Azernews.Az

BAKU – About one million Azerbaijanis will have access to better judicial services thanks to the upgrade of 11 courthouses in various parts of the country, improved management of judicial institutions, training of judges and judicial staff, and implementation of modern technology as part of the World Bank’s new financing for Azerbaijan’s judicial system.

The World Bank’s Board of Directors on Wednesday approved a US$ 9.2 million equivalent IDA credit and a US$ 24.2 million IBRD loan for the Azerbaijan Judicial Modernization Project Additional Financing. With the US$ 28.3 million government contribution, the total financing for the project is estimated at US$ 61.7 million. The goal of the project is to develop the capacity of Azerbaijan’s judicial system to make it more efficient and able to handle future demand as well as improve access of citizens to information and services.

This financing will cover additional costs of the original project approved by the World Bank in 2006 due to the inclusion of a number of new technical assistance activities in the project as well as from increases in construction costs.

Over the recent years, judicial institutions in Azerbaijan have achieved some important progress towards meeting market economy and civic needs for example, it put in place a more transparent and competitive system of selection of judges, improved the physical state and other infrastructure of courts. However, much more needs to be done, in particular, on strengthening institutional capabilities and improving the quality of services, the World Bank says.

"This additional financing will help Azerbaijan citizens and businesses to receive quality and efficient judicial services" said Asad Alam, World Bank Regional Director for South Caucasus. "Modernization of Azerbaijan’s judiciary can play a vital role in the country’s future economic development."

Since joining the World Bank in 1992, the commitments to Azerbaijan total approximately US$ 2.9 billion for 43 projects.