| Description |
Create a basis for setting priorities during evaluation of sector development plans, corporate plans, departmental budgets, and project proposals.
Outputs will comprise (i) an overall national development strategy with well-integrated sector frameworks; (ii) a national strategic planning process based upon consultation among stakeholders, public and private, with mechanisms for updating national strategic plans and sector frameworks in response to changing circumstances; and (iii) trained, experienced economists and sector analysts in line agencies, capable of continuing the process upon completion of the TA.
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| Outcome |
Progress Toward Outcome |
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Areas that required examination and redefining were on the formulation and articulation of medium and long-term priorities of the Government through Prioritized Action Agenda (PAA), and the sequence and resourcing of critical policy interventions to realize the countrys development goals. The PAA prepared under ADB assistance in 2003 provided a lead in direction setting out priority mapping, but remained too broad and complex, lacked focus in several areas, and was fragmented, without any cost estimates. Sector policies were vaguely defined, resulting in some ambitious project definition and/or difficulties in linking project proposals to the Governments national priorities. In addition, the GIP process though overhauled and simplified over the past years, needed continuous improvement. The investment proposals included in the GIP lacked policy analysis, cost-benefit analysis, and project justification. Therefore the need for setting priorities of sector development plans, corporate plans, departmental budgets, and project proposals increasingly became apparent to meet the countrys development goals in the medium term. Consequently, a TA was designed to prepare a medium term strategic framework (MTSF) by revising the PPA, redesign the GIP, and strengthen aid management and the selection and prioritizing of development programs.
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The TA was highly successful as all the components under the MTSF was completed and accepted by all parties. In November 2006, the Government formally endorsed the MTSF as the basis of development planning and budget preparation. The endorsement was effective immediately and resulted in the MTSF being used as the framework for budget preparation activities in 2007 for the 2008 budget. Despite staff shortages in DESP, the consultants established effective working relationships with the Executing Agency (EA) which eventually contributed to the sustainable impact of the TA results. The consultants provided their services in accordance with the terms of reference, which were generally adequate and acceptable by the EA. They adopted a proactive approach to ensure a wide range of government officials were involved in the activities under the TA. Several workshops were organized with stakeholder groups to consolidate their views in the development of the MTSF. DESP also actively participated in the implementation of the TA.
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| Outputs and Timeframe |
Status of Implementation
Progress (Outputs, Activities and Issues) |
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The TA outputs comprised: (i) a revised PAA, (ii) a simplified GIP aligned with the PAA, (iii) well-focused project proposals, (iv) a manual on preparation of project cost estimates, (v) strengthened capacity of sector policy analysts in central and line agencies, and (vi) improved coordination of externally assisted projects. By strengthening the MTSF process of prioritizing policies and projects and allocation of resources to strategic priorities between and within sectors, the TA was expected to improve financial management and use of limited financial resources, and develop the capacity of the concerned agency staff through mentoring and training programs. As a result, it was to have a significant impact on governance due to improved planning and budgeting systems, formalized links between all components of the development planning and budgeting frameworks, a medium term approach to these activities and, more importantly, a move to far more strategic development planning.
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The consultants produced all comprehensive reports (inception, interim, mid-term, and final reports) on a timely basis, which was accepted by the Government and ADB. The MTSF has been successfully developed, which included the following outputs: the preparation of the PAA 2006 2015; redesign of the GIP and implementation of a process for developing and implementing an accurate development database that links into the budget through the governments Financial Management Information System; focused strategic program proposals; strengthen planning capacity in DESP of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management and line ministries; development of a monitoring framework for the PAA; and preparation for the production of an annual development report, beginning in 2008.
The revised PAA 2006-2015 provides a clear guidance on the governments strategic development priorities and the direction in which it wishes to take the country in the medium term. It places emphasis on inter-sector linkages, and is based on programs rather than projects. As a result, the PAA and other planning and budget documents are not treated in isolation from each other. Rather careful consideration is taken on the linkages between the various components of the development planning and budgeting processes and a coordinated approach to these processes.
Certain additional outputs that significantly enhanced the completeness of the MTSF were also delivered during the TA implementation, namely (i) development of a MTEF, (ii) revision of ministerial corporate plans, and (iii) revision of the performance indicators in the PAA. The MTEF the largest additional TA output - has also considerably contributed to the overall effectiveness of the MTSF process. It links the medium term programs of Ministries and sectors though multi-year activities, supported by information on development costs and recurrent funding needs in future years. Through the MTEF, the Ministries will have access to budget envelopes for future years. A series of workshops and consultation meetings were organized to discuss the TA outputs and solicit inputs from key stakeholders, including government agencies, external funding agencies, and non-government organizations. Additionally, seven Discussion Papers, two Briefing Papers and three Information Papers were prepared and delivered. These papers ensured a higher degree of involvement and ownership by local counterpart staff, and served to strengthen local capacity. Some papers were used as manuals and guides for various activities such as the preparation of Corporate Plans by Ministries. The outputs delivered by the consultants exceeded those originally required, and this supported the achievement of sustainable TA outcomes. Consequently, the Government formally adopted the MTSF and all its components in November 2006 which was announced at the Development Partners meeting on 28 November 2006. Cooperation with other development partners also established a framework to build on the achievements of the TA.
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