The World Bank has begun a process of evaluating projects financed in Guinea-Bissau, budgeted at approximately US$260 million, mainly in the health, education, energy and telecommunications sectors, with the first working meeting taking place in Bissau, the international press reported.

Present at the meeting were the World Bank representative in Guinea Bissau, Kristina Svensson, the chief of operations, Louise Cord, the Guinean prime minister, Aristides Gomes, who also oversees the Finance and Finance Ministries and several members of the government.

Gomes said at the opening of the meeting that his government is willing to “create favourable conditions” for “good execution” of all projects financed by the World Bank, which he said would involve transparent management of Public Finances and political stabilisation of the country.

General elections scheduled for 18 November are essential for stabilisation, said the Guinean prime minister, who has promised to work to ensure that Guinea-Bissau is respected by all its partners.

World Bank operations director Louise Cord said the ongoing projects in Guinea-Bissau are aimed at “providing basic services” to people, including women and children, noting that the country continues to have one of the highest rates of child mortality in the world. (macauhub)