Regional : Development Partnership Program for South Asia

Sovereign Project | 40124-012

Under the proposed Program, South Asia will undertake necessary reforms to address key development challenges in order to attain equitable broad-based growth. Expected outcomes are innovative approaches in addressing the key development challenges in South asia, which will be implemented and disseminated within the region and to other Asian countries. Furthermore, in line with the ongoing Innovation and Efficiency Initiative, the proposed umbrella approach is expected to improve operational efficiency in providing development assistance services to the DMCs in South Asia by focusing more on the quality of ADB services to address the above-mentioned development challenges in South Asia, rather than on associated paper preparation. It may also contribute to some reduction in the number of TAs during the next 5 years.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Bhatta, Gambhir
    South Asia Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Regional
  • Modality
  • Sector
    • Education
Project Name Development Partnership Program for South Asia
Project Number 40124-012
Country / Economy Regional
Project Status Closed
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 6337-REG: Development Partnership Program for South Asia
Government of Australia US$ 8.50 million
TA 6337-REG: Development Partnership Program for South Asia (Supplementary)
Norwegian Grant (w/ LoA) US$ 300,000.00
A.T.F. - Swedish T.A. Grant US$ 288,000.00
TA 6337-REG: Development Partnership Program for South Asia
Government of Australia US$ 3.16 million
TA 6337-REG: Development Partnership Program for South Asia (Supplementary)
Government of Australia US$ 453,000.00
Strategic Agendas Inclusive economic growth
Regional integration
Drivers of Change Governance and capacity development
Partnerships
Sector / Subsector

Education / Education sector development - Technical and vocational education and training - Tertiary

Public sector management / Economic affairs management

Gender
Description Under the proposed Program, South Asia will undertake necessary reforms to address key development challenges in order to attain equitable broad-based growth. Expected outcomes are innovative approaches in addressing the key development challenges in South asia, which will be implemented and disseminated within the region and to other Asian countries. Furthermore, in line with the ongoing Innovation and Efficiency Initiative, the proposed umbrella approach is expected to improve operational efficiency in providing development assistance services to the DMCs in South Asia by focusing more on the quality of ADB services to address the above-mentioned development challenges in South Asia, rather than on associated paper preparation. It may also contribute to some reduction in the number of TAs during the next 5 years.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

All subprojects are consistent with the ADB Strategy 2020, the South Asia Regional Cooperation Strategy and Program (2006-2008), and the respective country strategies and priorities as elaborated in the Country Partnership and Strategy and al other country planning and strategy documents.

Impact
Project Outcome
Description of Outcome
Progress Toward Outcome

The initial contribution amounted to $8.5 (equivalent to A$11 million) which was provided over a period of five years (from 2006 to 2011). In April 2012, AusAID provided an additional funding of $3.155 (equivalent to A$3 million) bringing the total grant amount to about $11.655 million. The additional financing will maintain the momentum and maximize the impact and sustainability of the assistance provided to date under the facility and enhance the visibility of the AusAID-ADB partnership. Expected completion date of the RETA is on 30 June 2014.

The RETA has financed 27 subprojects of which 12 have been completed. The remaining 15 subprojects in the portfolio are at various stages of implementation, with six subprojects having been approved only in September and October 2012. There is strong evidence from the 12 completed and 15 ongoing subprojects of the results and outputs contributing to the expected outcome and impact of the RETA. Selected outcomes for which evidence is available include: (i) enhanced good governance and improved financial management systems (Bhutan and Maldives); (ii) strengthened capacity of executing agencies to reduce corruption and mismanagement of resources (Bhutan); (iii)improved service delivery (Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka); (iv) improved enterprise registration, licensing and clearance for business start-ups (Bhutan); and (v) policy options for increased inter and intraregional trade (South Asia). Outcomes are also expected in terms of wider adoption of compost based municipal solid waste management across the region, development of women's enterprises (Bangladesh), and enhanced capacity of policy makers to integrate innovative approaches in preparing long term plans in the education sector (South Asia). A concrete statement on project outcomes and impacts can, however, only be made after the subprojects are completed and a reasonable period to generate expected impacts has elapsed.

Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs
Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

All the subprojects financed under the facility have clear objectives and outputs related to good governance (8), RCI (5), inclusive growth (5), urban infrastructure and service delivery (4), human resources and development (3), and climate change resilience and green growth (2).

Innovative intervention has been the most broadly supported of four output types under the facility, both in terms of the number of subprojects (19) and the total approved amount (US$9.7 million) of the subprojects in which it has played a part. This reflects the original intent and agreement to encourage innovative proposals between ADB and AusAID during the establishment of the facility and the design of the RETA.

The RETA is surpassing its original output targets by (i) implementing 19 innovative projects, against a target of 10; (ii) completing four strategic regional conferences (target: 2); and (iii) conducting more than 10 information projects, against a target of 10; (ii) completing four strategic regional conferences (target: 2); and (iii) conducting more than 10 information dissemination workshops, compared with a target of 2. So far, it has completed three targeted assessments with additional three expected from the recently approved subprojects (target: 5). Several strategic regional conferences and information dissemination workshops are planned under the six recently approved subprojects, thus, exceeding the original targets.

A regional workshop was organized and held on 10-11 November 2014 in Manila.

Ongoing financial closure.

Geographical Location Regional
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design
During Project Implementation

In March 2012, AusAID and ADB embarked on their first joint review of subprojects financed under the facility as part of strengthening the results monitoring, and to provide better analysis of the causes of subproject success or failure. The team reviewed 10 subprojects in Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka and met with government officials and counterparts, stakeholders, and beneficiaries. The subprojects were at various levels of implementation progress and spread across the five priority areas. This joint review was both retrospective and prospective because the findings from the field and feedback from the meetings are informing both ADB and AusAID in engaging with the participating countires and planning for future portfolio of initiatives. Both institutions agreed to undertake at least one joint review per year. Also, high level consultations between AusAID and ADB take place annually.

Business Opportunities
Consulting Services Consulting services yet to be determined.
Responsible ADB Officer Bhatta, Gambhir
Responsible ADB Department South Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Div, SARD
Executing Agencies
Asian Development Bank
Timetable
Concept Clearance 15 May 2006
Fact Finding -
MRM -
Approval 18 Aug 2006
Last Review Mission -
PDS Creation Date 18 May 2007
Last PDS Update 11 Sep 2015

TA 6337-REG

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
18 Aug 2006 - 18 Aug 2006 31 Aug 2012 28 Feb 2015 17 Sep 2015
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
0.00 12,696,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12,696,000.00 17 Jun 2022 12,701,113.72

