Regional : Pacific Information and Communication Technology Investment Planning and Capacity Development Facility- Phase 2

Sovereign Project | 50409-001

The proposed knowledge and support technical assistance (TA) will address requests from several Pacific country governments seeking to strengthen their information and communication (ICT) capacities. The TA will support (i) advancing ICT policy and regulatory frameworks, (ii) ICT applications development, and (iii) adaptation of technology innovations and protection against cyber-crime. The initiative is a continuation of a similar TA program which successfully and efficiently addressed ICT infrastructure-related challenges for submarine cable projects.

The TA is included in the Pacific 2016-2018 Regional Operations Business Plan (ROBP) which outlines ICT applications for development of ICT-enabled services as key area of assistance. It is also listed in the current ROBP 2017-2019.

Project Name Pacific Information and Communication Technology Investment Planning and Capacity Development Facility- Phase 2
Project Number 50409-001
Country / Economy Regional
Cook Islands
Fiji
Micronesia, Federated States of
Kiribati
Nauru
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Marshall Islands
Samoa
Tonga
Vanuatu
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 0024-REG: Pacific ICT Investment Planning and Capacity Development Facility - Phase 2
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 1.00 million
Strategic Agendas Environmentally sustainable growth
Inclusive economic growth
Regional integration
Drivers of Change Governance and capacity development
Knowledge solutions
Partnerships
Private sector development
Sector / Subsector

Information and communication technology / ICT industries and ICT-enabled services - ICT strategy and policy, and capacity development

Gender No gender elements
Description

The proposed knowledge and support technical assistance (TA) will address requests from several Pacific country governments seeking to strengthen their information and communication (ICT) capacities. The TA will support (i) advancing ICT policy and regulatory frameworks, (ii) ICT applications development, and (iii) adaptation of technology innovations and protection against cyber-crime. The initiative is a continuation of a similar TA program which successfully and efficiently addressed ICT infrastructure-related challenges for submarine cable projects.

The TA is included in the Pacific 2016-2018 Regional Operations Business Plan (ROBP) which outlines ICT applications for development of ICT-enabled services as key area of assistance. It is also listed in the current ROBP 2017-2019.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

The development of the ICT sector in the Pacific has come a long way in the last 10 years. The region is on an ICT adaptation path, and has overcome the initial hurdle of setting up effective infrastructure systems for the next phase of ICT engagements.

While previously ICT adaptation was inhibited by limited quality of service and high costs of internet services, penetration rates have improved with the introduction of O3B 's low orbiting satellite services and submarine cable systems, providing greater and more reliable bandwidths at lower costs. As private sector investments were difficult to attract due to small market sizes and lack of financial feasibility, a number of countries relied on development partners including ADB and the World Bank to support their fiber optic cable projects.

With broadband infrastructure in place or expected to be in place in next five years, Pacific islands have to manage the changes involved in adapting technological advances. ICT policy and regulatory frameworks in most countries are at a nascent stage, if at all established, and require further support in order to mature. While isolated progress has been made in the adaptation of ICT applications recently, general utilization of services is often limited to casual end-users and basic communications, impeding progress on a larger scale. At the same time, the region is making efforts to achieve its development goals in other sectors like health, education and private sector development, while struggling with geographic remoteness and lack of access to economic markets abroad.

The TA seeks to ensure that the region receives support for essential ICT adaptations to tackle the issues described, and achieve its development outcomes more effectively.

Impact

Access to ICT increased (ADB Pacific Approach, 20162020)

Access to ICT applications for public service delivery improved

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Cross-sectoral service delivery through useof ICT innovations improved

Progress Toward Outcome
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

ICT policy and regulatory framework supported

Development of ICT applications supported

Adoption of technology innovations and protection against cybercrime supported

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)
Geographical Location Cook Islands - Nation-wide; Fiji - Nation-wide; Kiribati - Nation-wide; Marshall Islands - Nation-wide; Micronesia, Federated States of - Nation-wide; Nauru - Nation-wide; Palau - Nation-wide; Papua New Guinea - Nation-wide; Samoa - Nation-wide; Tonga - Nation-wide; Vanuatu - Nation-wide
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design
During Project Implementation The subproject was approved on 16 March 2018.
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services ADB will administer the TA cluster and will be responsible for consultant recruitment and procurement, in close consultation with the participating governments. ADB will seek concurrence from the participating governments for the recruitment of consultants. The government counterpart in each country will assist ADB in identifying the TA implementing agencies based on the scope of the requests. The implementing agency in each participating country, together with the consultants, will implement the TA.
Procurement ADB will administer the TA cluster and will be responsible for consultant recruitment and procurement, in close consultation with the participating governments. ADB will seek concurrence from the participating governments for the recruitment of consultants. The government counterpart in each country will assist ADB in identifying the TA implementing agencies based on the scope of the requests.
Responsible ADB Officer Nicholls, Peter F.
Responsible ADB Department Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department
Responsible ADB Division Digital Technology for Development Division (CCDT)
Executing Agencies
Asian Development Bank
Timetable
Concept Clearance 14 Aug 2017
Fact Finding 05 Jun 2017 to 09 Jun 2017
MRM -
Approval 12 Sep 2017
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 11 May 2023

TA 0024-REG

Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
1,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,000,000.00 - 0.00

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.

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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

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Related Publications

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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.

Tenders

No tenders for this project were found.

Contracts Awarded

No contracts awarded for this project were found

Procurement Plan

None currently available.