Draft Outline

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Draft Outline Municipal Waste Recycling Program Quarterly Report Quarter 2; FY 2018 (January 1 to March 31, 2018) Submission Date: April 30, 2018 Contract Number: AID-OAA-I-14-00066/AID-OAA-TO-16-00026 Activity Start Date and End Date: October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2020 COR Name: Clare Romanik Submitted by: Marianne Carliez Gillet, Vice President for Global Programs Henri Disselkoen, Chief of Party Development Innovations Group 4330 East-West Highway, Suite 1150 Bethesda, MD 20814 Tel: (301) 664-9644 Email: [email protected]; [email protected] This document was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by the Development Innovations Group for the Municipal Waste Recycling Program Task Order. 0 MWRP Quarterly Report – Quarter 2; FY 2018 ______________________________________________________________________________ PROGRAM OVERVIEW / SUMMARY Program Name: Municipal Waste Recycling Program (MWRP) Activity Start Date and End October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2020 Date: Name of Prime Implementing Development Innovations Group (DIG) Partner: Contract Number: AID-OAA-I-14-00066/AID-OAA-TO-16-00026 Subcontractors: -DAI Global -The QED Group Name of Subcontractors: Resource Groups: -Women in Informal Employment - Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO) -The Earth Institute Geographic Coverage: Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia (Countries) Reporting Period: January 1 to March 31, 2018 (Q2; FY 2018) 1 MWRP Quarterly Report – Quarter 2; FY 2018 ______________________________________________________________________________ Contents Program Overview / Summary ................................................................................ 1 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................ 3 2. Overall Program Performance ........................................................................ 4 3. Financial Summary .......................................................................................... 18 4. Lessons Learned and Success Stories ......................................................... 18 5. USAID Programmatic Goals ......................................................................... 20 6. Calendar for Next Quarter’s Program Activities .................................... 20 Annexes: Annex 1: MWRP Results (Detailed Breakdowns by Quarter/Year) Annex 2: Grantee Quarterly Progress Reports - Summaries 2 MWRP Quarterly Report – Quarter 2; FY 2018 ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. INTRODUCTION This quarterly report covers the Development Innovations Group’s (DIG) activities under the USAID-funded Municipal Waste Recycling Program (MWRP) from January 1 to March 31, 2018. USAID has contracted DIG under the Making Cities Work (MCW) IDIQ to provide grants management and technical assistance to USAID in establishing a grants portfolio and recommending approaches for enhanced international cooperation. The grants portfolio is supporting initiatives to recycle waste that threatens human health and the physical environment, and which – if recycled – could generate income and produce energy. Program activities focus specifically on addressing ineffective municipal solid waste management (MSWM) practices and reducing plastic pollution in the marine environment in Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. The focus of MWRP activities this quarter returned to the grants component after a three- month pause in receiving applications and concept notes. In the reporting period, DIG staff concluded the scoping missions for the Development Credit Authority (DCA) and ensured a smooth transition of Indonesia into the Program. On multiple occasions, DIG staff (COP/GM) met with the USAID/Indonesia mission and U.S. State Department, key Government of Indonesia (GoI) ministries, private sector firms, environmental non-governmental organizations, professional associations, the chamber of commerce, and three existing solid waste management and plastic recycling networks. This intensive preparation laid the foundation for a successful outreach effort and subsequent broad-based interest in MWRP. There was excellent participation – 106 attendees – at the MWRP orientation workshop held in Jakarta on February 5 from a range of Indonesian organizations, academic institutions, and businesses. The fourth MWRP submission window (FC-4) closed on March 31 with 30 applications and 35 concept notes. Of the 65 submissions, 36 (55%) were from Indonesian applicant organizations (15 applications and 21 concept notes), evidencing the strong potential in the country. Overall, the grants component of the Program is progressing at a more than adequate pace. Through four quarterly