OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS LOAN NUMBER 8987-TN Loan Agreement (GovTech - Digital Transformation for User-centric Public Services Project) between REPUBLIC OF TUNISIA and INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT LOAN NUMBER 8987-TN LOAN AGREEMENT AGREEMENT dated as of the Signature Date between REPUBLIC OF TUNISIA ("Borrower") and INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT ("Bank"). The Borrower and the Bank hereby agree as follows: ARTICLE I - GENERAL CONDITIONS; DEFINITIONS 1.01. The General Conditions (as defined in the Appendix to this Agreement) apply to and form part of this Agreement. 1.02. Unless the context requires otherwise, the capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meanings ascribed to them in the General Conditions or in the Appendix to this Agreement. ARTICLE II - LOAN 2.01. The Bank agrees to lend to the Borrower the amount of eighty-nine million two hundred thousand Euro (EUR 89,200,000), as such amount may be converted from time to time through a Currency Conversion ("Loan"), to contribute to finance the project described in Schedule 1 to this Agreement ("Project"). 2.02. The Borrower may withdraw the proceeds of the Loan in accordance with Section III of Schedule 2 to this Agreement. 2.03. The Front-end Fee is one quarter of one percent (0.25%) of the Loan amount. 2.04. The Commitment Charge is one quarter of one percent (0.25%) per annum on the Unwithdrawn Loan Balance. 2.05. The interest rate is the Reference Rate plus the Fixed Spread or such rate as may apply following a Conversion; subject to Section 3.02(e) of the General Conditions. 2.06. The Payment Dates are May I and November I in each year. 2.07. The principal amount of the Loan shall be repaid in accordance with Schedule 3 to this Agreement. ARTICLE III - PROJECT 3.01. The Borrower declares its commitment to the objectives of the Project. To this end, the Borrower shall carry out the Project through its Ministry of Communication, Technologies and Digital Economy (MTCEN) in accordance with the provisions of Article V of the General Conditions and Schedule 2 to this Agreement. -2- ARTICLE IV - TERMINATION 4.01. The Effectiveness Deadline is the date one hundred eighty (180) days after the Signature Date. ARTICLE IV - REPRESENTATIVE; ADDRESSES 5.01. The Borrower's Representative is its Minister of Development, Investment and International Cooperation. 5.02. For purposes of Section 10.01 of the General Conditions: (a) the Borrower's address is: Ministry of Development, Investment and International Cooperation 98, Avenue Mohamed V Place Pasteur 1002 Tunis Republic of Tunisia; and (b) the Borrower's Electronic Address is: Facsimile: 216 71 799 069 5.03. For purposes of Section 10.01 of the General Conditions: (a) the Bank's address is: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development 1818 H Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20433 United States of America; and (b) the Bank's Electronic Address is: Telex: Facsimile: 248423(MCI) or 1-202-477-6391 64145(MCI) -3- AGREED as of the Signature Date. REPUBLIC OF TUNISIA By Authorize e entative Name: RIDHA CH4AcLmHO0M Title: N0-o oe MsoRT tov1,vJlr A6 1~WRATL 6opgA-)J, a.i. Date: JA#AV -30 0020 INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT By Authorized Reprt entative Name: TON'Y VG 2 HE (JF-N Title: (O0tr.XTRy' NIAAADZ Date: CJAr\ V 3G)- , 2020 -4- SCHEDULE 1 Project Description The objective of the Project is to improve equitable access to and the quality and accountability of selected social protection and education services through a GovTech approach. The Project consists of the following parts: Part 1. User-Friendly Institutional and Digital Delivery Solutions 1 . Improving social protection delivery, efficiency, accountability and user-friendliness through the following activities, including: (a) under Borrower's targeted social assistance programs : (i) the carrying out of an "As-is-to-Be" review of administrative processes, and, based on such review, the simplification and/or automation of selected processes; (ii) the upgrade of the existing social assistance information system; (iii) the strengthening of the targeting method including by developing a targeting model using new technologies and integrating the revised targeting model into the new operational procedures and information system; (iv) the development of a system to monitor and recertify beneficiaries; and (v) the implementation of other GovTech solutions for users and providers in selected areas, including strengthening case management and grievance redress mechanisms, as further defined in the POM; and (b) under Borrower's targeted social security programs (pensions and health insurance): (i) the carrying out of an "As-is-to-Be" review of administrative processes, and, based on such review, the simplification and/or automation of selected processes; (ii) the upgrade of the existing social security information system to speed up digital services; (iii) the development and adoption of new