Feb 21 (Interfax) - Russia is currently implementing 24 projects worth a total of $2.2 billion on credits extended by the World Bank. Of this sum, $1.2 billion has been invested already, the Ministry for Economic Development writes in materials prepared for a Cabinet meeting to be held on Thursday to discuss Russia's cooperation with the World Bank for 2002-04. Sources in the Ministry for Economic Development have told Interfax that Russia is to start implementing three projects in the timber and coal industries and in the Far North worth a total of $340 million this year. Eight projects, estimated at $857 million, are currently being discussed. Agreements on them are likely to be signed in 2002. These projects have to do with budget federalism, urban heating, water-supply and sewage systems, educational and healthcare reforms, the organization of the treasury system, the reconstruction of the central part of St. Petersburg, and the modernization of the tax service. Talks are being held on World Bank loans to implement projects to combat tuberculosis, judiciary reform projects, and projects to modernize customs and railway transport. According to the Ministry, Russia has been cooperating with the World Bank since 1992, borrowing a total of $8.93 billion, of which $7.95 billion has been spent.