16 March 2010
Find out what the World Bank's strategy is in your country. In some instances, there is a Country Assistance Strategy (CAS), and in others, the Bank has used a more collaborative approach in designing and defining the pillars of their development program, to design a Country Partnership Strategy (CPS).
The World Bank Group has an overall strategy or framework for engagement for each country that it lends money to. This strategy can be in the form of a Country Assistance Strategy (CAS), a Country Partnership Strategy (CPS), both of which typically cover a four year period, or an Interim Strategy Note (ISN), often prepared for countries facing political instability, and which is usually limited to covering two fiscal years. These strategies are usually designed with the country's national strategic vision in mind, and input is sought from various stakeholders in the government, private sector and civil society. Below you will find the World Bank Group's latest lending strategies for:
Egypt
Yemen
Lebanon
Morocco
Tunisia
Algeria
Iraq
Jordan
West Bank and Gaza
Egypt
The previous Egyptian CAS was initially designed to cover the fiscal years 2006-2009. However, the Progress Report that came out in June 2008 recommended that the CAS period extend to cover the fiscal years 2010-2011 to ensure that the new CAS preparation is synchronized with the Egyptian "government's own timetable for strategy-making".
The CAS prioritizes facilitating private sector development, enhancing provision of public services, and promoting equity.
Read Egypt's CAS & progress report
Egypt Country Assistance Strategy 2006-2009 (covers 2010-2011 as well) (World Bank website)
Egypt CAS Progress Report - June 2008 (World Bank website)
Yemen
The World Bank's board of directors approved Yemen's CAS in 2009 and it is set to cover the fiscal years 2010-2013. The CAS was designed in close cooperation between the International Development Assosiation (IDA) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The CAS is essentially derived from the government program as articulated in Yemen's Development Program for Poverty Reduction (which the Bank also plays a big role in) as well as the National Reform Agenda.
The objectives of the Bank's activities in Yemen for the coming years, as laid out in the CAS, are: to accelerate and diversify economic growth; to help enhance governance; help foster human and social development; and to help manage natural resources scarcity and natural risks.
Read Yemen's CAS
Yemen Country Assistance Strategy 2010-2013 (World Bank website)
Lebanon
While there was a CAS that was presented to the World Bank in 2005, in 2007, the World Bank developed an interim strategy to deal with the changes facing Lebanon as a result of the Israeli invasion in 2006, and the domestic political deadlock that the country has been facing since the end of 2006. The interim note is based on three pillars: governance, economic management, and growth support; developing human capital and mitigating the poverty effects of transition; and resource and environmental management.
The Bank is currently conducting consultations with various stakeholders, including civil society, in preparation for their new Country Partnership Strategy, which will be the framework for the World Bank Group's involvement in the country for the fiscal years 2010-2013. To find out more information about consultations, please contact Zeina El Khalil at .
Read Lebanon's Interim Strategy Note
Lebanon's Interim Strategy Note 2008-2009 (World Bank website)
Morocco
A CPS that will cover the period 2010-2013, was recently approved for Morocco. The strategy is based on three pillars: improving growth, competitiveness and employment; improving service delivery to citizens; and ensuring environmental sustainability in the context of a changing climate. According to the Bank's website, "the CPS ensures continuity in the World Bank Group support to Morocco, as well as opportunities for scaling up and expanding engagement to new areas. In addition to consolidating the 2005-2009 CAS Strategic Objectives, the CPS pledges selectivity in the institution’s engagement and focuses the partnership program on activities where the World Bank Group can bring value added. The World Bank will particularly support in facing long term challenges, mainly in reforms implementation."
Under the CPS framework, the Bank intends to lend $US 600 million/year and this would complement the technical assistance and knowledge transfer activities, which is the core of the Bank's programmatic portfolio in the country.
The World Bank Group held consultations with various stakeholders and summarized the debates in a report found here.
Read Morocco's CPS (English/french versions)
Morocco Country Partnership Strategy 2010-2013 (World Bank website)
Maroc - Cadre de Partenariat Strategique pour le 2010-2013 (World Bank website)
Tunisia
Tunisia's 2010-2013 CPS was recently approved, and sets out the Bank's enhanced strategic engagement in Tunisia in support of the country’s 11th National Development Plan (NDP). The Bank plans to disburse up to $280 million for fiscal year 2010 and the CPS lays out an indicative lending program for FY11-13.
Read Tunisia's CPS (English/French versions)
Tunisia Country Partnership Strategy 2010-2013 (World Bank website)
Tunisie - Cadre de Partenariat Strategique pour le 2010-2013 (World Bank website)
Algeria
The previous CAS for Algeria was not made available to the public, however, the World Bank Group is currently preparing the CPS for 2010. The CPS is likely to include a lesser role for the World Bank doing only analytical work and Reimbursable Technical Assistance but the IFC will continue to have a strong presence in the country.
Iraq
The World Bank has prepared an interim strategy note for Iraq for the fiscal years 2009-2011. The strategy has three themes: supporting the ongoing reconstruction and socioeconomic recovery; improving governances and the management of public resources; and supporting policies and institutions that promote broad-based private sector led growth.
Read Iraq's ISN
Iraq Third Interim Strategy Note (World Bank website)
Jordan
The Bank will be launching the new CAS soon. For now, the framework of the Bank's involvement in Jordan, is still based on the CAS 2006-2010.
Read Jordan's CAS
Jordan CAS 2006-2010 (World Bank website)
Jordan CAS Progress Report - March 2009 (World Bank website)
West Bank and Gaza
The stated goal of the World Bank Group's Interim strategy for the West Bank and Gaza is to support the Palestinian Authority's (PA) Palestinian Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP). The Bank's program is based on four pillars: to improve pillars and support fiscal reform; support human development in health, education, and social safety nets; support economic and private sector development; and support public infrastructure development.
Read the West Bank and Gaza's ISN
West Bank and Gaza Interm Strategy Note 2008-2010 (World Bank website)