Developing Regional
Infrastructure T
he conflicts of the 1990s left a trail of destruction across the Western Balkans, not just to people’s
lives but to the environment and infrastructure across this large area. Transport systems were debilitated, power plants destroyed and natural resources contaminated, problems that continue to affect people’s day- to-day lives. The Western Balkans is the name
given to the south-eastern European area that comprises countries, most of them part of the former Yugoslavia, that are not part of the EU. Apart from Croatia, which joined the EU in July 2013, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania are aspiring to EU membership. While the political nature of some states such as Kosovo is still unclear, the EU is focussing its attention on the economic development of the region and has put in place conditions to create sustainable development in the area. The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) was set up in 2009 to pool financial resources from the European Union, European and International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and bi-lateral donors to finance projects that will ensure the
effective and rapid preparation of investment projects in the energy, transport, environment and social infrastructure sectors in the seven beneficiary countries, promoting future investment under the WBIF and where possible encouraging regional development opportunities.
Upgrading Infrastructure WYG began working in the former
Yugoslavia before its breakup and continued throughout the period of conflict. WYG has built a substantial presence in the region in the past 15 years, with eight offices and an annual turnover of approximately €12m. Early engagement in the Western Balkans focussed on socio-economic development projects including governance, public administration, finance, education and SME development, supporting the needs of newly-formed countries in the region. This led increasingly to address the needs in basic infrastructure across the region.
Currently WYG is leading a consortium on the first awarded Infrastructure Projects Facility (IPF) to provide and develop the skills required in expanding and upgrading the transport, environment and energy
80 GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY 2014 | ISSUE 01
Global programme, project management and technical consultancy WYG has been working in the Western Balkans since the 1990s. International Technical Services Managing Director Gordon Lamond explains the intricacies of working in new political entities.
infrastructure, as well as assisting in social development. Working with all regional stakeholders, the core of WYG’s work in this €30m project has been to develop a pipeline of quality infrastructure projects, supported by the IFIs. Services provided in the assignment include preparing pre- feasibility and feasibility studies, environmental and social impact assessments, preparing concept, preliminary and detailed designs, preparation of tender documents, assistance to the beneficiaries throughout the tendering
process and support in carrying out effective monitoring and evaluation of implemented construction works. These have an immediate and positive impact not just on local communities but across national boundaries. Fundamental to its success is ensuring that the environment external to the project is conducive to its smooth operation, identifying
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