Board of Directors. IN March Attached for information is a paper on the above subject.

Transcription

1 Board of Directors IN March 2015 Quarterly Summary Report on Approved (A) Project Preparatory Technical Assistance Not Exceeding $1,500,000; (B) Technical Assistance Projects Not Exceeding $225,000; and (C) Technical Assistance Cluster Subprojects (October December 2014) Attached for information is a paper on the above subject. For Inquiries: M. Parkash, Operations Services and Financial Management Department (Ext. 6364)

2 March 2015 Quarterly Summary Report on Approved (A) Project Preparatory Technical Assistance Not Exceeding $1,500,000; (B) Technical Assistance Projects Not Exceeding $225,000; and (C) Technical Assistance Cluster Subprojects (October December 2014) This document is being disclosed to the public in accordance with ADB's Public Communications Policy 2011.

3 In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

4 LIST OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS Seq. No. TA No. TA Name Amount ($'000) Date Approved (A) PROJECT PREPARATORY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NOT EXCEEDING $1,500, AZE Third Road Network Development Investment Program 1, Dec BAN SASEC Bangladesh India Electrical Grid Interconnection II Dec BHU Development of Non-energy Private Sector Projects Nov CAM Second Road Asset Management Dec IND Support to Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries Dec IND Madhya Pradesh Urban Services Improvement Program 1, Dec IND Strengthening Municipal egovernance Reforms in Karnataka Dec IND Second Rural Connectivity Investment Program Dec LAO Second Strengthening Higher Education 1, Dec MLD Kulhudhuffushi Harbor Expansion Dec MON Supporting the Credit Guarantee System for Economic Diversification and Employment Dec MON Ensuring Inclusiveness and Service Delivery for Persons with Disabilities 1, Dec MON Regional Road Development and Maintenance 1, Dec MYA Third Greater Mekong Subregion Corridor Towns Development 1, Nov NEP Far Western Region Urban Development Dec PAK Peshawar Sustainable Bus Rapid Transit Corridor 1, Dec PAK Public Sector Enterprises Reform Program Dec PAK Balochistan Water Resources Development 1, Dec PAK Power Transmission Enhancement Investment Program II 1, Dec PHI Municipal Solid Waste Management - Bacolod City Nov PHI Metro Manila Water and Sanitation Development 1, Nov PHI Enhancing Rural Enterprise and Rural Employment 1, Dec PRC Henan Hebi Qihe River Environmental Improvement and Ecological Conservation Oct PRC Fujian Farmland Sustainable Utilization and Demonstration Oct PRC Xinjiang Kelamayi Ecological Forest Infrastructure Nov PRC Ningxia Liupanshan Poverty Reduction Rural Road Development Nov PRC Qinghai Haidong Urban-Rural Eco Development Dec-14

5 2 Seq. No. TA No. TA Name Amount ($'000) Date Approved PRC Shanxi Urban-Rural Water Source Protection and Environmental Demonstration Dec SOL Solar Power Development Nov TIM Urban Services Improvement Sector Nov VIE Support to Border Areas Development Dec VIE Ho Chi Minh City Integrated Public Transport Investment Program Dec REG Greater Mekong Subregion Health Security 1, Dec-14 (B) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS NOT EXCEEDING $225, IND Enhancing Bond Guarantee Structuring Skills in India Nov IND Supporting Sustainable Urban Transport in Aizawl City Nov INO Institutional Strengthening of Baluran and Bali Barat National Park Authorities to Address Biodiversity Conservation Oct MAL Sustainable Urban Management (Green Cities) Support for Follow-up Activities in Melaka, Malaysia Dec MAL Support for Integrating Regional Cooperation and Integration Into the National Development Agenda, Malaysia Dec NAU Tariff and Subsidy Policy Reform Nov PAK Prioritizing Interventions for Financial Sector Development in Pakistan Dec PAK Implementation Support for the Rural Financial Inclusion Facility Nov PRC Green Finance Reform Dec THA Strengthening Financial Transparency of Specialized Financial Institutions Dec REG Development of Guidance Materials and Screening Tools for Incorporating Disaster Risk Concerns in Country Partnership Strategy and Project Preparation Nov REG Support for Clean Energy Financing Partnership Facility Administration Nov REG Technology Transfer for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure Project Development Dec REG Strengthening Disaster Resilience of Small and Medium Enterprises in Southeast Asia Dec REG Strengthening Disaster Resilience in Selected Urban Areas of Southeast Asia Dec REG Support for the Partnership with the Emerging Markets Forum Dec-14

6 3 Seq. No. TA No. TA Name Amount ($'000) Date Approved REG Establishing an Online Platform for Information Sharing to Enhance SME Exports Dec REG Understanding and Arresting Corruption in ADB- Related Activity Dec-14 (C) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CLUSTER SUBPROJECTS REG Support for Implementing the Action Plan for Transport and Trade Facilitation in Greater Mekong Subregion (Subproject 2) 3, Oct REG Knowledge for Solutions - Partnerships-Centers of Excellence (Subproject 1) Dec REG Knowledge for Solutions - South-South Knowledge Sharing Program (Subproject 2) Dec REG Knowledge for Solutions - Knowledge Portal (Subproject 3) Dec-14