technological solutions in the social protection sector to promote universal access to health; and (iv) the implementation of other GovTech solutions for users and providers in selected areas including, digital solutions to, inter alia, improve pension affiliation/contribution processes and access to health insurance services, as further defined in the POM. 2. Improving education delivery, efficiency, accountability and user-friendliness through the following activities, including: (a) Digital Education Management Platform and Services: (i) the carrying out of an "As-is-to-Be" review of the administrative processes, and, based on such review, the simplification and/or automation of selected processes; (ii) the upgrade of the existing information system; and (iii) the implementation of other GovTech solutions for users and providers in selected areas, including, the design of a new education management digital platform and the development of an alert/monitoring system of students with leaming difficulties , as further defined in the POM; and -5- (b) Digital Learning Management System including: (i) the development and implementation of a database of digital learning content; (ii) the creation of relevant digital pedagogical content; and (iii) the implementation of other GovTech solutions for users and providers in selected areas, including the development and expansion of digital learning resources for teachers and students as further defined in the POM. 3. Improving access and quality for all - digitized access points improving digital inclusion - through the following activities, including, the rehabilitation and/ or establishment of digitalized access points to provide assisted access to digitalized services for targeted groups in selected education, social protection and other relevant administrative services (as further described in the POM), including the purchase of ICT and other relevant equipment and the carrying out of relevant training activities. Part 2. Public and Private Sector Capabilities for Speedier and Responsive Service Delivery 1 . Improving user-oriented identification and inter-operability through the following activities, including: (a) in social protection: (i) the development of a digital social registry (including a social identifier); and (ii) the strengthening of secured data exchange and inter- operability within MSA, and with other institutions, and integration in the national cloud; and (b) in education: (i) the development of a digitized student identification register; (ii) the development of an individual "sign-on" system for all selected student applications and digital services; and (iii)the strengthening of secured data exchange and inter-operability within ME, and with other institutions, and integration in the national cloud. 2. Improving selected services' performance and citizen engagement through the establishment of a centralized public service delivery barometer covering selected sectors such as education and social protection. 3. Carrying out the following activities: (a) change management, including: (i) the development of a change management strategy and its operationalization at the level of the selected sectors for the implementation of the proposed reforms; (ii) the development and implementation of information, education and communication strategies; and (iii) the provision of training and the delivery of a relevant program of technical assistance; and (b) strengthening the capacity of the Borrower and its implementing entities (including its DU) for Project implementation, through relevant capacity building and technical assistance. 4. Providing financing of payments under the Eligible Expenditure Program (EEP) in support of the adoption of key GovTech reforms as further defined in Schedule 4 to this Agreement. -6- Part 3. Strengthening Connectivity in Education and Social Protection for More Equitable Access to and Quality of Services 1. Providing indoor connectivity to deploy new service delivery solutions, including GovTech, in a selected number of front-line service providers with sufficient outdoor connectivity, including public schools, social protection offices and digitized access points through the following activities, including: (a) the purchase, installation and management of local networks equipment; and (b) the carrying out of relevant training activities and the provision of technical assistance. 