OREANDA-NEWS. July 14, 2014. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (The World Bank) and The State Company Russian Highways (AVTODOR) have signed a Reimbursable Advisory Services Agreement to develop a methodology to assess AVTODOR’s investment project effectiveness.

The Agreement was signed by Head of AVTODOR Sergey Kelbakh and World Bank Country Director and Resident Representative in the Russian Federation Michal Rutkowski.

As per the Agreement, building on its best practice international experience gained over the years, the World Bank will design and recommend a methodology to assess investment projects, which should not contradict regulatory and legal framework of the Russian Federation.

A World Bank team of experts will prepare detailed guidelines for AVTODOR on conducting and organizing an evaluation process and draft a package of recommendations with a view to identifying the viability of implementing projects in Russia through either different public-private partnership (PPP) schemes or traditional procurement methods.

In order to pilot-test the methodology, the World Bank’s team—in cooperation with AVTODOR—will identify two construction projects of regional and/or federal significance. Also, the agreement envisages a training course for AVTODOR staff to enhance the company’s capacity in this area.

The agreement is expected to be implemented before end-October, 2015.