Regional : Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative, Phase III

Sovereign Project | 46510-001

The Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI) Phase III will follow on and build on the successes, lessons learned, and strengths of PSDI Phases I and II. These technical assistance (TA) projects support the Pacific Approach 2010-2014 and Strategy 2020 of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and leverage ADB''s strategic focus on private sector development, with the objective of improving the business environment in Pacific developing member countries (DMCs).

The first two phases of PSDI focused on three core areas: (i) business law reform, (ii) improving access to financial services, and (iii) state-owned enterprise (SOE) and public-private partnership (PPP) reforms. The positive outcomes of the PSDI initiatives in these areas have led to growing demand for assistance and an expansion of focus into the areas of competition policy and the economic empowerment of women.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Bharat, Vimlesh Vikash
    Pacific Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Regional
  • Modality
  • Sector
    • Public sector management
Project Name Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative, Phase III
Project Number 46510-001
Country / Economy Regional
Project Status Closed
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 8378-REG: Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative, Phase III
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 2.00 million
Government of Australia US$ 24.00 million
New Zealand Cooperation Fund for Technical Assistance US$ 4.50 million
TA 8378-REG: Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative, Phase III (Supplementary)
Government of Australia US$ 8.08 million
TA 8378-REG: Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative, Phase III (Supplementary)
New Zealand Cooperation Fund for Technical Assistance US$ 410,000.00
Strategic Agendas Inclusive economic growth
Regional integration
Drivers of Change Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
Partnerships
Private sector development
Sector / Subsector

Finance / Finance sector development - Inclusive finance

Public sector management / Economic affairs management - Law and judiciary

Gender Gender equity theme
Description

The Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI) Phase III will follow on and build on the successes, lessons learned, and strengths of PSDI Phases I and II. These technical assistance (TA) projects support the Pacific Approach 2010-2014 and Strategy 2020 of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and leverage ADB''s strategic focus on private sector development, with the objective of improving the business environment in Pacific developing member countries (DMCs).

The first two phases of PSDI focused on three core areas: (i) business law reform, (ii) improving access to financial services, and (iii) state-owned enterprise (SOE) and public-private partnership (PPP) reforms. The positive outcomes of the PSDI initiatives in these areas have led to growing demand for assistance and an expansion of focus into the areas of competition policy and the economic empowerment of women.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

It is difficult and costly to do business in the Pacific. Firms have to deal with isolation and small market size. There are many reasons why it is costly to start and operate a business in the Pacific. Business laws are outdated and unsuited to the needs of modern commerce. Laws governing contracts are confusing and difficult to enforce, and complying with regulations is costly and difficult. It is also hard for successful growing businesses to obtain the financing necessary to expand. The financial sector is generally not well developed, and access to and knowledge about financial services and their use by customers is typically limited. Informal sectors are large and productivity is low. While foreign investors should be a source of capital and knowledge, many countries make it hard for them to start new businesses. Inefficient SOEs dominate infrastructure service delivery, resulting in unreliable and costly utilities and transport services, which add to the high cost of doing business. Public sector investment achieves rates of return that are either low or negative. Many Pacific DMCs have competition frameworks that are not strong enough to regulate monopolies, provide poor consumer protection. These constraints reduce private sector growth.

Women''s economic empowerment and economic development are closely interrelated. Limited economic opportunities for women result in higher opportunity cost in terms of foregone growth and poverty alleviation. Many barriers to women''s economic empowerment are systemic, being contained in outdated laws or exclusionary economic and cultural practices.

Impact

Sustained economic growth in Pacific DMCs that equitably increases incomes

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

An equitable business environment that encourages new business formation, and

increased domestic and foreign investments in Pacific DMCs

Progress Toward Outcome Implementation ongoing.
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Businesses and households in selected Pacific developing member countries have improved access to financial services.

Selected business laws in Pacific developing member countries promote inclusive business formation, investment, entrepreneurship, and trade.

Delivery of infrastructure services will be made more efficient and cost-effective.

Selected Pacific developing member countries governments establish a framework that promotes competition.

Successful pilot initiatives promoting the economic empowerment of women are implemented in selected Pacific developing member countries.

Strategic and knowledge management services are provided effectively.

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) Phase III of PSDI was launched operationally in May 2013 and a core team of private sector development experts has been recruited. Project management structures and systems already in place under the first two phases of PSDI continued for this phase.This TA adds to the work already completed and still underway through phases I and II, and leverages the analysis of private sector development issues previously developed. Additional financing of $8.08 million from the Government of Australia was approved on 30 June 2015 to support private sector reform priorities in Papua New Guinea. The Government of New Zealand provided additional resources of $410,000 on 18 June 2018 to support the implementation of the Cook Islands Company and Personal Property Securities Registry. As of fourth quarter 2019, there are 300 total initiatives being implemented in 14 Pacific developing member countries: 183 active initiatives, 37 pipeline initiatives, 44 completed initiatives and 36 on hold initiatives.
Geographical Location Regional
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design (i) Government officials from relevant government agencies and state-owned enterprises in PDMCs, including Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Enterprises;(ii) Private sector entities including chambers of commerce, women's groups, banking institutions;(iii) Civil society organizations including women's and community groups; and(iv) Development partners active in private sector development activities in Pacific including the IFC and other bilateral and multilateral development institutions/organizations.
During Project Implementation Same as during the project design with more frequent and in-depth consultations.
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services

Consultants will be engaged by ADB in accordance with the Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (2013, as amended from time to time).

