COUNTRY Representative in Guyana, Mr. Georgio Valentini said, Thursday, that the World Bank is looking to enhance transparency in its operations and will be deepening its engagements with the media and civil society. Speaking to the media, during an informal discussion, he said the institution prides itself on being open and transparent and all documents will be accessible on its website.
The bank, which has been serving Guyana since 1962, intensified its cooperation and assistance to this country since his appointment by World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean. Ms. Yvonne Tsikata.
“We want to communicate what we do. We want to listen to others,” said Valentini.
He added that he wanted this communication to be a dialogue and directed reporters to the website where all of the comments made about the work of all development banks are available for anyone to see.
In December 2009, the World Bank finalised its Access to Information Policy, which made it a transparency leader among international institutions. It was approved by the Board of Executive Directors on November 17, 2009, and will become effective July 1, 2010.
The new policy is representative of a fundamental shift in the Bank’s approach to the disclosure of information and it will now be saying what information it cannot disclose rather than telling what it can.
Consequently, the Bank will begin to release any information in its possession that is not on a list of exceptions.
Valentini said the aim is to improve and innovate.
“…doing things better and adding value,” he stated.
Asked why the Bank is not involved in the financing of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, Valentini said it was not asked and, according to its operational procedures, governments must make a request before the Bank becomes involved, because the Bank “does not market itself.”
He said, when the Bank receives a request for a project, the evaluation process could take time.
About the many critical international reports on Guyana and their possible effects on World Bank and aid, Valentini said: “We are not here to criticize. We are here to be a partner, to bring value.”
He said the Bank keeps it real by being objective and not taking one side or another.