Regions and Countries

	Table of Contents
p. 21 of 22 BACK | NEXT I. Summary II. Background and Rationale III. The ADB Initiative Towards Economic Cooperation in Central Asia IV. Sector Priorities and the Proposed Program 2001-2003 V. Addressing Poverty and Governance and other Cross-Cutting Concerns VI. Issues and Challenges A. Increasing Internal Resources B. Improving Coordination with Other International Funding Agencies C. Country Programming Integration D. Regional Institutional Support

Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation : VI. Issues and Challenges

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C. Country Programming Integration

55. It is expected that the strategy and tactics expressed in this document will be reviewed throughout 2000; at the anticipated conferences and workshops on transportation, energy, and trade, and as part of the ongoing dialogue with the respective Governments and other international funding organizations. The thrust of the ADB’s program should also be formally reviewed during country programming exercises to ensure continued relevance and adequate provision in the respective programs for expected TA, loan and economic and sector work activities. All regional projects must be consistent with and supportive of national programs of assistance.¹² Regional public sector loan projects, in particular, must ultimately be resolved as obligations of individual governments. This is particularly important to ensure that regional projects, in the context of country assistance programs, are complementary both with respect to projects across sectors and with respect to cross-cutting concerns. Further problems that need addressing include the difficult task of apportioning financing responsibilities among participating countries. Costs and benefits for regional projects do not necessarily accrue in the same fashion across national boundaries and this must be taken into account when designing loan projects. TA activities in support of investments may also need nationally specific identification within country pipelines. Moreover all activities must be consistent with staff resources. This document represents the first concrete step towards a regional plan and to initiate the integration within the national programs of assistance.

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