Today's talks with WB to focus on admin capacity

World Bank (WB) is highly concerned at the government's administrative capacity constraint that has slowed down state decision-making and implementation, a concern that will feature prominently in the post-Sidr rehabilitation discussions between the bank and the government today.
Visiting WB Vice President Praful C Patel told The Daily Star yesterday that having a small cabinet of only 10 advisers for over 30 ministries puts a serious constraint on the government's administrative capacity.
This is particularly pertinent given the government's massive plan to rehabilitate the southern coast in the wake of floods and Cyclone Sidr this year, for which WB has pledged around $350 million.
WB also voiced concern over how much of the massive $2.2 billion post-Sidr rehabilitation and climate change protection project can be done within the tenure of this government.
"Capacity to implement is a very big constraint," he said, adding that this has slowed down government operations not only in decision-making but also in the implementation of the decisions to an extent that simple administrative processes are not happening.
"Slowing down is also problem," he told The Daily Star in an interview, where he said the WB will stress the matter in today's discussions with the government high officials, including his meeting with Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed.
Patel mentioned reports of donors having to carry files and documents from one ministry to another in order to get things done quickly.
In his meeting with the government officials, which will focus largely on rehabilitation projects in the flood and cyclone aftermath and strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change, Patel will also discuss WB's support plans.
The WB feels that the government's massive southern coast rehabilitation and protection project will require public support in the long run, as the project is likely to run beyond the expected election by 2008-end.
"The national consensus can put pressure for a more time-bound action plan that would not be deflected by the current administration's concerns with holding elections later this year," said WB Country Director Xian Zhu, who was also present during the interview.
With WB already providing above $300 million for post-flood budget support and rehabilitation programs, it plans to work closely with the government to jointly assess the damages caused by cyclone Sidr.
He said WB has already pledged $100 million for short-and medium-term relief and rehabilitation programmes, including cash grants for severely affected households and for food inputs.
"This will be followed by another $250 million for post-cyclone recovery, especially livelihood rehabilitation," he said.
But, Patel added, more funds will come in for medium-and long-term rehabilitation in the Sidr-affected areas, focusing on mitigation, repairs and coastal protection.