Kazakhstan Country Program Evaluation FY04-13

Abstract

Kazakhstan made steady progress on
 poverty reduction and social development during the review
 period, driven by impressive economic growth and rising
 hydrocarbon prices. Yet, the country continues to grapple
 with a number of systemic challenges, including: a lack of
 progress on economic diversification and anticorruption; a
 dominant role of the state in the economy; a lack of skills
 in the labor force; and a legacy of environmental problems
 inherited from the Soviet era. The quality of the Bank Group
 dialogue with the government was exceptionally high
 throughout the evaluation period. The Bank Group has
 established itself as a trusted adviser to the government,
 with a proven track record of timely delivery of
 high-quality technical and policy advice, including
 cabinet-level ‘brainstorming sessions’ and the client-funded
 Joint Economic Research Program (JERP). Implementation of
 the JERP suggests that it could become a powerful tool for
 strengthening the partnership, advancing the reform agenda,
 and gradually building up the lending program. At the same
 time, the fully demand-driven nature of the program imposed
 limitations on the Bank in defining strategic priorities in
 its advisory work, disseminating findings, and engaging
 local partners. Looking forward, the Bank Group will need to
 (i) link the JERP with concrete sector investments and
 advance monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools to track
 its effectiveness; (ii) disclose the main policy
 recommendations; (iii) engage local partners and civil
 society to advance transparency and accountability and build
 capacity; (iv) select and prepare of a set of analytical
 products independently and in line with the World Bank
 Group’s global development mandate; and (v) be more
 selective and strategic in sector engagement.