Ratings for the Government's Central Public Administration Reform (CPAR) Project for Moldova were as follows: outcomes were satisfactory, risk to development outcome was substantial, Bank performance was satisfactory, and Grantee performance was moderately satisfactory.
... See More + Some lessons learned included: strong government ownership and commitment to CPAR proved to be essential for achieving results in the institutional reform project. Institutional reform such as CPAR depends on staff capacity to absorb and implement innovations: the importance of a capacity building strategy supporting implementation of CPAR reforms should not be underestimated. Long-term commitment in supporting government's reforms implementation process in the areas of institutional reorganization and capacity building bear fruit and have a greater chance to lead to more sustainable results. Linking government policies with the budget proves to be a challenging area and it is hard to make progress in environment, where demand for evidenced based policy making and budgeting is lacking. Advisory assistance in the design of public administration reforms and implementation planning is crucial when undertaking complex administrative reforms. Effective donor coordination increases the impact of the development assistance on the institutional reform and reduces administrative burden on the government. Transparency in institutional reforms implementation is crucial for building consensus on new policies among government and non-government stakeholders. Flexibility in implementation has contributed to successful completion of CPAR, but required a significant administrative effort by the Bank team constrained by a modest supervision budget.
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Implementation Completion and Results Report ICR2444 JUN 30, 2014
The paper argues that to achieve compliance of firms with regulations such as product quality or environmental or health standards it is better to have industries with a few large corporations than numerous small firms.
... See More + A model is constructed to show that limited liability constraints bind more easily in competitive industries, making it harder to impose sufficiently severe penalties and costlier to send sufficient monitors. Having large corporations allows the government effectively to delegate some of its monitoring functions to the managers of the corporation. The tradeoff between this issue and the usual argument in favor of competition is considered.
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Policy Research Working Paper WPS6860 MAY 01, 2014
The development objective of the Frontier Finance Project for Turkey is to improve access to long term Islamic finance and export factoring for small and medium enterprises and export oriented mid-cap enterprises.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures include: installation of new buildings and extension of existing buildings are generally treated as no annex projects according to Turkish environmental impact assessment (EIA) system but can be classified as category B by the World Bank (WB). In such cases, no environmental documentation is required under Turkish law but a simple environmental management plan (EMP) must be prepared in order to meet the requirements of operational directive OP 4.01. For the renovation works which include only machinery and equipment replacement works are also treated as no annex under Turkish EIA system and can be treated as category C under WB safeguard policies, if the types of wastes generated, emissions released, wastewater discharged, etc. are not significantly changing as a result of renovation process. It is important to conduct the environmental due-diligence studies of the existing facilities which are applying to participating financial institutions (PFIs). If the type of the industry has air emissions which are falling under regulation on air pollution control sourced from industry, then there should be a valid air emission permit, if the industry is producing any type of wastewater (domestic and or industrial) then they are subjected to water pollution control regulation and there should be a valid discharge permit (or a sewer connection permit), if there's a hazardous waste storage in the industry then relevant permits should be in place regarding waste storage. Sub-projects, which include supply and discharge operations within the following river basins, shall be eligible for finance.
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The development objective of the Frontier Finance Project for Turkey is to improve access to long term Islamic finance and export factoring for small and medium enterprises and export oriented mid-cap enterprises.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures include: installation of new buildings and extension of existing buildings are generally treated as no annex projects according to Turkish environmental impact assessment (EIA) system but can be classified as category B by the World Bank (WB). In such cases, no environmental documentation is required under Turkish law but a simple environmental management plan (EMP) must be prepared in order to meet the requirements of operational directive OP 4.01. For the renovation works which include only machinery and equipment replacement works are also treated as no annex under Turkish EIA system and can be treated as category C under WB safeguard policies, if the types of wastes generated, emissions released, wastewater discharged, etc. are not significantly changing as a result of renovation process. It is important to conduct the environmental due-diligence studies of the existing facilities which are applying to participating financial institutions (PFIs). If the type of the industry has air emissions which are falling under regulation on air pollution control sourced from industry, then there should be a valid air emission permit, if the industry is producing any type of wastewater (domestic and or industrial) then they are subjected to water pollution control regulation and there should be a valid discharge permit (or a sewer connection permit), if there's a hazardous waste storage in the industry then relevant permits should be in place regarding waste storage. Sub-projects, which include supply and discharge operations within the following river basins, shall be eligible for finance.