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Title Document Type Document Date
Proposed Technical Assistance for the Development Partnership Program for South Asia Technical Assistance Reports Jul 2006
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Study on Intraregional Trade and Investment in South Asia Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Nov 2006
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Support for Anticorruption and Good Governance at Local Level in Bhutan: Subproject Report Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Nov 2006
Capacity Building for Introducing Regulatory Impact Assessment (Bhutan) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Jul 2007
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Annual Progress Report on the Australia-ADB South Asia Development Partnership Facility (July 2006-June 2007) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Jul 2007
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Rural Development Projects Review (Pakistan): Subproject Report Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Jul 2007
Clustered Cities Development: Innovative Interventions in South Asia Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Nov 2007
Strengthening of Conflict Sensitivity and Governance in Sri Lanka Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Nov 2007
Development Partnership Program for South Asia Increase in Technical Assistance Budget Amount (Cofinanced by the Governments of Norway and Sweden) TA Change in Scope, Amount, and Implementation Arrangements Feb 2008
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Semi-Annual Progress Report on the Australia-ADB South Asia Development Partnership Facility (July-December 2007) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Apr 2008
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Semi-Annual Progress Report on the Australia-ADB South Asia Development Partnership Facility (January-June 2008) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Aug 2008
Gender-Responsive Decentralized Governance in Nepal Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Oct 2008
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Annual Progress Report on the Australia-ADB South Asia Development Partnership Facility (January-December 2008) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Mar 2009
Mid-term Review of the Australia-ADB South Asia Development Partnership Facility and RETA 6337: Development Partnership Program for South Asia Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Feb 2010
Regional Economics of Climate Change in South Asia Part I: Cleaner Technologies and Options: Subproject Report Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Mar 2010
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Support for Anticorruption and Good Governance at the Local level (Subproject 1 Performance Monitoring Report) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Jun 2010
Best Practices for Municipal Solid Waste Management in South Asia: A New Knowledge Product: Subproject Report Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Jul 2010
Promoting Women's Entrepreneurship in Bangladesh Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Sep 2010
Operationalizing City Cluster Economic Development (CCED) in Sri Lanka: Subproject Report Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Dec 2010
Bhutan Country Diagnostic Study: Subproject Report Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Dec 2010
Innovative Strategies in Technical and Higher Education for Accelerated Human Resource Development in South Asia: Subproject Report Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Dec 2010
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Country Diagnostic Study of Bhutan (Subproject 17 Performance Monitoring Report) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Feb 2011
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Best Practices for Municipal Solid Waste Management in South Asia: A New Knowledge Product (Subproject 9 Performance Monitoring Report) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Feb 2011
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Enhanced Gender Capacity of Executing and Implementing Agencies (Subproject 15 Performance Monitoring Report) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Feb 2011
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Strengthening of Conflict Sensitivity and Governance in Sri Lanka (Subproject 6 Performance Monitoring Report) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Feb 2011
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Promoting Women Entrepreneurship in Bangladesh (Subproject 12 Performance Monitoring Report) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Feb 2011
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Study on Intraregional Trade and Investment in South Asia (Subproject Completion Report) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Feb 2011
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Support for Anticorruption and Good Governance at the Local Level in Bhutan (Subproject 1 Performance Monitoring Report) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Feb 2011
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Regional Economics of Climate Change Part I - Cleaner Technologies and Options (Subproject 10 Performance Monitoring Report) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Feb 2011
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Operationalizing City Cluster Economic Development in Sri Lanka (Subproject 16 Performance Monitoring Report) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Feb 2011
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Gender-Responsive Decentralized Governance in Asia (Subproject 8 Performance Monitoring Report) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Feb 2011
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Enhancing Local Governance in Nepal (Subproject 13 Performance Monitoring Report) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Feb 2011
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Capacity Building for Introducing Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) (Subproject 5 Performance Monitoring Report) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Feb 2011
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Innovative Strategies for Accelerated Human Resource Development in South Asia (Subproject 11 Performance Monitoring Report) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Feb 2011
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Annual Progress Report on the Australia-ADB South Asia Development Partnership Facility (January-December 2010) Documents Produced Under Grant/Loans/TA Mar 2011
Development Partnership Program for South Asia: Technical Assistance Completion Report TA Completion Reports May 2016

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.


Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.


Related Publications

Title Document Type Document Date
Study on Intraregional Trade and Investment in South Asia Reports Nov 2009
Toward Sustainable Municipal Organic Waste Management in South Asia Books Sep 2011
Competitive Cities in the 21st Century: Cluster-Based Local Economic Development Books Oct 2011
Annual Progress Report on the Australia-ADB South Asia Development Partnership Facility (January-December 2011) Statutory Reports and Official Records Apr 2012
Bhutan Transport 2040: Integrated Strategic Vision Reports Jun 2013
Innovative Strategies in Higher Education for Accelerated Human Resource Development in South Asia Reports Jan 2014
20th by 2020: Bhutan’s Drive for Improved Governance Books Sep 2014
Annual Progress Report on the Australia-ADB South Asia Development Partnership Facility (January-December 2013) Statutory Reports and Official Records Nov 2014
Innovative Strategies in Technical and Vocational Education and Training for Accelerated Human Resource Development in South Asia: Sri Lanka Reports Nov 2015
Innovative Strategies in Technical and Vocational Education and Training for Accelerated Human Resource Development in South Asia: Nepal Reports Nov 2015
Human Capital Development in the People’s Republic of China and India: Achievements, Prospects, and Policy Challenges Reports Dec 2015
Innovative Strategies in Higher Education for Accelerated Human Resource Development in South Asia: Bangladesh Reports Dec 2015
Innovative Strategies in Higher Education for Accelerated Human Resource Development in South Asia: Nepal Reports Jan 2016
Innovative Strategies in Higher Education for Accelerated Human Resource Development in South Asia: Sri Lanka Reports Jun 2016

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

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Procurement Plan

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