DESCRIPTION:

Geopolicity led the development of the US$10 billion economic and infrastructure development program (EID), including the development of a national growth strategy, macroeconomic and long-term fiscal framework and sector costing, as part of the PRSP. This included significant SME development, the development and costing of national programs in SMEs, urban development, Regional Resource Corridors, Mining, and eGovernance as part of the new growth strategy. Results were presented at the Kabul International Conference in July 2010, attended by President Hamid Karzai, UNSG Ban Ki-moon, Secretary Clinton (US State) and more than 50 foreign ministers. The updated work is now central to in-country growth thinking as part of the Afghan National Development Strategy.

 

In designing the EID program, Geopolicity led the development of a series of key conditions that needed to be established to ensure Afghanistan’s growth prospects and to counter the effects of the resource curse, which restricts sustainable economic growth. Geopolicity supported EID ministries, and other key stakeholders and highlighted their critical role in delivering on structural reforms including but limited to continuation of efforts to reduce fiduciary and development risks inherent in the Government of Afghanistan’s Public Financial Management (PFM) system and delivering an enabling environment for small and medium enterprises to operate easily. Geopolicity designed the overall program with a long-term vision, whilst delivering a number of immediate and short-term wins, as part of the overall improved economic governance framework. The six supporting national program objectives as developed by Geopolicity include: (i) connecting Afghanistan to the region, and the rest of the world (ii) progressing Afghanistan’s financial independence through strategic partnerships with extractive industries (iii) delivering cost-effective energy to industries/communities (iv) improving urban livelihoods (v) facilitating private sector led inclusive growth, and (vi) fostering an open information society.

 

ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN:

Consulting services including extensive technical support; led all EID work with GoA and International Community, including (i) Design of National infrastructure development program (ii) M&E tracking and review of 20 national infrastructure projects to assess performance (iii) M&E tracking system and KPI development (iv) Support to national authorities.

 

OUTCOME:

Framework for a US$10 billion economic infrastructure program developed and presented to 20 Foreign Ministers.  Proposal to establish the Afghanistan Infrastructure Trust Fund (AITF), which is now one of the main funds operating in country.  Establishment of the national SME program and Natural Resource Corridor Program.

 

PROJECT DETAILS: