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Sunday, December 11, 2011

Support for Promoting Good Governance in Pacific Developing Member Asian Development Bank’s

This special evaluation study (SES) assesses Asian Development Bank’s (ADB’s) support for promoting good governance in Pacific developing member countries (DMCs) from 2000 to 2010 (study period). It is an input to the forthcoming evaluation of the Pacific Approach 2010– 2014 and provides lessons and recommendations for the next Pacific strategy.

ADB support for governance is included in operations for public sector management (PSM) as well as assistance for other sectors that have governance as a thematic classification (e.g., education, energy, finance, transport, among others). For the purposes of the study the evaluation covers grants, loans, and technical assistance (TA) projects classified under PSM from 2000 to 2010 and governance-related components of a non-PSM subsector where ADB is most active in the Pacific region. The roads subsector was selected as a case study as it is one of the priority subsectors in the Pacific DMCs and it draws from the Pacific region sector assistance program evaluation on transport.

From 2000 to 2010, ADB approved $158 million for 10 loans and grants, and $42 million for 96 advisory TA projects classified under PSM. In addition, ADB has supported numerous sector specific projects and regional TA with governance and institution building components.

Asian Development Bank’s. Evaluation Study.Reference Number: SES:REG 2011-41.Special Evaluation Study.November 2011

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Promoting an Asia Pacific Wastewater Management Revolution

In accordance with the ADB's Water Policy, the TA will support development of wastewater investment projects through knowledge management, examination of technology options, incentives and financing mechanisms, and conduct of knowledge exchange and capacity development activities. The TA proposes to concretize the advocacy into potential business opportunities by undertaking limited pre-feasibility studies to establish financial sustainability and then conducting round tables amongst stakeholders (primarily public sector agencies and private investors) to confirm their interest to invest after full fledged feasibility studies (beyond scope of this proposal). Proven solutions that can be potentially applied to a local situation will be discussed at the roundtable as a sustainable business opportunity for wastewater management. The mutually accepted opportunities will then be further developed as a wastewater investment project with private participation by ADB with other partners.

Asian Development Bank.Project Number. 45119- 01


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Solomon Islands.Renewable Energy for Telecom Networks

Increased penetration of high-quality, affordable mobile telecom services provided in an efficient, sustainable, and socially responsible manner.  Mobile operators reduce reliance on diesel for power generation. 1. A solar and wind assessment for mobile base stations is undertaken. 2. Renewable energy and remote monitoring technologies are piloted. 3. Training in operation and maintenance (O&M) and best practice engineering for solar and wind technologies is provided. 4. Community power models are piloted. 5. A plan for upscaling and increasing access to renewable technologies is prepared. A consulting firm will be recruited to implement the CDTA. The CDTA will require an estimated 10.5 person-months of international consulting services and 5.5 person-months of local consulting services.

World Bank.Project Number 45926- 01.

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India.Advanced Project Preparedness for Poverty Reduction-Supporting Clean Village Environments

On 31 August 2009, ADB approved the provision of a Technical Assistance Cluster (C-TA) to India for Advanced Project Preparedness for Poverty Reduction to the Government of India. The C-TA is financed on a grant basis through the Department of International Development (DFID), funded by the Government of the United Kingdom, under the DFID and ADB Partnership for India, 2009-2013. The C-TA is implemented until 31 December 2013 in two phases: The first phase (Phase 1), in the amount of $14 million equivalent, covers 17 component TA projects with completion by 31 August 2012. The second phase (Phase 2), approved through a major change in scope and implementation arrangements by the ADB Board on 4 October 2011, entails an increase of $8 million equivalent and the addition of 9 new component TA projects to be completed by 31 December 2013. 

Asian Development Bank.Project Number 43166-26


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Pakistan.Malakand Rural Development Project

Among the government’s strategic objectives at the time of project approval were poverty reduction and human resource development. Regional and area development projects targeting less developed areas were the main approaches to reducing rural poverty. The 1995 country operational strategy of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) specified sustained economic growth and simultaneous poverty reduction as objectives of ADB assistance to Pakistan.3 The strategy also emphasized human resource development, with particular focus on women, and enhanced productivity of natural resources.

According to the revised project framework in the RRP, the project was expected to (i) raise the per capita income of the project area beneficiaries to attain or exceed the poverty line, and (ii) improve the human resource and income-generating potential of women in the project area. The framework did not directly mention specific baselines and targets for the expected impact.

Asian Development Bank.Reference Number: PCV: PAK 2011-43.Project Number: 29603.Loan Number: 1672-PAK(SF).November 2011. Pakistan: Malakand Rural Development Project


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Pakistan.Road Sector Development Program

Access to markets and social services in rural areas of Sindh was poor because substantial portions of the provincial and rural road networks were in bad condition. Interventions were needed in line with the strategies of the Government of Pakistan and ADB to improve key sections of the provincial highway network, improve and rehabilitate rural access roads (RAR) in areas with pervasive poverty, strengthen institutional capacity in the provincial works and services department (WSD),4 and initiate policy reforms toward managing roads more effectively.