Consultants with expertise in the following areas are being engaged: (i) economic analysis; (ii) business and market analysis; (iii) PSD strategies and policies; (iv) competition policies; (v) economic empowerment of women; (vi) institutional and organizational change; (vii) SOE reform; (viii) PPPs; (ix) business law reform; (x) regulatory reform; (xi) access to finance; (xii) branchless banking; (xiii) capacity development; (xiv) knowledge management and communication; (xv) monitoring and evaluation; and (xvi) flexible results-oriented innovative grant delivery, among others.

Procurement Procurement is being undertaken in accordance with ADB's Procurement Guidelines (2013, as amended from time to time).
Responsible ADB Officer Bharat, Vimlesh Vikash
Responsible ADB Department Pacific Department
Responsible ADB Division Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office in Sydney, Australia (PLCO)
Executing Agencies
Asian Development Bank
Timetable
Concept Clearance 16 Apr 2013
Fact Finding -
MRM -
Approval 06 Jun 2013
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 07 Nov 2019

TA 8378-REG

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
06 Jun 2013 - 06 Jun 2013 31 May 2019 31 Dec 2019 01 Jul 2020
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
2,000,000.00 36,990,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 38,990,000.00 17 Jun 2022 31,151,186.41

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
Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative, Phase III Technical Assistance Reports May 2013
Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative, Phase III: Major Change in Technical Assistance TA Change in Scope, Amount, and Implementation Arrangements May 2015
Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative, Phase III: Technical Assistance Completion Report TA Completion Reports Dec 2020

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

Title Document Type Document Date
Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative Technical Assistance Performance Evaluation Reports Feb 2018

Related Publications

Title Document Type Document Date
Breaking Down the Barriers to Business in the Pacific: Private Sector Reform Stories Brochures and Flyers Jan 2011
Building a Dynamic Pacific Economy: Strengthening the Private Sector in Papua New Guinea Country Planning Documents May 2015
Business Law Reform Brochures and Flyers Dec 2016
Case Studies in Private Sector Participation: Franchise Shipping Papers and Briefs Feb 2017
Case Studies in Private Sector Participation: Solid Waste Management Papers and Briefs Feb 2017
Case Studies in Private Sector Participation: Water Supply Services Papers and Briefs Feb 2017
Continuing Reform to Promote Growth: Update of the Private Sector Assessment for Tonga Country Planning Documents Jun 2012
Continuing Reforms to Stimulate Private Sector Investment: A Private Sector Assessment for Solomon Islands Country Planning Documents May 2016
Creating Jobs in Samoa Through Public-Private Sector Partnerships Papers and Briefs Nov 2016
Credit Guarantees: Challenging Their Role in Improving Access to Finance in the Pacific Region Reports Nov 2016
Digital Financial Services in the Pacific: Experiences and Regulatory Issues Reports Mar 2016
Economic Empowerment of Women Brochures and Flyers Dec 2016
Empowering the Other Half: Women and Private Sector Growth in the Pacific Brochures and Flyers Dec 2015
Financing Growth Brochures and Flyers Dec 2016
Finding Balance 2011: Benchmarking the Performance of State-Owned Enterprises in Fiji, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Tonga Books Mar 2011
Finding Balance 2014: Benchmarking the Performance of State-Owned Enterprises in Island Countries Reports Aug 2014
Finding Balance 2016: Benchmarking the Performance of State-Owned Enterprises in Island Countries Reports Sep 2016
Finding Balance 2019: Benchmarking the Performance of State-Owned Banks in the Pacific Reports Aug 2019
Finding Balance: Benchmarking the Performance of State-Owned Enterprises in Papua New Guinea Books Sep 2012
Finding Balance: Making State-Owned Enterprises Work in Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga Books Feb 2009
Foundation for the Future: A Private Sector Assessment for Papua New Guinea Country Planning Documents Jun 2008
Growing the Non-Oil Economy: A Private Sector Assessment for Timor-Leste Country Planning Documents Jul 2015
Impact Stories from the Pacific Region - Breaking Down the Barriers to Business: More Private Sector Reform Stories Brochures and Flyers Jul 2012
Pacific Private Sector Development (PSDI) Initiative Brochure Brochures and Flyers Dec 2016
Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative: Progress Report 2013–2014 Statutory Reports and Official Records Dec 2014
Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative: Progress Report 2014-2015 Statutory Reports and Official Records Feb 2016
Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative: Progress Report 2015-2016 Statutory Reports and Official Records Mar 2017
Palau: Policies for Sustainable Growth, A Private Sector Assessment Country Planning Documents Jul 2011
Private Sector Assessment for Solomon Islands Country Planning Documents Jul 2005
Promise Unfulfilled: Private Sector Assessment for Fiji Country Planning Documents Jul 2005
Re-invigorating Private Sector Investment: A Private Sector Assessment for Fiji Country Planning Documents Jun 2013
Reform Renewed: A Private Sector Assessment for Samoa Country Planning Documents Oct 2015
Reforming State-Owned Enterprises Brochures and Flyers Dec 2016
Samoa: Consolidating Reform for Faster Economic Growth Country Planning Documents Jun 2008
Securing Sustainability: Nauru’s New Intergenerational Trust Fund and Beyond Papers and Briefs Feb 2017
Sustaining Growth: A Private Sector Assessment for Vanuatu Country Planning Documents Jun 2009
Swimming Against the Tide? An Assessment of the Private Sector in the Pacific Serials Jan 2004
The Cook Islands: Stronger Investment Climate for Sustainable Growth Country Planning Documents Oct 2015
Together We Deliver: 10 Stories from ADB-Supported Projects with Clear Development Impacts Books Apr 2014
Tourism as a Driver of Growth in the Pacific Papers and Briefs Jun 2018
Transforming Tonga: A Private Sector Assessment Country Planning Documents Dec 2008
Unlocking Finance for Growth: Secured Transactions Reform in Pacific Island Economies Reports Sep 2014
Women and Business in the Pacific Books Aug 2018

