Improving Food Security in West Africa: Removing Obstacles to Regional Trade Markets

Article originally published on the World Bank website.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • A new report explores how West African governments can build an integrated regional trade market for food staples.
  • The analysis notes that regional policies west africa food securitymust complement national ones and be tailored to each country’s specific needs.
  • Cooperation in regional trade policies can accelerate agricultural production and efficiency and ensure food security in West Africa, according to the report.

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Myanmar National Electrification Project

The World Bank is currently negotiating with the government of Myanmar a National Electrification Project worth a total of $567, of which $400 will be provided by the World Bank.

The project development objective is to help increase access to electricity in Myanmar. This is to be achieved through the following components: Continue reading

Tender: Implementation Support Consultancy for Sri Lanka Water and Sanitation Improvement Project

The Government of Sri Lanka has applied for financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Sri Lanka Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement Project (SLWSSIP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services include the provision of technical and project management support to the Project Management Unit (PMU) housed in the Ministry of Urban Development, Water Supply and Drainage (MUDWSD) and to associate Project Implementation Units (PIUs) in the districts of Mulaithivu and Kilinochchi in Northern Province, Nuwara Eliya in Central Province, Badulla and Monaragala in Uva Province and Kegalle and Ratnapura in Sabaragamuwa Province. The total project cost is around US$180 Mn and the implementation period is 5 years. Continue reading

eConsultant2: Peru PPP

Support the Government of Peru improving PPP policies and practices for project structuring (engineering design and financial modelling), contract risk allocation and bankability. Also, how government guarantees and subsidy scheme have prevented developing PPP projects meeting international best practices, attract high quality concessionaires and support development of the local capital markets. The firm would help on:

I) developing guidance and policy for the development of criteria and regulations relating to the provision of government financial support, financial and non-financial guarantees, for the financial structure on PPP projects and Continue reading

eConsultant2: climate mitigation scenarios study and analysis of GHG emission reductions for Rio de Janeiro

The World Bank now invites eligible firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc. for firms; CV and cover letter for individuals). The tender concerns a climate mitigation scenarios study and the analysis of potential GHG emission reductions for the city of Rio de Janeiro. Continue reading

From ‘Aid to Trade’ agenda in Kenya: an embassy perspective (in Dutch)

This blog was published on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for entrepreneurs in developing countries (www.ondernemeninontwikkelingslanden.nl) on July 28, 2015 and written by First Secretary Robert van der Hum of the Netherlands embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.

Almost summer vacation, almost a year that I have lived – with family – and worked in Kenya. A beautiful country to live in, also exciting and adventurous. And certainly very dynamic to work in Kenya: the developments occur rapidly and there is so much to do! A good moment to look back on a first year of working on the ‘Aid to Trade’ agenda, at the economic department of the embassy in Nairobi. -Remainder of article in Dutch-

Update: Vietnam Sustainable Agriculture Transformation Project

On June 22, we reported that the World Bank Board of Directors was to discuss the Vietnam Sustainable Agriculture Transformation Project, worth a total of $314 million, of which $238 million is provided by the World Bank. This project is now approved.

The Project Development Outcome is to improve farming practices and value chains in the targeted project areas, and promote institutional strengthening of relevant public agencies in effective support to implementation of the Agricultural Restructuring Plan. The project consists of three different components:

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New World Bank Procurement Framework Approved

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2015—The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a new policy governing procurement in projects financed by the Bank. The new Procurement Framework will allow the World Bank to better respond to the needs of client countries, while preserving robust procurement standards throughout Bank-supported projects.

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eConsultant2: Impact evaluation of PPIAFs Sub-National Technical Assistance Program

Evaluation of the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility’s Sub-National Technical Assistance Program (PPIAF-SNTA):

The Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF) is a multi-donor technical assistance facility that is housed within and is the principal donor funded program of the World Banks PPP Cross-Cutting Solution Area.

PPIAFs Sub-National Technical Assistance Program (SNTA) began operations in July 2007, and has now completed eight years of operations. During PPIAFs annual program council meeting in Dakar, Senegal in May 2015, PPIAFs donors requested that an impact evaluation of the SNTA program be included in the FY16 Work Program. PPIAF is therefore commissioning this Independent Evaluation of the SNTA Programs performance and progress to date, to inform/evidence the Programs longer-term prospects and identify need for inputs in the future. Continue reading

eConsultant2: One Stop Shop Creation to Accelerate Business Entry in Colombia

The overall objective of the Regional Business Entry Project in Colombia is to accelerate the sustainable business entry of companies into Colombia.

This assignment seeks to streamline procedures (e.g. including labor and social insurance registration, commercial registries, notary registries, operating licenses and tax registries) involved in registering a business, creating a comprehensive single registry (Registro Único Integral) and design a business one-stop shop under e-solutions that unify the necessary processes nationwide for the creation of companies in Colombia.
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