
The sides noted that this initiative aims to increase the productivity, sustainability and competitiveness of Azerbaijan's agricultural sector, with a special focus on priority irrigation schemes and activities.
Azerbaijani First Deputy Minister emphasized that modernization of the agricultural sector, increasing the efficiency of irrigation infrastructure, introducing agricultural technologies adapted to climate change, and strengthening food security are among the government's main priorities.
Holger Kray, the World Bank's Regional Manager for Agriculture and Food in Europe and Central Asia, hailed Azerbaijan's achievements in the development of agriculture and irrigation infrastructure in recent years, saying that the CRAIS project would serve to increase the sustainability of the agricultural sector and support economic activity, as well as employment in rural areas.
The sides also exchanged views on preparation for project implementation, involvement of experts in the field, acceleration of technical preparation processes, as well as other issues of mutual interest.
