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            Republic of The Gambia: IDA/IFC/AfDB Second Joint Partnership Strategy

                                                     CHAIR’S SUMMING UP

                                               Meeting of the Executive Directors

                                                               April 4, 2013


        Executive Directors discussed the joint IDA-IFC-AfDB Joint Partnership Strategy (JPS)
for the Republic of The Gambia for the period FY2013-2016 and welcomed its alignment with
the Government’s Program for Accelerated Growth and Employment (PAGE)
(IDA/R2013-0061[IFC/R2013-0067]).

        Directors support the focus on the two pillars of PAGE, namely (i) enhancing productive
capacity and competitiveness and (ii) strengthening the institutional capacity for economic
governance and public services. They welcomed the selectivity of the JPS program, reflecting a
set of common actions for the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank Group in
agriculture and economic governance, complemented by activities in each organization’s area of
comparative advantage. Directors appreciate that the JPS will enhance World Bank Group-
AfDB coordination, avoid duplication of effort, and combine technical expertise. They urged the
World Bank Group and the AfDB to support the government in developing a framework for
external partner coordination to harmonize aid flows and leverage resources and expertise.

        Directors underscored the critical need for stronger, inclusive growth to reduce poverty,
create jobs, and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (especially Goals 4 and 5). They
welcomed the emphasis on increasing agricultural productivity for food security and trade,
combined with nutrition services to address immediate needs.

       Directors appreciated the JPS focus on strengthening governance as a core objective for
achieving development goals and noted that the Government’s commitment to reform is
important. Directors noted the need to strengthen public sector capacity and welcomed World
Bank Group and AfDB support in areas such as public financial management and statistical
capacity development.

        Directors strongly emphasized the importance of the private sector for economic growth.
They urged the IFC to facilitate improvements in the business climate including support for a
robust framework for public-private partnerships (PPPs). They noted the potential for Gambian
participation in regional projects and further development of the energy and infrastructure
sectors.

       Directors welcomed the proposed series of joint budget support operations to build on
progress made during the first JPS in budgeting, reporting and procurement, support to the
education, agriculture and rural development sectors, and targeted social safety net operations to
address vulnerabilities to climate change and future crises. They noted the country’s
vulnerability to external shocks and the need to manage fiscal risks and levels of debt.

        Finally, Directors looked forward to the Progress Report for updates on important
operations in the critical energy and agriculture/rural development sectors, which are currently in
the early stages of preparation.
                                                            
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  This summary is not an approved record.