Regional : Policy Advice for COVID-19 Economic Recovery in Southeast Asia

Sovereign Project | 54219-001

The TA will support the implementation of the COVID-19 Countercyclical Pandemic Response Option loans, as well as guide developing member countries (DMCs) in Southeast Asia to bounce back in their economic performance to pre-COVID-19 levels. Experts will be engaged to help DMCs prepare recovery and transformation plans.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Rush, Jason M.
    Southeast Asia Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Regional
  • Sector
    • Public sector management
Project Name Policy Advice for COVID-19 Economic Recovery in Southeast Asia
Project Number 54219-001
Country / Economy Regional
Cambodia
Indonesia
Myanmar
Philippines
Thailand
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 9964-REG: Policy Advice for COVID-19 Economic Recovery (PACER) in Southeast Asia
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 5.00 million
TA 9964-REG: Policy Advice for COVID-19 Economic Recovery in Southeast Asia
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 1.00 million
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
Strategic Agendas Inclusive economic growth
Regional integration
Drivers of Change Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
Governance and capacity development
Knowledge solutions
Partnerships
Private sector development
Sector / Subsector

Finance / Banking systems and nonbank financial institutions - Finance sector development

Industry and trade / Industry and trade sector development - Small and medium enterprise development

Public sector management / Economic affairs management - Public expenditure and fiscal management - Social protection initiatives

Gender Equity and Mainstreaming Effective gender mainstreaming
Description The TA will support the implementation of the COVID-19 Countercyclical Pandemic Response Option loans, as well as guide developing member countries (DMCs) in Southeast Asia to bounce back in their economic performance to pre-COVID-19 levels. Experts will be engaged to help DMCs prepare recovery and transformation plans.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy The TA aims to enhance capacity of Southeast Asian DMCs to design and implement comprehensive policy responses to support economic recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak. The TA will have special focus on protecting the poor and vulnerable with due regard for gender considerations and promoting RCI.
Impact

Southeast Asian DMCs' bounce back in their economic performance to pre-COVID-19 levels achieved

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Capacity of Southeast Asian DMCs to design and implement comprehensive policy responses to support inclusive economic recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak enhanced

Progress Toward Outcome
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Support for effective implementation of CPRO loans provided

Incisive assessments and analysis undertaken of the impact of COVID-19 and the policy measures

Policy consultations with senior officials held to guide the formulation of recovery and transformational strategies and plans

Recovery and transformational strategies and action plans formulated

RCI implications and knowledge sharing among Southeast Asian countries distilled

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) Under Output 1, country teams have completed eleven (11) quarterly progress reports on the implementation of the country engagement frameworks for the CARES program. For Output 2, a firm, Alphabeta (Sg) Pte Ltd Singapore, was engaged to assess the impact of COVID-19 focusing on thematic issues common across countries in Southeast Asia, i.e., post-COVID-19 recovery strategies, domestic resource mobilization, green recovery and application of big data and new technologies. Based on the Alphabeta report, four policy briefs were prepared. Under Outputs 3 and 4, the following activities were completed: (i)ADB convened on 9 June 2020 a panel of high-level health experts, economists, social policy experts, finance professionals and government policy makers for a dialogue on near-term policy challenges and recovery strategies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Southeast Asia. A follow-on meeting was held to further discuss measures to support the Philippine Government's recovery efforts; (ii) Experts from the University of Chicago and Quantitative Health Group LLC were engaged to develop an epidemiological and serological testing model of COVID-19 in Indonesia. The model aims to guide policy makers on the appropriate suppression policy (adaptive control) to implement and incorporate key considerations on vaccination policy; (iii). Findings from the AlphaBeta report were disseminated through thematic discussions with experts and country consultation in the first quarter of 2021. The TA supported the Southeast Asia Development Symposium in March 2021 and March 2022. Deep dive workshops on various topics were conducted during the Southeast Asia Development Symposium. The TA is supporting various country initiatives as part of Outputs 2-4. Among these are: CAM: Review of Household Welfare and Social Assistance; Gender-impact Assessment. conduct of two surveys to determine impact of COVID-19 on gender, and on households (with UNICEF) to determine gaps in social assistance and develop policies/strategies for long-term protection. INO: Adaptive Control and Preparation for Vaccine Deployment. An epidemiological and serological testing model of COVID-19 was developed for INO. The model was used to guide policy makers on the appropriate suppression policy (adaptive control) to implement and incorporate key considerations on vaccination policy; PHI: Philippine Identification System; Strengthening Public Institutions. The TA assists in establishing a single national identification system for improved targeting and delivery of public services, and foster financial inclusion. The TA will support in-depth reviews of the government's organizational structure to strengthen institutional capacities amid post-pandemic structural shifts in employment, trade, or investment landscape. THA: Technical support to enhance impact assessment model of household debt to formulate a sound policy response. A study to support tourism sector is also to commence soon. For output 5, three experts were engaged to examine the implications of COVID-19 on regional cooperation and integration. The TA also supported the publication of the report on "Southeast Asia Rising from the Pandemic". A study on global value chains and Strategic Approach to Regional Cooperation and Integration for Green Recovery and Resilience in ASEAN are ongoing . A study on Narrowing Development Gap is expected to commence soon.
Geographical Location Cambodia - Nation-wide; Indonesia - Nation-wide; Myanmar - Nation-wide; Philippines - Nation-wide; Thailand - 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 ADB consults regularly with various government offices or agencies in assessing areas for assistance to help the government formulate or implement policies or measures in response to COVID-19.
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services