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The development objective of the Power Recovery Project for Albania is to improve reliability of supply and financial viability of the power sector.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures include: (1) in case of coinciding with any cultural asset, the construction will be stopped immediately and the cultural and natural assets protection committee will be informed; (2) loading and unloading will be carried out with care and without scattering. In order not to lead to scattering, loading and unloading works will be performed in an area allocated for loading and unloading and water sprays will be used in loading and unloading area; (3) the continuous work-site noise (day times) will be ensured to be under 70 decibel (dba) (according to the Albanian regulation on assessment and management of environmental noise; (4) wastewaters due to work-site will be given to the sewerage system of the province by the connection to the sewerage system; (5) excavation wastes will be deposited to the excavation waste disposal area licensed by the relevant municipality; (6) proper notification signs will be placed to maintain the security of the public and local people; (7) signposting, warning signs, barriers, and traffic diversions: site will be clearly visible and the public warned of all potential hazards; and (8) all equipment's will be tested according to the national and international standards against arc and sparks.
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The development objective of the Power Recovery Project for Albania is to improve reliability of supply and financial viability of the power sector.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures include: (1) in case of coinciding with any cultural asset, the construction will be stopped immediately and the cultural and natural assets protection committee will be informed; (2) loading and unloading will be carried out with care and without scattering. In order not to lead to scattering, loading and unloading works will be performed in an area allocated for loading and unloading and water sprays will be used in loading and unloading area; (3) the continuous work-site noise (day times) will be ensured to be under 70 decibel (dba) (according to the Albanian regulation on assessment and management of environmental noise; (4) wastewaters due to work-site will be given to the sewerage system of the province by the connection to the sewerage system; (5) excavation wastes will be deposited to the excavation waste disposal area licensed by the relevant municipality; (6) proper notification signs will be placed to maintain the security of the public and local people; (7) signposting, warning signs, barriers, and traffic diversions: site will be clearly visible and the public warned of all potential hazards; and (8) all equipment's will be tested according to the national and international standards against arc and sparks.
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The development objective of the Vietnam Industrial Pollution Management Project (VIPMP) is to improve environmental compliance of industrial zones (IZs) on a pilot basis.
... See More + Some of the negative and mitigation measures include: (i) for loss of agricultural land, affected households were offered cash compensation; (ii) for affected structures, losses were paid at replacement cost; (iii) for affected residential land, households were offered one of two options, cash compensation or land-for-land in the resettlement site. The households requiring relocation were provided with rental housing costs, until the finalization of the resettlement site construction scheduled for the end of 2012; and (iv) affected households have been provided with support, assistance and allowances as part of the compensation plans, according to the Government of Vietnam (GoV) norms and regulations, consisting of transport allowances, living stabilization allowance, vocational training allowance, house renting allowance, and special allowances for those who fall under the category of poor and vulnerable affected people.
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This paper reviews the published work on the governance of regulatory authorities in order to identify the basic governance standards that apply and some of the factors that affect the implementation of good governance.
... See More + There are four pillars of good regulatory governance: independence, accountability, transparency, and integrity. The regulator should be operationally independent from commercial and political influences in the exercise of its functions and powers. Accountability is the means whereby a regulatory authority is held responsible for the actions it takes. Transparency refers to the publication of relevant information designed to demonstrate consistency and openness. The fourth governance pillar, integrity, refers to the internal processes that the authority adopts to ensure there is discipline and consistency in its operations and to limit the risks of regulatory staff acting in their own self-interest as opposed to that of the authority and the market. These four elements are mutually reinforcing, in that accountability is necessary to provide legitimacy to independence, transparency is necessary to demonstrate that independence does not lead to abuse or improper behavior, and integrity is necessary to provide the discipline to control the exercise of independent powers. Available evidence suggests that independence and accountability are far from being universally applied in practice. The paper concludes with some practical suggestions that experience indicates are likely to enhance the effectiveness of the governance of securities regulators. Good governance of the securities regulator is necessary for effective regulation. It is also of importance in setting an example to encourage good corporate governance in the private sector.
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Policy Research Working Paper WPS6800 MAR 01, 2014
The Dasu Hydropower Project (DHP) for Pakistan seeks to modernize and expand the energy sector of the country, while shifting from thermal generated electricity to low cost and high reward, clean generation of hydropower.
... See More + This environmental and social assessment report describes the potential environmental and social impacts of the project, and provides a framework with which to review and address these impacts. Significant potential impacts identified are: changes in physiography and landform; loss of natural vegetation and trees; impact of increased traffic and transportation; loss of bridges and access roads connecting villages on right bank; effects of land acquisition; impacts on river habitat due to construction activities and drying of river section between two coffer dams; fish entrapment and mortality; potential risk of pollution of air, noise, soil and water resources by construction works; risk of pollution from solid waste and waste effluents; increased risk of landslides; noise pollution; and impacts from increased human activities on flora and fauna. Appropriate mitigation measures such as developing and implementing a landscape plan in the project footprint areas; planting of native trees near resettlement villages and along roads and promotion of use of alternatives for fuel; traffic management plan, including awareness raising and safety measures; implementing resettlement action plan and providing adequate compensation; controlling waste water and sediment releases to river and implementing water quality management protocols; protection measures at inlets of tunnels to deter movement of fish; and pollution prevention plans to be prepared and implemented by contractors, are suggested to help minimize or avoid these adversities.