2. Providing outdoor and indoor connectivity to deploy new service delivery solutions, including GovTech, in a selected number of front-line public institutions with insufficient outdoor connectivity, including public schools, through the following activities, including: (a) the development of a detailed action plan on connectivity and an investment plan focused on connectivity needs for public schools; (b) the carrying out /piloting of selected broadband connectivity investment activities listed in said plan; and (c) the carrying out of relevant capacity building activities and the provision of technical assistance. -7- SCHEDULE 2 Project Execution Section I. Implementation Arrangements A. Institutional Arrangements 1. The Borrower shall vest the overall responsibility for the implementation of the Project in the MTCEN. To this end, the Borrower shall, through the MTCEN: (a) within its DU, appoint not later than fifteen (15) days after the Effective Date, or such later date as agreed by the Bank, and thereafter maintain, throughout Project implementation, a Project Implementation Team with composition and resources acceptable to the Bank and defined in the Project Operational Manual, to be responsible for day-to-day management of the Project (including the procurement, financial management and environmental and social aspects); (b) no later than three (3) months after the Effective Date, or such other date as agreed by the Bank, establish, and thereafter maintain throughout Project implementation, the Project Steering Committee with composition acceptable to the Bank and defined in the Project Operational Manual, to provide strategic guidance and oversight of the Project; and (c) throughout Project implementation, coordinate with other relevant ministries and entities of the Borrower participating in the technical implementation of the Project, including the Ministry of Civil Service and Modernization of Public Administration and Public Policies, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Affairs and the CNTE, pursuant to adequate arrangements set forth in the Project Operational Manual. 2. The Borrower, through the MTCEN, shall: (a) carry out the Project in accordance with the requirements set forth in a manual acceptable to the Bank (Project Operational Manual or POM); and (b) not assign, amend, abrogate, or waive the POM or any of its provisions, except with the prior written approval of the Bank. In case of any conflict between the terms of the POM and those of this Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall prevail. B. Environmental and Social Standards 1 . The Borrower shall ensure that the Project is carried out in accordance with the Environmental and Social Standards, in a manner acceptable to the Bank. 2. Without limitation upon paragraph I above, the Borrower, through MTCEN, shall ensure that the Project is implemented in accordance with the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan ("ESCP"), in a manner acceptable to the Bank. To this end, the Borrower, through MTCEN, shall ensure that: (a) the measures and actions specified in the ESCP are implemented with due diligence and efficiency, and as further specified in the ESCP; -8- (b) sufficient funds are available to cover the costs of implementing the ESCP; (c) policies, procedures and qualified staff are maintained to enable it to implement the ESCP, as further specified in the ESCP; and (d) the ESCP or any provision thereof, is not amended, revised or waived, except as the Bank shall otherwise agree in writing and the Borrower has, thereafter, disclosed the revised ESCP. In case of any inconsistencies between the ESCP and the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail. 3. The Borrower, through MTCEN, shall: (a) take all measures necessary on its part to collect, compile, and furnish to the Bank through regular reports, with the frequency specified in the ESCP, and promptly in a separate report or reports, if so requested by the Bank, information on the status of compliance with the ESCP and the management tools and instruments referred to therein, all such reports in form and substance acceptable to the Bank, setting out, inter alia: (i) the status of implementation of the ESCP; (ii) conditions, if any, which interfere or threaten to interfere with the implementation of the ESCP; and (iii) corrective and preventive measures taken or required to be taken to address such conditions; and (b) promptly notify the Bank of any incident or accident related to or having an impact on the Project which has, or is likely to have, a significant adverse effect on the environment, the affected communities, the public or workers, in accordance with the ESCP, the instruments referenced therein and the Environmental and Social Standards. 4. The Borrower, through MTCEN, shall maintain and publicize the availability of a grievance mechanism, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank, to hear and determine fairly and in good faith all complaints raised in relation to the Project, and take all measures necessary to implement the determinations made by such mechanism in a manner satisfactory to the Bank. Section II. Project Monitorin2 Reporting and Evaluation The Borrower shall furnish to the Bank each Project Report not later than forty-five (45) days after the end of each calendar semester, covering the calendar semester. -9- Section III. Withdrawal of Loan Proceeds A. General Without limitation upon the provisions of Article II of the General Conditions and in accordance with the Disbursement and Financial Information Letter, the Borrower may withdraw the proceeds of the Loan to: (a) finance Eligible Expenditures; and (b) pay the Front-end Fee; in the amount allocated and, if applicable, up to the percentage set forth against each Category of the following table: Category Amount of the Loan Percentage of Expenditures Allocated to be financed (expressed in EUR) (inclusive of Taxes) (1) Goods, works, non- 71,137,000 100% consulting services, and consulting services for the Project (2) Payments for EEPs under 17,840,000 100% Part 2.4 of the Project (3) Front-end Fee 223,000 Amount payable pursuant to Section 2.03 of this Agreement in accordance with Section 2.07 (b) of the General _____________________ ____________________ Conditions TOTAL AMOUNT 89,200,000 Conditions B. Withdrawal Conditions; Withdrawal Period. 