7 4 (A) PROJECT PREPARATORY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TA-8790-AZE: Third Road Network Development Investment Program Executing Agency : Ministry of Transport TA Amount ($'000) : 1,400.0 Business Opportunities Listing : 6 January 2015 Date Approved : 12 December 2014 The investment program will widen access to social and economic opportunities via improved road infrastructure in Azerbaijan, and promote regional cooperation and integration for a more sustainable economic development and expanded trade with neighboring countries. Major outputs will be: (i) rehabilitation, reconstruction and widening of over 150 kilometers (km) of strategic roads, including bridges and local roads along east-west corridors from Baku- Shamakhi-Yevlakh/Sheki-Georgian border; (ii) development and operation of tolling for Baku bypass and Alyat-Astara motorway; and (iii) capacity development of the AzerRoadService (ARS) of the Ministry of Transport for sustainable road network management. Major activities of the TA would include: (i) preparatory activities for the inception workshop; (ii) feasibility study covering engineering, procurement, resettlement, economic social, climate, and environmental aspects and their due diligence; and (iii) drafting of report and recommendation of the president (RRP), and the facility administration manual. TA-8823-BAN: SASEC Bangladesh India Electrical Grid Interconnection II Executing Agency : Asian Development Bank TA Amount ($'000) : Business Opportunities Listing : 22 December 2014 Date Approved : 12 December 2014 The project will upgrade the power transmission capacity of the existing Bangladesh and India grid interconnection from 500 megawatt (MW) to 1000 MW. This will allow Bangladesh to increase the import of electricity from India to meet the deficit from increased power demand. The power grid of Bangladesh at Bheramara and the eastern power grid of India at Baharampur were first successfully interconnected in 2013, financed by an ADB loan. The TA will provide the required support to undertake preparatory work and due diligence for the project. It will complete the project design for cross border power trade between Bangladesh and India, and prepare due diligence of the Bahrampur Bheramara power transmission link. TA-8770-BHU: Development of Non-energy Private Sector Projects Executing Agency : Druk Holding and Investments (DHI) Limited Business Opportunities Listing : 15 December 2014 Date Approved : 21 November 2014 The government of Bhutan has tasked DHI, an investment company wholly-owned by the government of Bhutan to identify new industries where commercially viable private sector projects

8 5 could be developed to create more employment. DHI was established on 11 November 2007 under the Royal Charter for Druk Holding and Investments, with the primary mandate to hold and manage the existing and future investments of the government of Bhutan. The key activities of the TA are as follows: (i) assess three business categories which DHI is looking to enter into (i.e., agriculture, pharmaceutical, and eco-business), and evaluate commercial viability and strategic fit to DHI s existing operation; (ii) propose business plans and/or projects in each category mentioned above that are feasible and bankable; and (iii) structure suitable financing plan for the proposed projects. The output is a final consultant s report which includes: (i) commercially viable plans for new business and/or project; and (ii) basic financing structure for the identified business or project. TA-8784-CAM: Second Road Asset Management Executing Agency : Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) TA Amount ($'000) : Business Opportunities Listing : 9 January 2015 Date Approved : 11 December 2014 The project aims to assist the Government of Cambodia with periodic maintenance of the national and provincial roads administered by the MPWT. Its impact will be to preserve the longterm sustainability of national and provincial road network. This will assist economic growth by reducing future transport costs and preserving road connections. This impact is consistent with the sector results framework of the Cambodia Transport Sector Assessment, Strategy, and Road Map. The outcome of the project will be increased financing and capacity for efficient road asset management within MPWT. The major activities of the TA include: (i) preparatory activities for the inception workshop; (ii) feasibility study covering engineering, economic, social and environmental aspects of the project; and (iii) preparation of drafts of the RRP, and the project administration manual (PAM). TA-8787-IND: Support to Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries Executing Agency : Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Business Opportunities Listing : 15 December 2014 Date Approved : 12 December 2014 The government of India s Support to Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) program was approved in FY2005 to support artisans, majority of whom are women, in traditional industries such as khadi and village industries and coir to provide employment to rural artisans and entrepreneurs, improve competitiveness through skill and technology enhancement, and improve marketability of products. The TA will prepare financial projections and scenario analyses, input requirements, and business case for potential products, based on a thorough socioeconomic and gender assessment of the coir and khadi industries. The expected outcome is a well-prepared business case for a proposed project for SFURTI that reflects gender-based and market-related sector challenges. The outcome will be achieved by exploring viable options for developing a sustainable business model which hold the potential for catalyzing private sector investments.

