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Seminannual Report on Project Administration and Technical Assistance Implementation for the Period Ending 30 June 1999 : Country Implementation Highlights
NepalThe number of ongoing loans was reduced to 20 because no loans were approved and one was closed during the period. None of the loans were rated unsatisfactory in terms of implementation progress or in terms of achievement of development objectives but one was rated partly satisfactory in terms of implementation progress and two as partly satisfactory in terms of achievement of development objectives. Portfolio performance had improved compared with that in 1998 when one loan was rated unsatisfactory and one partly satisfactory in terms of achievement of development objectives. Overall, although project implementation had improved somewhat, several major issues continued to impede progress across all sectors. Three loans approved in 1998 (one during the first half and two during the second half of the year) were declared effective during the period, and none were awaiting signing or effectiveness. Two loans underwent minor changes in project scope during the period to help achieve their objectives. Two loans were delegated to the RM; one loan previously delegated was closed during the period. Eight delegated loans were under implementation by the RM. Delays in the recruitment of consultants, inadequate delegation of authority at the project level, and a high turnover in project managers continued to be the main causes of implementation delays. Also, frequent changes of Government have affected project implementation (last changes were made in July/August 1999). The RM continued to provide assistance by holding regular monthly meetings with project directors/managers. A CPIP was completed that identified constraints in project design and implementation. These constraints will be addressed through TAs. Bank initiatives in 1999 included the continuation of TAs to improve project implementation and provision of TAs and training programs to improve the implementation capacities of EAs. The Bank has strengthened its focus on governance and capacity-building efforts in the past few years. With the implementation of the Agriculture Prospective Plan and emphasis on District and Village Development Committees, the Government has also enhanced decentralization and people's participation in development activities. The Local Governance Bill, which was passed by the parliament in September 1998, was submitted for the Royal Seal in February 1999. An advisory TA for Formulating an Action Plan on Civil Service Reforms was approved by the Bank and reforms are under way. The Governance Strategy Study is in progress. Contract awards during the period amounted to $15.1 million, representing 87 percent of the semiannual projection of $17.3 million and 64 percent of the annual projection of $23.6 million. Disbursements of $31.2 million, representing 96 percent of the semiannual target of $32.5 million and 46 percent of annual projection of $68.2 million, were attained. There were no disbursements from program loans. The disbursement ratio of 9.2 percent was lower than the 17.0 percent as of 30 June 1998 and the Bankwide average of 11.9 percent. Net resource transfer was down from $61.7 million as of 30 June 1998 to $24.3 million as of 30 June 1999 due to low disbursements during the period. Audited project accounts and financial statements were due for 16 loans and were complied with for 13. The remaining three were delayed by less than six months. Of the 20 ongoing loans, environmental covenants were met for 3, were under implementation for 13, and were not applicable to the remaining 4. The social covenants were met for 3 ongoing loans and were under implementation for 11. They were not applicable to the remaining six. Tables 45 and 46 summarize the data for Nepal.  
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