Morocco – Large Scale Irrigation Modernization Project

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On July 8, the World Bank Board of Directors approved the Morocco Large Scale Irrigation Modernization Project, worth a total of $187.5 million, of which $150 million is provided by the World Bank.

The development objectives of the Large Scale Irrigation Modernization Project for Morocco are: (i) for the Doukkala Regional Agricultural Development Office (ORMVA), the Gharb ORMVA, the Haouz ORMVA, and the Tadla ORMVA, to provide improved water service to farmers; and (ii) for targeted farmers in the project area, to have better access to improved irrigation technologies.

The project comprises of three components. Continue reading →

eConsultant2: Training materials related to Integrated Urban Water Management

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Formulation of financial and economic analysis training materials related to Integrated Urban Water Management

The selection is to contract the work for the development of training materials based on an in-depth assessment of financial and economic analysis tools and options related to Integrated Urban Water Management.

Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) is a holistic mode of strategic planning. It seeks to develop efficient, flexible urban water systems by adopting an integrated view of all components of the urban water cycle (water supply, sanitation, storm water management), in the context of the urban environment and the wider watershed (land use planning, urban planning and development, water users, environmental services). Continue reading →

India – Andhra Pradesh Disaster Recovery Project

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Original article posted on June 17, 2015 on the World Bank website.

The project is expected to benefit over 13 million people.The total value of the project is $370 million. Please find the Project Appraisal Document on the Project Website.

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2015 ─ The World Bank today approved a US $250 million credit for the Andhra Pradesh Disaster Recovery Project to restore, improve and enhance the resilience of public services and livelihoods of communities affected by cyclone Hudhud in Andhra Pradesh. The project will also increase the capacity of the state to respond promptly and effectively to an emergency.

The project will specifically benefit over 13 million people in the four severely affected districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari.

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Reforming the Bank’s Procurement Framework

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Today, on July 21, 2015, the World Bank Board of Directors will be discussing, and hopefully approving, the proposed new set of procurement rules and procedures. To give you the context, please find below an interview with the World Bank Chief Procurement Officer, Mr. Chris Browne.

In 2012, the World Bank started a review of the procurement rules and procedures that regulate how borrowing governments can use Bank money for buying goods, services, works, and for hiring consultants. The goal – to reform procurement in Bank operations to better support clients to achieve value for money and to produce sustainable development, while upholding the highest fiduciary and integrity standards. The review process included two global multi-stakeholder consultations. The Bank engaged with more than 4,000 stakeholders from governments, the private sector and civil society to develop a procurement framework that is fit for purpose for development.

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World Bank Report: Public-Private Partnerships – Promise and Hype

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Paper authored by Michael Klein and published by the World Bank Open Knowledge Repository (OKR) in June 2015 at http://hdl.handle.net/10986/22223.

This paper provides perspectives on patterns of public-private partnerships in infrastructure across time and space. Public-private partnerships are a new term for old concepts. Much infrastructure started under private auspices. Then many governments nationalized the ventures. Governments often push infrastructure providers to keep prices low. Continue reading →

eConsultant2: Market research on Solar Home Systems in Ethiopia

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The study should provide both qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market for solar home systems (SHS) of up to 100Wp in Ethiopia. This is expected to include detailed assessment of:

  • Market segmentation (e.g. by income level, size of home, region, domestic /commercial/institutional use) and size.
  • Consumer preferences including consideration of system size, features, product range, design, functionality, retail channels etc.
  • Consumer willingness to pay including consideration of both upfront and consumer finance / microfinance based approaches.

The intention is that this study will be used to inform the business activities of Lighting Africas private sector partners in the SHS space in Ethiopia. Continue reading →

Urban Logistics in the Moroccan traditional sector

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Full article in Dutch, only excerpt in English.

In developing countries the traditional marokko-272x160channel plays a very large rol, with often 50% of all commercial trade being conducted through these channels. To develop a city sustainably, city logistics is an important topic in policy and rules. However, policy also needs to be evaluated in the context of the city in question, with proper data as the basis.

Below a case-study in Casablanca, Morocco, by Alain Broft.

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eConsultant2: International STC to support Lao PDR Nam Ou River Basin Profile Development and Training

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IFC seeks to recruit a short term international consultant to support their Environmental and Social Hydropower Advisory Services Program in Lao PDR. The assignment aims to provide capacity building and training through the development and production of a river basin profile for the Nam Ou River Basin. The production of the river basin profile will be undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Offices (PONRE), District Natural Resources and Environment Offices (DONRE) in the provinces of Phongsaly, Oudomxay and Luang Prabang and IFC (constituting the Core Team) as well as other relevant stakeholders where required.

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eConsultant2: Lessons from Linking SMEs to Lead Firms in Agribusiness

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The Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice of the World Bank Group (WBG) assists governments and the private sector in exploring and enabling market opportunities in agribusiness. One of the key areas of focus of T&C is to support the growth of small and medium enterprises, from serving local and domestic markets to entering and upgrading in global value chains (GVCs). This is done by building marketing competence, facilitating market linkages, extending access to early-stage finance and appropriate technologies, and building managerial capacity. This work often entails supporting the development of aggregators or intermediaries. A key example for the agribusiness sector is infoDevs pilot program on the use of local intermediaries to effectively deliver financial and technical assistance that enable the growth of agro-processing SMEs. These intermediaries are referred to as Agribusiness Innovation Centers (AICs). Continue reading →