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Part A above, no withdrawal shall be made: (a) for payments made prior to the Signature Date, except that withdrawals up to an aggregate amount not to exceed EUR500,000 may be made for payments made prior to this date but on or after the date twelve months prior to the Signature Date, for Eligible Expenditures under Category (1); or (b) for payments made under Category (2) until and unless the Borrower has furnished evidence satisfactory to the Bank with respect to the achievement of the respective Disbursement-Linked Results (DLRs) as referred to in Schedule 4 to this Agreement and the additional supporting documentation set forth in the Disbursement and Financial Information Letter; 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of Part B. 1(b) of this Section, if any of the DLRs referred to in Schedule 4 to this Agreement has not been achieved, the Bank may, by notice to the Borrower: (a) reallocate all or a portion of the proceeds of the Loan then allocated to said DLR to any other DLR; and/or (b) cancel all or a portion of the proceeds of the Loan then allocated to said DLR. - 10 - 3. The Bank and the Borrower may agree from time to time, by exchange of letters, to modify DLIs or corresponding amounts for the DLIs set forth in Schedule 4 to this Agreement. 4. The Closing Date is January 31, 2025. - I1 - SCHEDULE 3 Amortization Schedule The Borrower shall repay the principal amount of the Loan as follows: Principal Payment Date Installment Share (Expressed as a Percentage) May 1, 2025 0.50% November 1, 2025 0.50% May 1, 2026 0.50% November 1, 2026 0.50% May 1, 2027 0.50% November 1, 2027 0.50% May 1, 2028 1.00% November 1, 2028 1.00% May 1, 2029 2.00% November 1, 2029 2.00% May 1, 2030 2.00% November 1, 2030 2.00% May 1, 2031 2.00% November 1, 2031 2.00% May 1, 2032 2.50% November 1, 2032 2.50% May 1, 2033 2.50% November 1, 2033 2.50% May 1, 2034 2.50% November 1, 2034 2.50% May 1, 2035 2.50% November 1, 2035 2.50% May 1, 2036 3.00% November 1, 2036 3.00% May 1, 2037 3.00% November 1, 2037 3.00% May 1, 2038 3.00% November 1, 2038 3.00% May 1, 2039 3.00% November 1, 2039 3.00% May 1, 2040 3.00% November 1, 2040 3.00% May 1, 2041 3.00% November 1, 2041 3.00% May 1, 2042 3.00% November 1, 2042 3.00% May 1, 2043 3.00% November 1, 2043 1.50% May 1, 2044 1.00% November 1, 2044 1.00% - 12 - May 1, 2045 1.00% November 1, 2045 1.00% May 1, 2046 1.00% November 1, 2046 1.00% May 1, 2047 1.00% November 1, 2047 1.00% May 1, 2048 1.00% November 1, 2048 1.00% May 1, 2049 1.00% November 1, 2049 1.00% May 1, 2050 0.50% November 1, 2050 0.50% May 1, 2051 0.50% November 1, 2051 0.50% May 1, 2052 0.50% November 1, 2052 0.50% May 1, 2053 0.50% November 1, 2053 0.50% May 1, 2054 0.50% - 13 - SCHEDULE 4 Disbursement Linked Indicators The DLIs and corresponding amounts may be adjusted from time to time by the Bank and the Borrower, based on the review pursuant to Section III.B.3 of Schedule 2 to this Agreement. Disbursement Linked Disbursement Linked Amount of Loan Indicator Description Result Allocated (expressed in EUR) DLI#1: DLR#1.1: DLR#1.1: 892,000 Adopting key GovTech and (a) An official document has (a) 446,000 digital economy regulatory been signed at the ministerial reforms level authorizing exchange of data between ME and other sector, as further defined in the POM. (b) An official document has (b) 446,000 been signed at the ministerial level authorizing exchange of data between MSA and other sector, as further defined in the POM. DLR# 1.2: the Borrower's DLR#2.2: 1,784,000 Council of Ministers has For each flagship approved the action plan service covered under included in the "As-is-to-Be" the "As-is-to-Be" study(ies) on the flagship study(ies) which action services referred to under Part plan has been approved 1 of the Project and further by the Borrower's defined in the POM. Council of Ministers, 446,000 may be made available for withdrawal, up to 1,784,000 DLR#1.3 DLR#1.3: 892,000 (a) The Borrower's Council (a): 446,000 of Ministers has approved and submitted to Parliament the Draft Digital Law. (b) The Digitalization (b): 446,000 Development Agency has been created. -14- DLR#1.4: 60% of the actions DLR#1.4: 892,000 identified in the action plan For each percentage referred to under DLR#1.2, point implemented, has been implemented, as 14,867 may be made further defined in the POM, available for withdrawal from a 0 baseline. by the Borrower, up to 892,000 DLR#1.5: Cumulative 80% of DLR#1.5: 892,000 the actions identified in the From a baseline of 60%, action plan referred to under for each additional DLR#1.2, have been percentage point implemented, as further implemented, 44,600 defined in the POM. may be made available for withdrawal by the Borrower, up to 892,000 DLI#2: DLR#2. 