9 6 TA-8816-IND: Madhya Pradesh Urban Services Improvement Program Executing Agency : Government of Madhya Pradesh TA Amount ($'000) : 1,000.0 Business Opportunities Listing : 17 December 2014 Date Approved : 16 December 2014 This results-based lending (RBL) program contributes to the State Government Program for improving urban services in the urban local bodies (ULBs) across the State. It will provide improved and sustainable urban services (defined as water supply, sanitation and solid waste management) to approximately two million people in selected service clusters of the State of Madhya Pradesh (approximately 10% of the State s urban population), and enhance the capacity and strengthen institutional systems of the State to deliver sustainable access to quality urban services. The TA will : (i) undertake sector preparatory work, define the scope of the ensuing program, and undertake: (a) technical and systems assessment; (b) safeguards due diligence; and (c) financial sustainability and economic viability assessment of the ensuing program; (ii) assist the Madhya Pradesh Urban Development Company (MPUDC) in undertaking advance contracting actions for the proposed program by: (a) appointing the program management consultant and design and supervision consultants; and (b) preparing and managing the bids to procure performance-based contractors for urban services in the proposed program clusters; and (iii) assist the MPUDC in establishing results-based indicators and service level benchmarks for the urban services. Status of Consulting Services : Consultants works are ongoing. TA-8820-IND: Strengthening Municipal egovernance Reforms in Karnataka Executing Agency : Urban Development Department TA Amount ($'000) : Business Opportunities Listing : 17 December 2014 Date Approved : 16 December 2014 The project will build on achievements made from several reform programs by the Government of India to augment ULBs administrative efficiency, improve their resource base and widen public participation. It will also take into account the achievements and the succeeding programs to assist state governments improve the quality, accessibility and effectiveness of government services to citizens and businesses with the help of information and communication technology. The TA will undertake sector preparatory work and define the scope of the ensuing project. Specific deliverables include: (i) an assessment/ audit of municipal reform initiatives undertaken by Karnataka Municipal Reform Cell from which to draw lessons; (ii) technical and institutional measures for making the program more effective; and (iii) recommended actions needs to be taken for business process reengineering of municipal reform cell. Key activities of the assignment include: (i) preparing the institutional audit report; (ii) preparing the action plan for strengthening existing institutional structure for timely delivery of reform outcome; (iii) formulating an as is assessment report of existing reform modules and suggest actions for improving/ upgrading the modules; (iv) identifying new modules and strategy for next generation of reforms for improving the function of the ULBs as well as their resource base; (v) preparing an information technology up-gradation plan; and (vi) preparing a capacity building and communication strategy.

10 7 TA-8828-IND: Second Rural Connectivity Investment Program Executing Agency : Ministry of Rural Development TA Amount ($'000) : Business Opportunities Listing : 16 December 2014 Date Approved : 16 December 2014 To improve connectivity of rural communities to markets, district headquarters, and other centers of economic activity, the proposed result-based investment program will connect around 2,800 habitations in the states of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal by constructing an all-weather standard of about 6,000 kilometers of rural roads. It will also focus on improving institutional arrangements, business processes, and associated capacity building, particularly on road asset management and road safety. The TA will assist the government and ADB in assessing the existing nationwide rural road investment program the Prime Minister's Rural Roads Program (PMGSY) system, preparing the program action plan, and other due diligence as needed. It will deliver two outputs: (i) an assessment of PMGSY program, including both technical and system aspects; and (ii) a needs assessment for capacity development, particularly on road asset management and road safety. TA-8837-LAO: Second Strengthening Higher Education Executing Agency : Ministry of Education TA Amount ($'000) : 1,450.0 Business Opportunities Listing : 20 January 2015 Date Approved : 18 December 2014 The project will assist the Government of the Lao People s Democratic Republic (PDR) to improve its higher education system to help meet the country s objectives of increased economic growth and graduation from least-developed country status by The project will provide assistance to enhance quality and relevance of higher education, upgrade the academic and research capacity of the higher education system, and deliver a new campus at Savannakhet University. The impact is increased employment opportunities for higher education graduates by The TA will prepare a project design and detailed costings in line with government policy and strategies and ADB requirements. The design will include a competitive research fund, a pilot student loan scheme, assessment of the regulatory framework for higher education and a feasibility study of the use of public-private partnerships to deliver the campus at Savannakhet University. It will also identify and undertake site preparation at the new campus of Savannakhet University, in order to speed up project implementation. TA-8829-MLD: Kulhudhuffushi Harbor Expansion Executing Agency : Ministry of Finance and Treasury TA Amount ($'000) : Business Opportunities Listing : 16 December 2014 Date Approved : 16 December 2014