The anticipated social and poverty impacts, particularly from RARs, included increased income and employment opportunities, improved access to social services, and strengthened food security. The main impact of the PSDP was expected to be (i) local economic growth that would generate employment, (ii) lower transaction costs, and (iii) improved economic efficiency. Although poverty indicators for the country and for four provinces including Sindh are given in the report and recommendation of the President (RRP), no performance indicator or target was offered. Para. 125 of the RRP estimates that 20%–35% of national benefits from improved provincial highways would accrue to the poor.

The PSDP was to enhance access to markets and social services in rural areas by (i) improving and rehabilitating the RAR network; (ii) preserving key road assets by rationalizing road maintenance, including creating a provincial road maintenance fund; (iii) improving important provincial highways to facilitate trade and create income and employment opportunities; (iv) improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Sindh WSD in planning, managing, and maintaining the provincial road network; (v) supporting reforms in the road sector; and (vi) promoting private sector participation in road development and maintenance.
The policy and institutional reform component initiated a process of change in the province intended to transform the WSD into an efficient institution that, in partnership with district governments and the private sector, could provide a safe, cost-effective, and well-maintained network of provincial and rural roads. Some of the targets in the RRP were (i) lower vehicle operating costs, (ii) lower transport costs for farm inputs and outputs, (iii) alternative financing mechanisms that would reduce the burden on public sector resources, and (iv) fewer road accidents.
 
Asian Development Bank.Reference Number:PCV:PAK 2011-42.Project Number:32058-02.Loan Numbers:1892-PAK,1893-PAK (SF)



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Nepal.Gender.Focused Capacity Development in Clean Energy

The project will improve the reliability of energy supply in Nepal and strengthen the transmission infrastructure needed to promote Nepal s capacity for cross-border energy trade. It will provide support in three critical areas in the electricity supply industry, which has experienced severe underinvestment: (i) electricity transmission capacity expansion, (ii) strengthening of distribution systems including those along the Tamakoshi (Khimti) Kathmandu transmission line, and (iii) rehabilitation of selected small hydropower plants.

Asian Development Bank.Project Number 41155- 02


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Nepal.Electricity Transmission Expansion and Supply Improvement Project

The project will improve the reliability of energy supply in Nepal and strengthen the transmission infrastructure needed to promote Nepal s capacity for cross-border energy trade. It will provide support in three critical areas in the electricity supply industry, which has experienced severe underinvestment: (i) electricity transmission capacity expansion, (ii) strengthening of distribution systems including those along the Tamakoshi (Khimti) Kathmandu transmission line, and (iii) rehabilitation of selected small hydropower plants.

Asian Development Bank.Project Number




41155- 02


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Bhutan and Nepal.South Asia Road Safety Programs

The South Asia Regional Road Safety Program is a multi-sectoral approach and aims to involve 5 countries; India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Nepal. The first phase of the project will focus on Bhutan and Nepal, and the second phase will focus on India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. This project aims to identify and prepare for further design and implementation most urgent and cost efficient South Asia Regional Road Safety Program, and improve country road safety capacities and collaboration mechanisms both between the countries and with external organizations/agencies.

Asian Development Bank.Project Number 45281- 01


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Bhutan.Basic Skills Development Project

Since the 1980s, the economy of Bhutan has grown steadily at more than 5% per annum, which has created jobs. Policy makers kept the high growth rate going by admitting expatriate labor from neighboring countries. At appraisal, it was estimated that 50,000 expatriate workers were employed in Bhutan. Meanwhile, new Bhutanese entrants to the labor market were unable to take advantage of this employment growth, as they did not possess the skills in demanded, causing high unemployment among youths in Bhutan. The inability to meet domestic demand for labor with Bhutanese possessing appropriate skills was identified as a binding constraint on growth. The Government of Bhutan consequently wanted to restrict the inflow of expatriate workers and channel young Bhutanese into private sector employment. The Basic Skills Development Project (BSDP) addressed some of these issues with technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

The BSDP was to provide improved and relevant training in employable skills to new graduates, the unemployed, youths, women, and people living in rural areas; it was expected to reduce urban unemployment of people in the 15–24 age group to the average national unemployment rate plus 2%. However, the report and recommendation of the President (RRP) did not mention a benchmark unemployment rate.

The BSDP was expected to (i) strengthen institutional capacity to ensure the delivery of basic skills training relevant to market needs and commensurate with the capacity of beneficiaries, (ii) increase access to basic skills training by expanding TVET and rehabilitating and establishing facilities, (iii) improve the quality of basic skills training by strengthening links with the private sector, and (iv) promote the use of basic skills by developing employment guidance and job placement services.

