DS eLOp,,&                                                 OFFICIAL USE ONLY
IDA/SecM2002-0371
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June 12, 2002
FROM: Vice President and Secretary
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS' MEETING - June 11, 2002
Chairman's Concluding Remarks
Cote d'Ivoire - Interim Country Assistance Strategy
Attached is a copy of the Chairman's Concluding Remarks on the discussion
of the Interim Country Assistance Strategy for Cote d'Ivoire at the meeting of the
Executive Directors held on June 11, 2002.
Comments on the concluding remarks may be directed to Mr. Cheikh Fall by
the close of business June 13, 2002.
Distribution:
Executive Directors and Alternates
President
Bank Group Senior Management
Vice Presidents, Bank, IFC and MIGA
Directors and Department Heads, Bank, IEFC and MIGA
This document has a restricted distribution and may be used by recipients only In the performance of their official duties. Its contents
may not otherwise be disclosed without World Bank Group authorization.



COTE D'IVOIRE: INTERIM COUNTRY ASSISTANCE STRATEGY
CHAIRMAN'S CONCLUDING REMARKS
Meeting of Executive Directors
June 11, 2002
The Executive Directors welcomed the Interim Country Assistance Strategy for CMte d'Ivoire, and
its link to the Government's I-PRSP, and. commended its candid assessment of the development
challenges facing the country.
Directors noted the continuing fragile situation in Cote d'Ivoire after three years of crisis and sharp
economic decline, and commended the authorities for their efforts to improve the country's economic
and political conditions. They urged the Ivoirian authorities to take actions to sustain fiscal discipline,
improve accountability and transparency in public expenditure management, and further liberalize the
cocoa/coffee sector.
Directors were broadly supportive of the objectives and strategic priorities of the interim CAS
focusing on a return to growth and improved service delivery through portfolio management, non-lending
services, and new lending activities to meet some urgent transition development needs including capacity
building for inclusive service delivery to the poor, and addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Directors
stressed the importance of improving institutional capacity and governance, restoring private sector
confidence, increasing decentralization and empowering local communities - as the basis for achieving
enhanced and equitable growth and reducing poverty in Cote d'Ivoire. Greater focus on education,
especially for women, was encouraged.  Directors also urged IPC and MIGA to continue their
engagement in the country.
Directors broadly agreed with the lending program proposed in the interim CAS, although some
expressed, the wish for more scenarios. They noted that the improvement in performance after a severe
crisis and the need for donors to support the country's efforts for economic recovery justified the
proposed level of support. At the same time, Directors also stressed the importance of performance and
the close monitoring thereof. Directors encouraged continued close working relationship with the other
donors with a view to enhancing aid coordination. Directors also stressed the importance of putting in
place indicators to assess and evaluate progress, and of ensuring adequate expenditure management.
Directors looked forward to the full CAS which will be based on the finalized PRSP, and
expected that it will be informed by an investment climate assessment, elaborate on the agricultural
delivery infrastructure and Cote d'Ivoire's dependence on commodities, explore other potential sources
of growth, greater focus on gender development, and include time-bound action plans and clear
performance benchmarks.