Regional : Strengthening the Implementation of Regional Cooperation and Integration Initiatives of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

Sovereign Project | 53409-001

The TA aims to support the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and its eight member states in catalyzing and implementing policies and measures directed at increasing integration levels in and reinforcing the growth momentum of the region.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Li, Dongxiang
    South Asia Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Regional
  • Sector
    • Industry and trade
Project Name Strengthening the Implementation of Regional Cooperation and Integration Initiatives of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
Project Number 53409-001
Country / Economy Regional
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 6528-REG: Strengthening the Implementation of Regional Cooperation and Integration Initiatives of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 300,000.00
Regional Cooperation and Integration Fund US$ 500,000.00
Operational Priorities OP1: Addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities
OP2: Accelerating progress in gender equality
OP6: Strengthening governance and institutional capacity
OP7: Fostering regional cooperation and integration
Sector / Subsector

Industry and trade / Industry and trade sector development - Trade and services

Public sector management / Public administration

Transport / Transport policies and institutional development
Gender Some gender elements
Description The TA aims to support the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and its eight member states in catalyzing and implementing policies and measures directed at increasing integration levels in and reinforcing the growth momentum of the region.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy While SAARC has scored some successes on regional cooperation and integration, there are still notable challenges that impede the achievement of the full potential of RCI in the region.
Impact

Regional cooperation and integration among member states of SAARC increased
Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Implementation of RCI initiatives in SAARC enhanced
Progress Toward Outcome Analytical studies on trade and transport have commenced.
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Analytical studies on priority regional development issues produced

Capacity building, knowledge sharing, and policy dialogues organized
Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

-Under Output 1, consultants for the studies on trade and transport have been engaged. The study on trade will focus on harmonization of 8-digit HS tariff lines and harmonization of customs tariff of those 8-digit HS tariff lines in SAARC Countries. The study on transport will focus on updating the SAARC Regional Multimodal Transport Study (SRMTS).

-The third study is relating to climate change on reviewing the implementation status of the Thimphu Statement on Climate Change (TSCC). ADB is in the process of appointing a consultant for this study.

-The fourth study is on contextualization of Sustainable Development Goals in SAARC and to revisit the SAARC Plan of Action on Poverty Alleviation. ADB is finalizing the terms of reference of this study in consultation with the SAARC Secretariat.

-Under Output 2, there will be review of status of implementation of the prioritized recommendations of the Study on Regional Economic Integration (Phase-II), organization of the Informal Meeting of SAARC Finance Ministers on the sidelines of the Annual Meeting of ADB, and other policy dialogues, knowledge sharing and capacity building activities.
Geographical Location Afghanistan - Nation-wide; Bangladesh - Nation-wide; Bhutan - Nation-wide; India - Nation-wide; Maldives - Nation-wide; Nepal - Nation-wide; Pakistan - Nation-wide; Sri Lanka - 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
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services ADB will engage a number of individual consultants for the implementation of TA activities. ADB will engage consultants following the ADB Procurement Policy (2017, as amended from time to time) and its associated project administration instructions and/or staff instructions
Procurement The TA will use request for quotations to procure computers, software, and small office equipment.
Responsible ADB Officer Li, Dongxiang
Responsible ADB Department South Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Div, SARD
Executing Agencies
Asian Development Bank
Timetable
Concept Clearance 13 Feb 2020
Fact Finding 22 May 2020 to 22 May 2020
MRM -
Approval 29 Jun 2020
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 06 Sep 2022

TA 6528-REG

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
29 Jun 2020 - 29 Jun 2020 31 May 2022 31 May 2024 -
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
800,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 800,000.00 18 Jul 2022 229,832.97

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None currently available.

Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

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Related Publications

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Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
Climate Change Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed

Contracts Awarded

No contracts awarded for this project were found

Procurement Plan

None currently available.