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Ratings for the Reducing Technical Barriers for Entrepreneurship and Trade Project for Kyrgyz Republic were as follows: outcomes were moderately satisfactory, risk to development outcome was substantial, Bank performance was moderately satisfactory, and Borrower performance was moderately satisfactory.
... See More + Some lessons learned included: continuity of Bank staff in charge of project supervision is critical to the success of projects that operate in a challenging environment. The linkage between project components, outputs, and outcomes needs to be clearly identified at project design stage to arrive at more realistic project development objectives (PDOs). PDOs need to be supported by project components that are consistent with the results framework. An effective mechanism to jump-start institutional development of newly-formed entities and to speed up the learning curve is to organize twinning arrangements with well-known institutions that are committed to the sponsorship of best practices. Projects with complex technical components should be allowed more time for implementation or its principal components structured as separate consecutive projects.
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Implementation Completion and Results Report ICR2731 SEP 30, 2013
This sectoral environmental assessment for the Yemen Rural Access Improvement Program identifies expected negative environmental impacts from the project and recommends measures to mitigate them.
... See More + Included among these are the following: locate and select sites so as to minimize environmental damage or disruption to current agricultural or other activities. Minimize permanent land taking. Stabilize slopes or use protective measures such as retaining walls, protection barriers, terracing or mesh gabion works. Provide adequate living and sanitation facilities for the workers, including an approved plan for solid and liquid waste disposal. Have an approved management and safety plan for storage of equipment, petroleum products, paving materials, etc., so as to minimize risk of spillage or leakage, as well as safety and emergency response procedures. At the end or the contract period, leave the site compound in a clean and rehabilitated condition. Dispose of excavated materials, removed debris and demolished structural materials and transport to dumping locations. Recover borrow pits and quarry areas. Obtain access authorization for use of water resources and address any local concerns for excessive draw-down on the water table or surface water supplies. Avoid pollution to ground or surface water supplies by providing sedimentation/septic tanks, water-incepting ditches and drains to prevent contamination of water resources; garbage separation at the source and use of organic material as compost; storage of non-biodegradable materials; temporary drains to dispose of eroded sediments; Limitation of works near wells, or covering them to prevent pollution; waste water management, including use of wastewater to irrigate camp-site plantation; not dumping chemicals, coal tar, asphalt or anything which may pollute the aquifers; refueling of plants or transfer of materials far water courses; pursuing collection and recycling; installing anti-spillage devices in storehouses, workshops and vehicle parks; locating fuel, oil and grease interceptors with impervious bed underneath the parking areas to drain the runoff into the oil interceptors and prevent contaminated discharges; and collecting used lubricants for safe disposal or recycling; building riparian buffers along the edges of ponds to prevent water contamination; and constructing bridges and culverts in the dry season.
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This sectoral environmental assessment for the Yemen Rural Access Improvement Program identifies expected negative environmental impacts from the project and recommends measures to mitigate them.
... See More + Included among these are the following: locate and select sites so as to minimize environmental damage or disruption to current agricultural or other activities. Minimize permanent land taking. Stabilize slopes or use protective measures such as retaining walls, protection barriers, terracing or mesh gabion works. Provide adequate living and sanitation facilities for the workers, including an approved plan for solid and liquid waste disposal. Have an approved management and safety plan for storage of equipment, petroleum products, paving materials, etc., so as to minimize risk of spillage or leakage, as well as safety and emergency response procedures. At the end or the contract period, leave the site compound in a clean and rehabilitated condition. Dispose of excavated materials, removed debris and demolished structural materials and transport to dumping locations. Recover borrow pits and quarry areas. Obtain access authorization for use of water resources and address any local concerns for excessive draw-down on the water table or surface water supplies. Avoid pollution to ground or surface water supplies by providing sedimentation/septic tanks, water-incepting ditches and drains to prevent contamination of water resources; garbage separation at the source and use of organic material as compost; storage of non-biodegradable materials; temporary drains to dispose of eroded sediments; Limitation of works near wells, or covering them to prevent pollution; waste water management, including use of wastewater to irrigate camp-site plantation; not dumping chemicals, coal tar, asphalt or anything which may pollute the aquifers; refueling of plants or transfer of materials far water courses; pursuing collection and recycling; installing anti-spillage devices in storehouses, workshops and vehicle parks; locating fuel, oil and grease interceptors with impervious bed underneath the parking areas to drain the runoff into the oil interceptors and prevent contaminated discharges; and collecting used lubricants for safe disposal or recycling; building riparian buffers along the edges of ponds to prevent water contamination; and constructing bridges and culverts in the dry season.
