Nelly Petkova in Kazakhstan and David Simek in Kyrgyzstan and Moldova (both OECD) managed the project. This work, however, would not have been possible without the substantive inputs of two consultants. Rafal Stanek helped prepare the costing model and methodology and David Toft co‑ordinated market analyses (both Kommunalkredit Public Consulting/SST Consult).
Substantial support in data collection and in-country project co‑ordination was provided by Bakhyt Bayanova (Center for Trade Policy and Development, Ministry of National Economy of Kazakhstan), Mihai Roscovan (BCI Consulting, Moldova) and Dastan Asylbekov and Nurgul Akimova (Kyrgyzstan). Their commitment to this work is very much appreciated.
The final version of this study benefited from the attentive guidance and constructive comments of Krzysztof Michalak (OECD). We are also grateful to Kumi Kitamori (OECD) for her support.
Special thanks go to our colleagues from the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Environment (and its successor, the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment) of Moldova and the Ministry of Economy of Kyrgyzstan for their help during project implementation.
The authors are very grateful to Biljana Spasojevic, Martin Gauss and Margareta McConnell (all Kommunalkredit Public Consulting). Their experience and expertise are reflected within this report and in comprehensive presentations delivered throughout several country visits.
The authors would like to thank Vicky Elliot and Peter Vogelpogel for their thorough help with editing and layout of the Kazakhstan case study, as well as Fiona Hinchcliffe for Moldova and Kyrgyzstan case studies. Mark Foss is due special thanks for helpful editorial feedback on this synthesis report. The authors also thank Mark Foss for editing and Andrew Esson for layout of the country projects brochures (highlights).
Natalia Chumachenko and Lilia Kucharska translated the Kazakhstan case study into Russian; Oleg Surduleac translated the Kyrgyzstan country study into Russian; and Marina Scutari translated the Moldova study into Romanian.
Janine Treves (OECD) provided valuable advice with respect to the publication process. Lupita Johanson and Peter Carlson (both OECD) expertly guided the editorial processes, as well as outreach and communications for the projects and for disseminating the work. Irina Belkahia, Aleksandra Bogusz and Inmaculada Valencia (all OECD) provided excellent overall administrative support to the projects.
All these contributions are gratefully acknowledged. Without the personal and institutional commitment of all these individuals, the project would not have been possible.