application cycles under the MWRP Annual Program Statement, the Program has received 142 submissions in the form of 79 applications and 43 concept notes. As of March 31, 2018, the total value of grants was $2,188,424. The six MWRP grants under the first funding cycle have moved beyond the planning and mobilization phase and are fully operational in all locations. Each project is proceeding in a satisfactory manner. DIG signed Fixed Amount Award grant agreements for six additional projects in March 2018 under the second funding cycle. A combination of DIG staff (COP, Grants Manager, and Country Liaisons) and the MWRP Alternate COR participated in project launch orientation workshops for the newly selected grantees in the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, prior to the signing of their grant agreements. Four potential grantee projects have been identified under the third funding cycle. DIG completed four pre-award surveys and risk assessment field visits by March 2018 in Sri Lanka and Vietnam to evaluate the projects further. Additionally, DIG – in collaboration with USAID – has endeavored to generate additional interest in the MWRP through a couple of outreach initiatives. In January 2018, DIG and the 3 MWRP Quarterly Report – Quarter 2; FY 2018 ______________________________________________________________________________ USAID/Land & Urban Office conducted a MWRP webinar panel to discuss women and their roles in the solid waste management sector. We delved into this topic further at the MWRP- hosted panel at the World Urban Forum on February 10, 2018, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We are actively looking for other venues to share Program findings. 2. OVERALL PROGRAM PERFORMANCE During the second quarter of FY 2018, the number of MWRP submissions received increased significantly due to renewed outreach efforts in the three original Program countries and the entrance of Indonesia into the Program. This MWRP quarterly report covers the following topics: (1) Implementation status of active grants from the first funding cycle; (2) Grant agreements signed with organizations from the second funding cycle; (3) Program orientation sessions conducted with organizations awarded grants from the second funding cycle; (4) Due diligence field visits to applicant organizations from the third funding cycle with “Apparently Successful” ratings; (5) Status of application and concept note submissions through four project application cycles; (6) MWRP announcement and orientation workshop in Indonesia; (7) Highlights of meeting with USAID/Washington office on gender empowerment; (8) Highlights of meetings with USAID missions in Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka; (9) Final report submitted to USAID identifying a pipeline of potential solid waste management and recycling investment opportunities in the four MWRP target countries that could be supported with a USAID Development Credit Authority (DCA) loan guarantee; (10) USAID webinar on women in solid waste management hosted through the USAID Urban Links website; (11) Panel discussion on women in solid waste management at the World Urban Forum held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; (12) Selection of a new Country Liaison for Sri Lanka and Advisory Board members for Sri Lanka and Indonesia; (13) Status of the MWRP contract amendment expanding Program activities; (14) Annual Program Statement (APS) and Questions & Answers section that were updated and posted on the USAID Urban Links website; (15) Status of Earth Institute and WIEGO subcontracts; and (16) Program reporting activity and request to modify the time frame for submission of the MWRP quarterly reports. The following sections describe major Program activities during this quarter: 4 MWRP Quarterly Report – Quarter 2; FY 2018 ______________________________________________________________________________ (1) Implementation status of active grants from the first funding cycle After six months, the first six MWRP grants have moved beyond the planning and mobilization phase and are fully operational in all locations. The two grants in Vietnam experienced some delay in fully mobilizing due to their need to secure project certification from the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA).1 The Center for Environment & Community Research (CECR) in Danang City had its official project launch on March 7, attended by Danang City Representatives and USAID/Vietnam representatives. Each of the MWRP projects is proceeding in a satisfactory manner. Henri Disselkoen, Bryan Winston, and the Country Liaisons – Conchita Ragragio (Philippines), Vinh Nguyen (Vietnam), and Sugumar Rajaratnam (Sri Lanka) – are monitoring project activities through regular telephone conversations with grantee project managers.