11 8 The project is proposed to increase inter-island connectivity and improve access to jobs, health, education and commercial services in the Northern Region of Maldives. It will develop a passenger harbor in Kulhudhuffushi Island to accelerate the development of the Northern Region. The immediate outcome will be improved connectivity and access to socio-economic activities in the Northern Region. The TA will conduct due diligence for the development of a new passenger harbor and related ancillary facilities in Kulhudhuffushi. This harbor expansion project will bring about inclusive socio-economic benefits to the inhabitants in the Northern Region. TA-8792-MON: Supporting the Credit Guarantee System for Economic Diversification and Employment Executing Agency : Ministry of Labor TA Amount ($'000) : Business Opportunities Listing : 23 January 2015 Date Approved : 4 December 2014 The project will provide lending support to the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector by backing the credit guarantee system operated by the Credit Guarantee Fund of Mongolia (CGFM). It will enhance access to finance by SMEs, particularly in rural areas, to diversify the economy through job creation in non-mining related sectors. The TA will perform a comprehensive sector analysis and capacity assessment of the CGFM including preparation of material for the ADB loan proposal. In particular, the TA will: (i) perform due diligence and conduct a comprehensive sector review of SME financing and use of the credit guarantee system, economic and financial analysis, and technical and safeguards assessments; (ii) propose the project design and activities to be undertaken in the form of a draft RRP, including its modality, rationale, policy actions, structure, follow-on technical assistance, project administration manual, and other loan implementing arrangements; and (iii) perform capacity assessment and selective strengthening, as needed, of the CGFM. TA-8850-MON: Ensuring Inclusiveness and Service Delivery for Persons with Disabilities Executing Agency : Ministry of Population Development and Social Protection TA Amount ($'000) : 1,000.0 Business Opportunities Listing : 7 January 2015 Date Approved : 12 December 2014 The project will support the Government of Mongolia in addressing a major social problem by ensuring inclusiveness and delivery of services for persons with disabilities (PWD) in Ulaanbaatar and at the Aimag (province) level. The overall aim is to ensure access of PWD to employment to increase their autonomy and contribution to the economy and the society in general. The project will support the government in complying with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Incheon Strategy for Persons with Disabilities. The TA will carry out a detailed situation and gap analysis for each of the TA outputs (early diagnostic, service delivery, improved accessibility, improved employability and strategic development). Based on the analysis and the participatory process, the TA will design an

12 9 an appropriate project design, including rationale; description of outputs; financing and investment plan; detailed costing, procurement plan, consultant selection, and implementation arrangements; safeguards due diligence and mitigation measures; risk and mitigation measures; legal assurances required; and a design and monitoring framework. TA-8852-MON: Regional Road Development and Maintenance Executing Agency : Ministry of Road and Transportation TA Amount ($'000) : 1,000.0 Business Opportunities Listing : 20 January 2015 Date Approved : 19 December 2014 To promote inclusive economic growth, the project aims to improve local, regional and international connectivity in eastern Mongolia. The TA is required to help the government of Mongolia design the project suitable for ADB financing. It will: (i) review and update the sector roadmap, investment program, a medium-term road periodic maintenance and rehabilitation investment plan; (ii) undertake feasibility studies of the proposed project; (iii) define the scope, design, financing and implementation plans of the project; (iv) develop annual road maintenance works and an operational manual for subsequent periodic maintenance and rehabilitation component; (v) prepare cost estimates and financing plan; (vi) develop institutional development program, including the road asset management, financial management and procurement; and (vii) ensure that the executing and implementing agencies adhere to ADB s Safeguard Policy Statement (2009) covering settlement, environment, social and gender policies during the project design and implementation. TA-8758-MYA: Third Greater Mekong Subregion Corridor Towns Development Executing Agency : Ministry of Construction TA Amount ($'000) : 1,350.0 Business Opportunities Listing : 26 September 2014 Date Approved : 17 November 2014 The project is expected to develop the cities of Mawlamyine in Mon State, and Hpa-An and Myawaddy in Kayin State as competitive economic nodes along the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) East-West Economic Corridor which extends from Da Nang on the coast of Viet Nam through Lao PDR and Thailand to Mawlamyine on the coast of Myanmar. The objective is to strengthen competitiveness of the GMS economic corridors through investing in urban infrastructure in corridor towns. Local economic development in corridor towns will contribute to broader regional economy through increased traffic and trade along the GMS economic corridors. The TA will prepare the project suitable for ADB financing. Specifically, the TA will: (i) conduct sector and subsector analysis; (ii) develop a strategic local economic development plan for each of Mawlamyine, Hpa-An, and Myawaddy; (iii) help prioritize and identify project components for the ensuing loan project; (iv) determine the feasibility of the proposed investments for priority infrastructure construction and improvements; and (v) prepare an institutional capacity strengthening and public awareness programs.

13 10 TA-8817-NEP: Far Western Region Urban Development Executing Agency : Ministry of Urban Development TA Amount ($'000) : Business Opportunities Listing : 17 December 2014 Date Approved : 16 December 2014 The project aims to improve livability and urban services in the municipalities of Attariya, Bhimdatta, and Dhangadhi in the Far Western Region of Nepal through planning, infrastructure investments, and institutional strengthening. Nepal s National Urban Policy (2007) identifies Dhangadhi as one of five potential regional economic centers in addition to the existing centers of Pokhara and the Kathmandu Valley. The TA will develop the project scope, which includes identifying priorities, subproject screening, pre-feasibility and conceptual design. It will also: (i) develop a corridor development strategy; (ii) identify opportunities for and feasibility of regional infrastructure; (iii) undertake rapid assessments for safeguards compliance; (iv) undertake a household socio-economic survey; (v) assess procurement, institutional, and financial capacity of executing and implementing agencies and project municipalities (covering financial management, anticorruption, policy, legal, and capacity issues), and recommend implementation arrangements; (vi) develop the scope of work for the design and supervision consultant (DSC); (vii) assist the EA in recruiting the DSC; (viii) oversee the DSC s outputs during the design phase; and (ix) prepare supporting documents for loan appraisal. Climate change impacts will be assessed in more detail in parallel to the TA since the project area is highly susceptible to flooding and drought. Status of Consulting Services : Consultants works are ongoing. TA-8795-PAK: Peshawar Sustainable Bus Rapid Transit Corridor Executing Agency : Urban Policy Unit (Planning & Development Department) TA Amount ($'000) : 1,500.0 Business Opportunities Listing : 2 February 2015 Date Approved : 15 December 2014 The project will contribute to developing a sustainable urban transport system in Peshawar through the delivery of a bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor, focusing on accessibility and people s mobility needs. It aims at organizing the urban growth and public space along the selected corridor through a transit-oriented development strategy that provides a holistic solution for integrated urban mobility, and bearing a demonstration effect as no modern masstransit system exists in the city yet. The project will be prepared in three stages. Ahead of the TA, a government-financed TA will support institutional and organizational development and will undertake advanced preparation activities. Subsequently and based on the Cities Development Initiative for Asia s pre-feasibility study, this TA will further substantiate and confirm the technical, economic and financial viability and feasibility of BRT for corridor 2. The TA will notably: (i) support the establishment of the Peshawar Urban Mobility Authority and the Peshawar BRT Company; and (ii) produce conceptual plans for BRT and non-motorized transport networks; (iii) undertake preliminary engineering design and cost estimates for corridor 2; (iv) conduct full due diligence along corridor 2, including an environmental impacts study and a land acquisition and resettlement plan; and (v) produce a BRT operations financial model, and initiate an industry transition process with existing bus operators.

