IDA Credit for Public Sector Capacity Building Project

   
The International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank has provided a soft loan of US$ 22.6 million (Approximately Rs. 2.5 billion) to implement the Public Sector Capacity Building Project.
The objective of this project is to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency and productivity of the Department of Census and Statistics and the Department of the Auditor General.

The first part of the project is for upgrading statistical capacity in order to improve the evidence base for policy planning and to build a modern,  well-coordinated national statistical system delivering comprehensive and high quality data. Wider coverage, better accuracy and policy relevance of the data will help the policy makers to take well-informed decisions to macro-manage the economy.

The second part of the project is to improve public sector auditing practices and the effectiveness of the public audit function and increase the transparency and accountability of the public sector including state-owned enterprises through strengthening and modernizing public audit. Improving the communications system around the public audit function will foster communications with parliament, auditors and the general public for better understanding and impact.

These efforts will translate into significant improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency of the Department of Census and Statistics and the Department of the Auditor General improving governance, transparency and accountability and saving time and cost. Additionally, this will create capacity for better achievement of the national key development objectives of growth, investment and poverty reduction. Furthermore, the reforms proposed in this project will have a multiplier effect on public sector efficiency and productivity enhancement due to complementarities and links among the two benefiting institutions and related public sector entities.

Implementation of this project will be jointly done by the Department of Census and Statistics and the Department of the Auditor General and expected to be completed within a period of three and half years.