1: DLR#2.1: 892,000 Delivery responsiveness and access for under-served (a) The Borrower's Council (a) 446,000 groups of Ministers has adopted the decree on open data. (b) The Borrower's Council (b) 446,000 of Ministers has adopted the decree on digitized access points. DLR#2.2: Twenty (20) DLR#2.2: 892,000 digitized access points are For each digitized operational in selected areas, access point operational, from a 0 baseline. 44,600 may be made available for withdrawal by the Borrower, up to 892,000 DLR#2.3: Both the MSA and DLR#2.3:1,784,000 ME have: (a) made publicly available on-line their respective inventory datasets; and (b) made publicly available 40% of their respective datasets in accordance with open data standards from a 0 baseline, as further defined in the POM. - 15- DLR#2.4: Both the MSA and DLR#2.4: 892,000 ME have: (a) made publicly available on-line their respective inventory datasets, and (b) made publicly available 60% of their respective datasets in accordance with open data standards, as further defined in the POM. DLR#2.5: Sixty-nine (69) DLR#2.5: 892,000 digitized access points are From a baseline of 20, operational in selected areas. for each additional digitized access point operational, 18,204 may be made available for withdrawal by the Borrower, up to 892,000 DLI#3: Optimizing DLR#3.1: The national DLR#3.1: 1,784,000 Connectivity broadband plan, including a detailed action plan on connectivity and digital needs of public schools, has been approved by the Borrower's Council of Ministers and made publicly available. DLR#3.2: The Borrower has DLR#3.2: 1,784,000 extended the network For each public school coverage of fifty-seven (57) connected, 31,298 may public schools in areas with be made available for no indoor/outdoor withdrawal by the connectivity, as further Borrower, up to defined in the POM. 1,784,000 DLR#3.3: The Borrower has DLR#3.3: 1,784,000 allocated an amount From a baseline of 0, for equivalent to EUR2, 676,000 each amount equivalent of public resources to meet to EUR892 000 of the connectivity and digital public resources needs of public schools (other allocated to meet the than the public schools connectivity and digital supported under Part 3 of the needs of public schools Project) in areas with no in selected areas, indoor/outdoor connectivity, 594,667 be made as further defined in the available for withdrawal POM. by the Borrower, up to 1,784,000 - 16 - DLR#3.4: The Borrower has DLR#3.4: 892,000 allocated an additional From EUR2,676,000 amount equivalent to equivalent amount, for EUR3,568,000 public each additional amount resources to meet the equivalent to connectivity and digital needs EUR892,0000 of public of public schools (other than resources allocated to the public schools supported meet the connectivity under Part 3 of the Project) in and digital needs of areas with no indoor/outdoor public schools in areas connectivity, as further with no indoor/outdoor defined in the POM. connectivity, 223,000 may be made available for withdrawal by the Borrower, up to 892,000 DLR#3.5: The Borrower has allocated an additional DLR#3.5:892,000 amount equivalent to From EUR6,244,000 EUR4,460,000 public equivalent amount, for resources to meet the each additional amount connectivity and digital needs equivalent to EUR of public schools (other than 892,000 of public the public schools supported resources allocated to under Part 3 of the Project) in meet the connectivity areas with no indoor/outdoor and digital needs of connectivity, as further public schools in areas defined in the POM with no indoor/outdoor connectivity, 178,400 may be made available for withdrawal by the Borrower, up to 892,000 - 17- APPENDIX Definitions 1. "Anti-Corruption Guidelines" means, for purposes of paragraph 5 of the Appendix to the General Conditions, the "Guidelines on Preventing and Combating Fraud and Corruption in Projects Financed by IBRD Loans and IDA Credits and Grants", dated October 15, 2006 and revised in January 2011 and as of July 1, 2016. 2. "Category" means a category set forth in the table in Section III.A of Schedule 2 to this Agreement. 3. "CNTE" means the Borrower's National Center for Technology in Education. 4. "Disbursement Linked Indicator" or "DLI" means in respect of Category (2), each of the indicators related to said Category as set forth in the table in Schedule 4 to this Agreement. 5. "Disbursement Linked Result" or "DLR" means in respect of Category (2), each of the results related to said Category as set forth in the table in Schedule 4 to this Agreement, on the basis of the achievement of which, the amount of the Loan allocated to said result may be withdrawn in accordance with the provisions of Section III.B of Schedule 2 to this Agreement. 