14 11 TA-8796-PAK: Public Sector Enterprises Reform Program Executing Agency : Ministry of Finance TA Amount ($'000) : Business Opportunities Listing : 26 January 2015 Date Approved : 15 December 2014 The proposed project will support the government of Pakistan s efforts to restructure and privatize selected public sector enterprises (PSEs). The project aimed at improving PSE performance in Pakistan, as measured by the reduction of PSEs annual losses through implementation of a comprehensive and robust privatization and restructuring program. Through the TA, ADB will provide strategic policy and operational advisory to the government in preparation for the program, and conduct necessary due diligence. The major outputs are: (i) supporting Pakistan s PSE privatization efforts; (ii) ensuring the restructuring of Pakistan s PSEs; (iii) reducing fiscal expenditure in Pakistan s PSEs; and (iv) enhancing Pakistan s regulatory regimes. TA-8800-PAK: Balochistan Water Resources Development Executing Agency : Irrigation and Power Department (IPD) TA Amount ($'000) : 1,100.0 Business Opportunities Listing : 2 February 2015 Date Approved : 15 December 2014 The proposed project is located across six districts in Balochistan in the Zhob, Kacchi plain, Dasht and Hingol river basins. The project will improve land and water resources, agricultural production and farm income of 10,000 rural households by: (i) bringing 10,000 hectares (ha) of new land under cultivation; (ii) improving 20,000 ha of irrigated land; and (iii) protecting 1,500 ha of watersheds. The project will: (a) construct new small dams and flood irrigation (spate) systems; (b) improve 300 km of canals, drains, and karezes (subsurface water channels); (c) develop a satellite-based water information system; and (d) build capacity of the local communities, the IPD, and the Agriculture and Cooperative Department. The TA will: (i) review Balochistan s water policy, plans and institutional requirements; (ii) screen and rank Zhob, Kacchi plain, Dasht and Hingol river basins; (iii) select two high-ranked basins and conduct basins water balance studies; and (iv) prepare feasibility studies of potential subprojects within the two river basins. The feasibility study will cover technical, economic and financial, safeguards, climate change, and governance-related issues. TA-8818-PAK: Power Transmission Enhancement Investment Program II Executing Agency : National Transmission & Despatch Company Limited (NTDC) TA Amount ($'000) : 1,500.0 Business Opportunities Listing : 14 January 2015 Date Approved : 16 December 2014

15 12 The objective of the proposed multitranche financing facility (MFF) is to improve Pakistan s power transmission infrastructure and management. To achieve this objective, the investment program consists of staged physical investments in the high-voltage transmission system, including the rehabilitation, augmentation and expansion of transmission lines, substations and supporting infrastructure. The physical investments will increase transmission capacity to meet growing demand, improve transmission efficiency and energy security, and evacuate additional sources of power. Non-physical investments will focus on increasing the financial management, regulatory relations and procurement capacity of the transmission system owner and operator, the NTDC. The non-physical investments will increase institutional efficiency, cost recovery, competition, transparency and good governance within the sector. The TA will conduct due diligence for the MFF and its first tranche, and assist the EA to undertake advance procurement. TA-8747-PHI: Municipal Solid Waste Management Bacolod City Executing Agency : SURE Global W2Wi Business Opportunities Listing : 14 January 2015 Date Approved : 4 November 2014 The Procter and Gamble Company (P&G) Waste 2 Worth (W2W) TA was approved in 2012 to fund the feasibility studies (including waste analysis and characterization) for the development of a profitable and sustainable business model for the collection and treatment of municipal solid waste into valuable products, including energy, in two pilot cities Angeles City, Pampanga and Cabuyao, Laguna. P&G also brought in SURE Global W2Wi as owner/operator of the projects, should the feasibility studies prove favorable. The disclosure of this TA generated a lot of inquiries from other local government units (LGUs), which have been hard pressed to come up with sustainable solid waste management solutions. Bacolod City in Negros Occidental is one of the LGUs that approached ADB and asked that they be included in the W2W project. The inclusion of Bacolod and District 3 in the W2W initiative will help address the LGUs waste management problems. This TA for Bacolod City government will fund the waste analysis and characterization studies to be conducted for the city and District 3 in Negros Occidental, which together generate more than 500 tons of solid waste daily. The analysis and studies will be done over a twelvemonth period to cover both the dry and wet seasons. TA-8769-PHI: Metro Manila Water and Sanitation Development Executing Agency : Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) TA Amount ($'000) : 1,000.0 Business Opportunities Listing : 11 December 2014 Date Approved : 25 November 2014 The proposed project loan will finance priority water and/or sanitation investments of the MWSS and will contribute to improving the living and health conditions of Metro Manila, the largest city in the country. The project will also provide institutional capacity strengthening to MWSS, including for regulatory oversight, financial planning, and asset and water security management. The TA will identify the priority investments to be funded by the project and assess the existing institution