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The objective of the Sava Waterway Rehabilitation Project for Bosnia and Herzegovina is to improve the operational performance and safety of commercial and leisure vessels on the Sava River, thereby contributing to improved utilization of the river ports.
... See More + Negative impacts include: air pollution, dust, flora and fauna, noise pollution, soil erosion, and waste management. Mitigation measures include: a) prohibit tourist recreational traffic and traffic of high-speed boats in the vicinity of known spawning places; b) provide safe disposal of sanitary waste water from ships in ports. The ships should undertake ballast water management measures in accordance with requirements of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments; c) provide appropriate procedures for managing chemical and fuel storage areas. Fuelling, loading and unloading activities on ships should be conducted by properly trained personnel according to pre-established formal procedures; d) prohibit tourist recreational traffic and traffic of high-speed boats in the vicinity of known spawning places; and e) allow passage of vessels that transport hazardous cargo and substances (chemical, oil, etc.) only with police entourage.
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The integration of consultation mechanisms throughout the policymaking process has proved to be a valuable instrument to help strengthen government-citizen interaction and improve the quality of government policies on key development areas by leading to better designed development projects, more effective service delivery, and improvements in the targeting of benefits.
... See More + By making preliminary policy analysis available for public scrutiny, stakeholders are provided with a means to inform the development of a policy or its implementation. Consultation also helps regulators to balance opposing interests and to identify unintended effects while ensuring transparency to minimize administrative burdens and reduce corruption and rent-seeking. When successful, public participation can have a transformative impact by providing citizens with a platform for active engagement in the development process, and allows citizens to hold governments to account and to better influence decisions that affect their lives. While the benefits of public consultation are widely recognized, the MENA region still lags in the domain of public engagement, especially in regards to providing citizens with mechanisms to engage effectively in the design, implementation, and evaluation of public policy.
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The objective of the Preparation of the Results-Based Road Maintenance and Safety Project is to support the Government of Albania in preparing a Results-Based Road Maintenance and Safety Project (RRMSP) and to enhance the capacity of the Albanian Road Authority in road asset management and road safety.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures include: a) describe the pertinent laws, regulations, permitting procedures and standards governing environmental quality, environmental impact assessments, outdoor works, traffic management, waste management, at the regional and national level; and b) in this analysis, distinguish between significant positive and negative impacts, direct and indirect impacts, and immediate and long-term impacts for the project locations. Identify impacts that are unavoidable or irreversible. Wherever possible, describe impacts quantitatively, in terms of environmental costs and benefits. Assign economic values for each activity. Characterize the extent and quality of available data, explaining significant information deficiencies and any uncertainties associated with predictions of impact. Provide all relevant information in a format which is acceptable and required by the Albanian environmental legislation (if necessary).
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The objective of the Europe and Central Asia Region Capacity Development Trust Fund (ECAPDEV) Grant for the Preparation of the Results-Based Road Maintenance and Safety Project for Albania is to support the Government of Albania in preparing a Results-Based Road Maintenance and Safety Project (RRMSP) and to enhance the capacity of the Albanian road authority in road asset management and road safety.
... See More + Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures include: a) describe the pertinent laws, regulations, permitting procedures and standards governing environmental quality, environmental impact assessments, outdoor works, traffic management, waste management, at the regional and national level; and b) in this analysis, distinguish between significant positive and negative impacts, direct and indirect impacts, and immediate and long-term impacts for the project locations. Identify impacts that are unavoidable or irreversible. Wherever possible, describe impacts quantitatively, in terms of environmental costs and benefits. Assign economic values for each activity characterize the extent and quality of available data, explaining significant information deficiencies and any uncertainties associated with predictions of impact. Provide all relevant information in a format which is acceptable and required by the Albanian environmental legislation (if necessary).
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The main development objective of the Third access to finance for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Project for Turkey is to enhance access to medium and long term finance for SMEs.
... See More + The environmental impact assessment process is carried out to determine the possible positive or negative impacts of proposed sub-projects; to evaluate the precautions to be taken in order to prevent or minimize negative impacts which may damage the environment (for example by construction and mitigation measures); and for supervision and inspection of sub-project implementation.
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