Asian Development Bank.Reference Number: PCV: BHU 2011-45.Project Number: 31317.Loan Number: 1830-BHU(SF).November 2011.


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Uganda. Millennium Science Initiative

The project's development objective is for Ugandan universities and research institutes to produce more and better qualified science and engineering graduates, and higher quality and more relevant research, and for firms to utilize these outputs to improve productivity for the sake of enhancing S&T-led growth.

World Bank.Author: Brar,Sukhdeep. Document Date:2011/12/04.Document Type: Implementation Status and Results Report.Report Number: ISR4772


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Uganda.Privatization & Utility Sector Reform

Improve the quality, coverage and economic efficiency of commercial and utility services, through privatization, private participation in infrastructure (PPI), and an improved regulatory framework. This objective will be achieved by a higher level of private investment, and better quality and access of services in the telecommunications, water, electricity and transport sectors; divestiture and improved efficiency of remaining public enterprises; and strengthening the regulatory framework and institutions in relevant sectors.

World Bank.Author: Schlotterer,Robert.Document Date:  2011/12/04.Document Type: Implementation Status and Results Report.Report Number: ISR4676


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Uganda.REDD plus benefit sharing

The Nile Basin Reforestation Project began in 2006 and consists of five small-scale Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) reforestation projects being implemented in the Rwoho Central Forest Reserve in South Western Uganda. Local communities are involved in the project in two ways. Formal 'participants' collaborate through pre-existing or newly formed community associations in each of the five project areas and 'non-participants' are involved through employment on the plantation.

The participant associations enter into a collaborative forest management agreement with the National Forest Authority (NFA) to manage part of the reserve. At the time of the study, this had only occurred in one project site between the NFA and the Rwoho Environmental Conservation and Protection Association (RECPA). Permanence is dealt with through a variety of conditions, such as limitations on when thinning, harvesting and re-planting can occur, and placing certain requirements on the NFA up to the relating to payment of damages and taking corrective actions depending on the cause of permanence failure.

The project will also generate temporary credits, which expire at the end of the commitment period following the one during which they were issued.

Author:  Peskett, Leo.Document Date:2011/01/01.Document Type:Working Paper.Report Number:65862.Volume No:1 of 1


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Zambia.Increased Access to Electricity

The objective of this project is to increase access to electricity services and improve efficiency and quality of the electricity distribution system in targeted areas.

World Bank.Author:Rezaian,Abdolreza B.Document Date:2011/12/03.Document Type: Implementation Status and Results Report.Report Number:ISR4046

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Zambia.Second Phase of the Strengthening Climate Resilience Project

Project Development Objective: The development objective of this Project Preparation Grant is to facilitate the preparation of the following projects: (a) Strengthening Climate Resilience in Zambia and the Barotse sub-basin (administered through the World Bank) and (b) Strengthening Climate Resilience in the Kafue River Basin (administered through the African Development Bank).

World Bank.Document Date:  2011/10/10.Document Type: Procurement Plan.Report Number:65930.Volume No:  1 of 1

Zambia - Second Phase of the Strengthening Climate Resilience Project : procurement planx
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Zimbabwe.Trust Fund Administration Concerning the Analytical Multi Donor Trust Fund

We are pleased to acknowledge on behalf of the International Development Association (“IDA") the intention of Switzerland as represented by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) (the “Donor") to make available as a grant the sum of three hundred thousand USD (USD 300,000) (the “Contribution") for the Analytical Multi-Donor Trust Fund. Other donors are also expected to contribute to this Trust Fund on the terms and conditions specified in the Annexes to this Agreement.



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Zimbabwe.Beitbridge Emergency Water Supply and Sanitation Project State and Peace-Building Fund

We refer to the Grant Agreement (the Agreement) for the above mentioned Project dated January 5 , 2011 between the International Development Association (the World Bank) and the Beitbridge Town Council (the Recipient), acting as administrator of grant funds provided under the State and Peace- Building Fund (SPF). We also refer to your letter dated September 29, 2011 the Association to include Operating Costs as an eligible expenditure under the Project
We are pleased to inform you that the World Bank accedes to your request and hereby amends the agreement as set out in the Annex to this letter.
Zimbabwe: Beitbridge Emergency Water Supply and Sanitation Project State and Peace-Building Fund (SPF) Grant No. TF098399-ZW Reallocation of Grant Proceedss
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West and Central Africa Air Transport Safety

The project development objectives are set as follows: (a) Improve Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) compliance with ICAO's safety standards; (b) Improve CAA's compliance with ICAO's security standard; and (c) enhance main international airports' compliance with ICAO's security standards.

World Bank.Author:Author: Rabefaniraka,Noroarisoa.Document Date:2011/12/05.Document Type:Implementation Status and Results Report.Report Number: ISR4942

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