16 13 institutional capacity gaps to be addressed. It will: (i) prioritize and identify infrastructure components for the ensuing loan project; (ii) determine the feasibility of such investments; and (iii) support the MWSS through a comprehensive review of its capacity for: (a) regulatory oversight; (b) financial management and; and (c) asset and water security management to assess and address potential impacts due to climate change and natural disasters (especially earthquakes). The TA will also relatively quickly evaluate the suitability of an MFF for MWSS financing requirements, and once the government requests for an MFF, will undertake the due diligence needed for an MFF, and prepare the PAM that includes all the information and schedules describing project implementation. TA-8844-PHI: Enhancing Rural Enterprise and Rural Employment Executing Agency : Department of Trade and Industry TA Amount ($'000) : 1,000.0 Business Opportunities Listing : 20 January 2015 Date Approved : 18 December 2014 The proposed project will address key issues to increase rural employment generation through: (i) facilitating an enabling environment for job-creating productive private sector investments in rural areas, including providing rural infrastructure where needed, to reduce the cost of doing business in the rural areas; (ii) encouraging the growth and expansion of rural enterprises, especially agro-processing and rural tourism (including ecotourism) enterprises; and (iii) improving skills of workers and job seekers in the areas of agro-processing and rural tourism. The TA will prepare the feasibility study and the design of the project. It will undertake due diligence of technical, social, environmental, and economic aspects of the project. The TA will be divided into two parts: (i) review of rural employment and rural enterprise projects; and (ii) overall design and due diligence of the rural enterprise and rural employment project including development of inclusive business investments through partnership with the private sector and identification of policy issues. TA-8739-PRC: Henan Hebi Qihe River Environmental Improvement and Ecological Conservation Executing Agency : Hebi City Government (HCG) TA Amount ($'000) : Business Opportunities Listing : 27 October 2014 Date Approved : 20 October 2014 Qihe River basin is a target for intensive economic development, and the environment is deteriorating rapidly. The HCG has been making various efforts for environmental improvement and ecological conservation in and around Qihe River. To improve ecology, water environment, and quality of life in and around Qihe River in Hebi, the project will do re-vegetation in watersheds of the upper and middle Qihe River reaches; and create, restore and protect wetland resources. International best practices for wetland restoration, protection, and creation will be reflected in the design. It will also address flood management and environmental improvement of lower Qihe River including wastewater management in lower Qihe Riverside areas and project management and capacity development. The TA will: (i) assess the technical feasib

17 14 feasibility of the project; (ii) conduct due diligence on the economic and financial feasibility of the project; (iii) review safeguard requirements; (iv) conduct social survey and consultations; (v) develop capacity of the HCG for project management; and (vi) prepare project documents, including feasibility study reports, safeguard documents, and ADB s draft RRP. Status of Consulting Services : Consultant s work is ongoing. TA-8741-PRC: Fujian Farmland Sustainable Utilization and Demonstration Executing Agency : Fujian Provincial Government (FPG) TA Amount ($'000) : Business Opportunities Listing : 5 September 2014 Date Approved : 28 October 2014 The project aims to improve long-term farmland productivity and rural livelihood in Fujian Province using climate resilient and sustainable crop farming systems. The TA will help the FPG prepare the project in compliance with ADB s requirements and following best international practices. It will: (i) assess the project s technical, economic and financial feasibility; (ii) assess safeguards requirements; (iii) conduct social survey and consultations for poverty, social and gender analysis; (iv) prepare project documents according to ADB s requirements; (v) assist the FPG in revising domestic feasibility studies and improving safeguard documents in line with ADB s and the government s requirements; and (vi) conduct training and capacity development. Status of Consulting Services : Consultant s work is ongoing. TA-8767-PRC: Xinjiang Kelamayi Ecological Forest Infrastructure Executing Agency : Kelamayi Municipal Government (KMG) TA Amount ($'000) : Business Opportunities Listing : 26 March 2014 Date Approved : 24 November 2014 The proposed project aims to demonstrate that agroforestry in an arid desert area can be practiced more sustainably and efficiently when conducted in an integrated manner consistent with more inclusive approaches and good-practice water efficient techniques for dry land ecosystems. The TA will examine: (i) issues related to water availability and sustainability, including aspects potentially related to international waters; (ii) financial management capacity of the executing and implementing agencies, and viability of the project activities; (iii) support for inclusive growth; and (iv) environmental impacts. It will also address the following aspects related to the project: (i) assess the technical feasibility of the project; (ii) conduct due diligence on the economic and financial feasibility of the project; (iii) review safeguard requirements; (iv) conduct social survey and consultations; (v) develop the capacity of the KMG for project management; and (vi) prepare project documents, including ADB s draft RRP and key linked documents. TA-8771-PRC: Ningxia Liupanshan Poverty Reduction Rural Road Development Executing Agency : Ningxia Department of Transport TA Amount ($'000) : Business Opportunities Listing : 10 December 2014