Consulting firm or firms,

About 13 International experts, 52 person-months

About 10 National experts, 68 person-months

Responsible ADB Officer Rush, Jason M.
Responsible ADB Department Southeast Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Div, SERD
Executing Agencies
Asian Development Bank
Timetable
Concept Clearance -
Fact Finding 17 Apr 2020 to 17 Apr 2020
MRM -
Approval 24 Apr 2020
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 31 Mar 2022

TA 9964-REG

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
24 Apr 2020 - 24 Apr 2020 31 Dec 2021 31 Dec 2023 -
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
6,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 6,000,000.00 10 Sep 2022 3,458,544.06

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
Policy Advice for COVID-19 Economic Recovery in Southeast Asia: Technical Assistance Report Technical Assistance Reports Apr 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

None currently available.


Related Publications


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

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
Health Data System Specialist Individual - Consulting Active
Data Analyst on Public Health Policy 1 Individual - Consulting Closed
Data Analyst on Public Health Policy 2 Individual - Consulting Closed
Health Monitoring Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Health Finance Reform Manager Individual - Consulting Closed
Digital Career Platform Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Higher Education Reform Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Tertiary Education Organization and Management Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
National Education Technology Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Educational Technology and Business Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
National Technology, Blockchain and Business Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Fiscal Management, Tax Expert- Philippine Development Plan Individual - Consulting Closed
TA 9964 - INO Cyber Education Institute - Tertiary Education Organization and Management Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
TA 9964 - INO Cyber Education Institute - Technology, Blockchain and Business Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
TA 9964 - INO Cyber Education Institute - Higher Education Reform Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
TA 9964 - INO Cyber Education Institute - Educational Technology and Business Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
TA 9964- INO Cyber Education Institute - Education Technology Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
TA 9964-INO Cyber Education Institute - Digital Career Platform Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
#5 Workshop on Strengthening GVC Participation and Resilience in Southeast Asia Individual - Consulting Closed
THAILAND: International Monitoring and Reporting Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Evaluation Specialist: Cambodia COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support Program Individual - Consulting Closed
Short-term Rental Policy Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Knowledge Sharing Specialist (knowledge content) Individual - Consulting Closed
Knowledge Sharing Specialist (strategy and reporting) Individual - Consulting Closed
CPRO/CARES (National - Thailand) Individual - Consulting Closed
Knowledge Sharing Expert (website management) Individual - Consulting Closed
PHI: Optimal Philippine Government Institutional and Governance Structure Firm - Consulting Closed
De Carbonisation and Global Value Chain in Southeast Asia Individual - Consulting Closed
CAM-IDPoor program Firm - Consulting Closed
CAM-IDPoor program Firm - Consulting Closed
Governance Expert, Lead Consultant-Optimal Philippine Government Organizational Structure Individual - Consulting Closed
Research Assistant, Optimal Philippine Government Organizational Structure Individual - Consulting Closed
Poverty Thresholds in ASEAN Individual - Consulting Closed
CAM: HH Survey Program-Statistician/Economist Individual - Consulting Closed
PHI-Special Holding Company (Management Consulting Firm: Corporate Organization and Structure) Firm - Consulting Closed
Knowledge Sharing Expert 3 (outreach) Individual - Consulting Closed
INO-International Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor Individual - Consulting Closed
National Knowledge Sharing Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Knowledge Sharing Expert 2 (website management) Individual - Consulting Closed
International Knowledge Sharing Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Knowledge Sharing Expert 1 (web content) Individual - Consulting Closed
INO: Support for Indonesia’s Health Sector Reform Strategy (HSRS) Firm - Consulting Closed
CPRO Implementation#4 THA Individual - Consulting Closed
Regional Cooperation Expert (Poverty/Inequality) Individual - Consulting Closed
CPRO (National-Thailand) Individual - Consulting Closed
Roundtable _Fiscal Resources Management_RP2 Individual - Consulting Closed
THA_Household Debt Analysis (national) Individual - Consulting Closed
THA_Household Debt Analysis (national-Senior) Individual - Consulting Closed
Research Associate Individual - Consulting Closed
Epidemiology Expert Individual - Consulting Closed
Research Associate Individual - Consulting Closed
Country Economist Individual - Consulting Closed
CPRO (Intl-Thailand) Individual - Consulting Closed
Philippine Identification System Firm - Consulting Closed
CPRO (National-CAM_Gender) Individual - Consulting Closed
CPRO (Intl-CAM) Individual - Consulting Closed
CPRO (National-CAM) Individual - Consulting Closed
CPRO (Intl-PHI) Individual - Consulting Closed
COVID Assessment and Recovery Plan Firm - Consulting Closed
CPRO (National-PHI) Individual - Consulting Closed
Output 5: RCI expert (international) Individual - Consulting Closed
PACER RCI expert (national) 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 Technical Assistance 9964 23 Feb 2022 CUFA LTD (AUSTRALIA) | Suite 303, 275 Alfred Street North Sydney, NSW 2060 Australia Asian Development Bank 289,425.00
Policy and Advisory Technical Assistance 9964 27 Oct 2020 ALPHABETA (SG) PTE LTD(SINGAPORE) | 1 Upper Circular Road, #04-01 Singapore Singapore Asian Development Bank 468,057.00

Procurement Plan

None currently available.