6. "DU" means the Delivery Unit or any other unit within the MTCEN, as agreed between the Borrower and the Bank. 7. "Eligible Expenditure Program" or "EEP" means a set of defined expenditures within the MSA's budget under the Programme National d'Assistance aux Families Necessiteuses (PNAFN), including cash transfers and other type of social assistance. 8. "Environmental and Social Commitment Plan" or the acronym "ESCP" means the Borrower's environmental and social commitment plan, acceptable to the Bank, dated May 17 2019, which sets out a summary of the material measures and actions to address the potential environmental and social risks and impacts of the Project, including the timing of the actions and measures, institutional, staffing, training, monitoring and reporting arrangements, and any instruments to be prepared thereunder; as the ESCP may be revised from time to time, with prior written agreement of the Bank , and such term includes any annexes or schedules to such plan. 9. "Environmental and Social Standards" means, collectively: (i) "Environmental and Social Standard 1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts"; (ii) "Environmental and Social Standard 2: Labor and Working Conditions"; (iii) "Environmental and Social Standard 3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management"; (iv) "Environmental and Social Standard 4: Community Health and Safety"; (v) "Environmental and Social Standard 5: Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement"; (vi) "Environmental and Social Standard 6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources"; (vii) "Environmental and Social Standard 7: Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities"; (viii) "Environmental and - 18- Social Standard 8: Cultural Heritage"; (ix) "Environmental and Social Standard 9: Financial Intermediaries"; (x) "Environmental and Social Standard 10: Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure"; effective on October 1, 2018, as published by the Bank at http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/936531525368193913/Environmental- Social-Framework-French2.pdf 10. "General Conditions" means the "International Bank for Reconstruction and Development General Conditions for IBRD Financing, Investment Project Financing", dated December 14, 2018. 11. "GovTech" means an approach to development that puts the citizen at the center of the reform process and combines public sector reform innovations, change management and digital technologies. 12. "ICT" means Information and Communication Technologies. 13. "Ministry of Education" or ME" means the Borrower's Ministare de 'Education, or any successor thereto. 14. "Ministry of Information, Technology and Communication and Digital Economy" or MTCEN means the Borrower's Ministere des Technologies de la Communication et de l'Economie Numirique, or any successor thereto. 15. "Ministry of Civil Service and Modernization of Public Administration and Public Policies" means the Borrower's Ministire de la Fonction Publique, de la Modernisation de l'Administration et des Politiques Publiques or any successor thereto. 16. "Ministry of Social Affairs" or "MSA" means the Borrower's Ministere des Affaires Sociales, or any successor thereto. 17. "Procurement Regulations" means, for purposes of paragraph 85 of the Appendix to the General Conditions, the "World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers", dated July 2016, revised November 2017 and August 2018. 18. "Project Implementation Team" means the team established within the DU and referred to in Section I.A. 1 (a) of Schedule 2 to this Agreement. 19. "Project Operational Manual" or "POM" means the manual referred to in Section I.A.2 of Schedule 2 to this Agreement, to be adopted by the Borrower, at all times in form and substance acceptable to the Bank, setting forth the details of all operational arrangements for the implementation, monitoring and supervision of the Project, including: (a) the respective roles and responsibilities for the implementation of the Project; (b) the accounting, financial management, auditing and reporting arrangements; (c) the procurement arrangements, including the Procurement Plan; (d) the monitoring and evaluation procedures including the selected indicators for measuring Project performance; (e) the DLIs and DLRs under Parts 1.3, 2.3 and 3.3 of the Project, including the procedures for verifying the achievement of said DLIs/DLRs; and (f) all other relevant arrangements necessary for the carrying out of the Project. -19- 20. "Project Steering Committee" means Comit de Pilotage du Projet, the Steering Committee for the Project referred to in Section I.A.1 (b) of Schedule 2 to this Agreement. 21. "Signature Date" means the later of the two dates on which the Borrower and the Bank signed this Agreement and such definition applies to all references to "the date of the Loan Agreement" in the General Conditions.