18 15 Date Approved : 24 November 2014 The proposed program will support poverty-focused rural road development in the Liupanshan area of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NHAR) under the Outline of Poverty Alleviation and Development Strategy in Rural Areas of China ( ). The rural roads program is expected to promote increased rural incomes and a reduction in the incidence of poverty in the Liupanshan area. The program will support key reforms in the government s transport system planning, programming and evaluation framework. The TA will be provided to support the development of the results-based lending (RBL) program. It will: (i) define program scope and design; (ii) undertake technical assessments to establish program soundness, expenditure and financing, and results; (iii) define capacity development needs; and (iv) undertake program system assessments. Specific activities of the TA will include: (i) development of the RBL program design and management framework; (ii) development of the methodology and data collection plan for the poverty-focused rural road development plan and impact evaluation; (iii) addressing the due diligence requirements and program assessment needed for RBL; and (iv) building knowledge and capacity in the EA to implement a RBL program. TA-8846-PRC: Qinghai Haidong Urban-Rural Eco Development Executing Agency : Haidong City Government (HCG) TA Amount ($'000) : Business Opportunities Listing : 20 January 2015 Date Approved : 19 December 2014 The proposed project would focus primarily on environmentally sustainable urban development in Haidong along Huangshui valley with investments in key municipal infrastructure and services including flood control, solid waste, storm water and wastewater management. The proposed project is multisectoral and technically complex, requiring full scale due diligence in technical, economic, financial, social, resettlement, environmental and institutional aspects, through a project preparatory TA. The TA will: (i) design a project suitable for ADB financing by identifying the most appropriate project components with innovative ideas and approaches; (ii) undertake a rigorous due-diligence of the project components; (iii) provide training to HCG on project development and implementation procedures; and (iv) formulate measures to ensure long-term sustainability of the project facilities. TA-8856-PRC: Shanxi Urban-Rural Water Source Protection and Environmental Demonstration Executing Agency : Zuoquan County Government TA Amount ($'000) : Business Opportunities Listing : 14 November 2014 Date Approved : 19 December 2014 The proposed project addresses key water resource management and related issues in Zuoquan County in an integrated manner, including water quality and quantity, flood mitigation, and soil erosion prevention, as well as related capacity building activities. It is expected to demonstrate the ability and merits of working at the county level to advance the government s goal of ecological civiliz

19 16 civilization. The TA will address the following aspects related to the project: (i) assess the technical feasibility of the project; (ii) conduct due diligence on the economic and financial viability of the project; (iii) review the safeguard requirements; (iv) conduct social surveys and consultations; (v) develop the capacity of the Zuoquan county government for project management; and (vi) prepare project documents, including the draft RRP and its key linked documents. TA-8756-SOL: Solar Power Development Executing Agency : Ministry of Finance and Treasury TA Amount ($'000) : Business Opportunities Listing : 2 February 2015 Date Approved : 7 November 2014 The proposed project will support development of solar power in the Solomon Islands. It will: (i) decrease the cost of power supply by replacing diesel power generation with solar power; (ii) increase access to power through roll-out of a private sector led fee-for-service model; and (iii) reduce greenhouse gas emissions through development of renewable energy. The project will have the following outputs: (i) grid-connected solar power plant put into operation by Solomon Islands Electricity Authority; (ii) solar home systems installed by the private sector; and (iii) enhanced capacity of the project management unit for efficient project management services. A TA is required to: (i) undertake technical design of the project; (ii) conduct due diligence; and (iii) train the implementing agency with ADB s procurement procedures, disbursement procedures and safeguard requirements. Status of Consulting Services : Consultants works are ongoing. TA-8750-TIM: Urban Services Improvement Sector Executing Agency : Ministry of Finance TA Amount ($'000) : Business Opportunities Listing : 23 January 2015 Date Approved : 7 November 2014 The project will provide sustained improvement in water supply and solid waste management services in Dill through the expanded and rehabilitated water supply systems through upgrading of municipal solid waste storage and collections systems, and introduction of formal recycling systems. The TA is required to: (i) assist the National Directorate for Water Services (DNSA) to plan and prioritize investments to improve water supply services in Dili; (ii) assist the National Directorate for Basic Sanitation (DNSB) and Dili District Administration (DDA) to identify and prioritize investments to improve solid waste management in Dili; (iii) assess technical suitability, economic, financial and social viability, capacity and institutional issues, and environmental and social soundness of the project; and (iv) identify measures to strengthen project implementation capacity of DNSA, DNSB and DDA. Status of Consulting Services : Consultants works are ongoing.