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.

  • 02 Nov 2018 | Video

    Papua New Guinea's Drive For Long-Term Economic Growth

    Papua New Guinea needs a diverse economy and an enabling business environment to support long-term growth. ADB investments in the country supports private sector activities and economic productivity.
  • 01 Dec 2016 | Project Result / Case Study

    New Way to Lend and Borrow in Papua New Guinea

    Reforms that will expand the use of moveable property, such as vehicles and crops, as collateral could transform the way small businesses and lenders operate in Papua New Guinea.
  • 04 Mar 2016 | Project Result / Case Study

    Unlocking the Economic Potential of Women in the Pacific

    Doing business in the Pacific is hard, but it’s a lot harder for women. Fortunately, sweeping reforms across the Pacific are creating an enabling environment for business and opening up opportunities for women.
  • 30 Jun 2014 | Project Result / Case Study

    Making It Easier to Do Business in the Pacific

    It is now easier to register a business in many Pacific island countries following a successful pilot program in the Solomon Islands.

Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
Agriculture / Agribusiness Expert (Comparative Advantage Analysis) Individual - Consulting Closed
Business Law Reform Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Capacity Building, Private Sector, and Gender Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Capacity Building, Private Sector, and Gender Expert - Pilot Initiative Member Individual - Consulting Closed
CLOUD HOSTING EXPERT Individual - Consulting Closed
Communications Assistant Individual - Consulting Closed
Communications Assistant Individual - Consulting Closed
Company, Incorporated Societies and Personal Property Securities Electronic Registry- Cook Islands Firm - Consulting Closed
Competition Policy and Law Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Competition Policy and Law Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Digital Finance Law and Regulation Individual - Consulting Closed
Financial Sector Development Research Assistant Individual - Consulting Closed
Graphic Designer Individual - Consulting Closed
Impact Evaluation Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Movable Assets Finance Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Personal Property Securities Registry for Reserve Bank of Fiji Firm - Consulting Closed
Private Sector Development Analyst Individual - Consulting Closed
Private Sector Development Coordinator (PNG) Individual - Consulting Closed
Private Sector Development Policy Advisor Individual - Consulting Closed
Publications Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Registry Administrative Officer Individual - Consulting Closed
Water and Wastewater Sector Expert Individual - Consulting Closed

Contracts Awarded

Contract Title Approval Number Contract Date Contractor | Address Executing Agency Total Contract Amount (US$) Contract Amount Financed by ADB (US$)
Policy and Advisory Technical Assistance 8378 02 Mar 2016 Foster Moore (New Zealand) | LEVEL 6 DURHAM HOUSE 22 DURHAM STREET WE D, NEW ZEALAND REMUERA, NEW ZEALAND 1050 Asian Development Bank 195,650.00
Policy and Advisory Technical Assistance 8378 08 Jun 2015 Foster Moore (New Zealand) | Level 6, Durham House, 22 Durham Street, WE D, Remuera, New Zealand 1050 Asian Development Bank 376,155.00
Policy and Advisory Technical Assistance 8378 18 Sep 2018 Paradigm Applications LLC (PA)(UNITED STATES) | 4214 Orange Grove Avenue Sacramento, CA ed States Asian Development Bank 280,289.00
Policy and Advisory Technical Assistance 8378 18 Sep 2018 Paradigm Applications LLC (PA)(UNITED STATES) | 4214 Orange Grove Avenue Sacramento, CA ed States Asian Development Bank 280,289.00

Procurement Plan

None currently available.