20 17 TA-8849-VIE: Support to Border Areas Development Executing Agency : Ministry of Planning and Investment TA Amount ($'000) : Business Opportunities Listing : 20 January 2015 Date Approved : 19 December 2014 The proposed project will help the five participating provinces of Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, and Binh Phuoc to better realize their growth potential and become more closely integrated into subregional frameworks including the GMS, the Cambodia-Lao PDR-Viet Nam Development Triangle Area, and the ASEAN Economic Community. It will improve the project area s connectivity by developing critical transport infrastructure, leading to increased movement of people, agricultural produce, and other goods. The TA will detail a project design that is economically, financially and technically feasible. It will carry out detailed due diligence for technical, economic and financial, environment and social safeguards, gender/ social development and poverty, and governance and policy aspects related to the proposed project. It will also provide advance drafts of the complete set of documentation necessary for project processing. It will prepare feasibility studies and preliminary designs, including all necessary surveys, studies and investigations to ensure project readiness for approval. TA-8860-VIE: Ho Chi Minh City Integrated Public Transport Investment Program Executing Agency : Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee TA Amount ($'000) : Business Opportunities Listing : 30 January 2015 Date Approved : 18 December 2014 The investment program will support the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) Urban Transport Master Plan (HUTMP) by: (a) expanding the extent, connectivity and integration between existing bus systems, proposed mass rapid transit (MRT) and bus rapid transit networks and other public transport modes; and (b) enhancing public transport policy and regulatory framework to increase the use of public transport and reduce dependency on private vehicles. It will also provide sector and capacity development assistance for key transport planning, institutional and public transport policy reform and capacity developments. The TA will focus on developing a series of innovative and transformational interventions which enhance the quality of public transport systems and increase the modal share of public transport. It will assess and prepare the priority investments of HCMC MRT Line 5 Phase 1 project and HCMC Traffic Control Center project. The TA will also develop the overall MFF investment program, further define the proposed components and finalize tranche 1 investments. TA-8842-REG: Greater Mekong Subregion Health Security Executing Agency : Asian Development Bank TA Amount ($'000) : 1,300.0 Business Opportunities Listing : 20 January 2015 Date Approved : 18 December 2014

21 18 The proposed project follows a series of subregional projects supporting control of communicable diseases, including HIV/AIDS and malaria, undertaken from 2006 to In close alignment with priorities of the governments of Cambodia, Lao PDR, the Union of Myanmar and Viet Nam, the project will contribute to the enhancement of GMS public health security, and will strengthen national and regional capacity for disease surveillance and response, risk assessment, case management and subregional collaboration. The TA will review and assess the performance of the communicable diseases control programs (including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria) in the four countries, in particular for migrant and mobile population and identify the challenges which are a bottleneck of socio-economic growth. It will help develop an investment project suitable for ADB financing in terms of technical, financial, economic, institutional, and safeguard dimensions. Status of Consulting Services : Consultants works are ongoing.

22 19 (B) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS NOT EXCEEDING $225,000 TA-8764-IND: Enhancing Bond Guarantee Structuring Skills in India Type of Technical Assistance : Capacity Development Executing Agency : India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited Business Opportunities Listing : 19 November 2014 Date Approved : 17 November 2014 One of India s key development challenges is to meet the infrastructure investment target of about $1 trillion during the Twelfth Five-Year Plan for FY2012 FY2016. The longstanding method of financing Indian infrastructure projects almost exclusively through bank loans is not sustainable. To address this key concern, ADB approved the Credit Enhancement of Project Bonds Facility in August 2012 to support credit enhancements of project bonds. The implementation of the facility, however, has been constrained by the absence of templates for the necessary legal documentation. Potential issuers do not want to assume the costs of developing the product for the first time. This technical assistance will partially finance the incremental costs of developing the legal documentation for three model transactions, based on actual issuances. The template documentation will be disseminated via ADB s website and through a knowledge event in Mumbai. The impact is that the debt market for infrastructure finance in India is expanded beyond banks loans. The outcome is the establishment of a commercially viable credit-enhancement product for infrastructure project bonds. TA-8765-IND: Supporting Sustainable Urban Transport in Aizawl City Type of Technical Assistance : Capacity Development Executing Agency : Public Works Department - State of Mizoram Business Opportunities Listing : 26 November 2014 Date Approved : 25 November 2014 Despite the state government s efforts to develop a concrete urban transport plan for Aizawl city with small scale studies by local resources, no visible progress has been made so far. This is partly due to technical deficiency and lack of know-how to realize the recommendations, and to the unique geographical location. Under the TA, the Mizoram government expects ADB to propose urban transport system development projects to address the medium/ long term needs. The TA will advise the government on the possible financing options to implement the relatively large investment projects for Mizoram with indicative milestones. It will also assess the feasibility to promote the electric vehicles in Aizawl city as an option for the environmental sustainable city development. TA-8745-INO: Institutional Strengthening of Baluran and Bali Barat National Park Authorities to Address Biodiversity Conservation Type of Technical Assistance : Capacity Development Executing Agency : Asian Development Bank