Recommended publications
  • Building Bridges Or Breaking Bonds? the Belt and Road Initiative and Foreign Aid Competition
    AAIDDATA Research Lab at William & Mary WORKING PAPER 72 April 2019 Building Bridges or Breaking Bonds? The Belt and Road Initiative and Foreign Aid Competition Krishna Chaitanya Vadlamannati School of Politics & International Relations University College Dublin Yuanxin Li School of Politics & International Relations University College Dublin Samuel Brazys School of Politics & International Relations University College Dublin Alexander Dukalskis School of Politics & International Relations University College Dublin Abstract China’s renewed prominence is the most important development in international relations in the 21st century. Despite longstanding rhetoric of its own “peaceful rise”, China is increasingly viewed as a long-term strategic competitor, especially in the United States. Foreign aid is one arena where this competition may be playing out. While Western foreign aid principles have emphasized coordination and harmonization, the rise of China as a major development partner has raised the specter of a return to competitive foreign aid practices. Most notably, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has received a wary reception by some who view it primarily as a geostrategic effort. We test if the BRI is inducing a competitive foreign aid response by evaluating if countries involved in this initiative are more likely to receive US support for loan packages from the major, Western, multilateral development banks (MDBs). Using an instrumental variable approach, covering 6975 project/loan packages in 16 MDBs from 157 countries during 2013-2018 period, we find that the United States is more likely to vote for MDB packages to countries that have signed on to the BRI, predominantly when the actual amount of Chinese aid flowing to those countries is still low, suggesting the US is competing for “in play” countries.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 JETRO Survey on Business Conditions of Japanese Companies in Asia and Oceania
    2019 JETRO Survey on Business Conditions of Japanese Companies in Asia and Oceania November 21, 2019 Asia and Oceania Division and China and North Asia Division, Overseas Research Department, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Copyright © 2020 JETRO. All rights reserved. 1 Key Points (1) Results of JETRO’s 2019 Survey on Business Conditions of Japanese Companies in Asia and Oceania Business confidence of Japanese-affiliated companies significantly worsened 1. Business confidence slowed down in almost all the countries/regions. Intention to expand business also decreased. (pp.16–19, 21–22) The business confidence of Japanese-affiliated companies slowed down in almost all countries/regions. Intention to expand business also decreased. As a reason for this, many companies answered with “Sales decrease in local markets.” Business confidence turned negative in all countries/regions in Northeast Asia (China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong/Macau) for the first time in 10 years. On the other hand, many companies (excluding companies in South Korea and Hong Kong/Macau, etc.) expect that their business confidence will improve in 2020. Hong Kong: The confusion of protests continued. The business confidence of Japanese-affiliated companies worsened. After the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill was submitted by the government to the Legislative Council of Hong Kong in March 2019, while protest movements and demonstrations continued in Hong Kong, where the DI for 2019 was the second lowest, at -8.4 percentage points (pp) to the lowest in 2009 (-26.9 pp). As the reason for the decreased operating profit forecast, “Sales decrease in local markets” was cited.
    [Show full text]
  • Performance Report 2018
    ©2018 Department of External Resources Department of External Resources The Secretariat (3rd Floor) P.O. Box 277 Colombo 00100 Sri Lanka [email protected] http://www.erd.gov.lk Overview Foreign Financing Performance by Divisions Asian Development Bank Division East Asia Division - Japan - Korea World Bank and IMF Division China and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Division Middle East and South Asia Division - Middle East Countries - South Asia Countries Advanced Economies Division United Nation Agencies and Technical Assistance Division - United Nation Agencies - Technical Assistance Capital Market and Investment Division Debt Management Division Sector Coordination and Performance Monitoring Division Administration and Financial Performance Vision Shaping the future of Sri Lanka by mobilizing global knowledge, expertise and external financing for accelerated economic growth Mission Facilitate mobilization of external financing at affordable cost with minimum conditionality in support of the economic and social development of Sri Lanka while supporting long term debt sustainability of the country Our Objectives Mobilize external resources at affordable cost to finance development needs in priority sectors Facilitate the effective and efficient utilization of external resources Contribute to maintain long – term external debt sustainability of the country Contribute to the human resource development in the public sector by facilitating effective utilization of foreign training opportunities Continue to strengthen the capacity of
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2018. National STD/AIDS Control
    ANNUAL REPORT 2018 National STD/AIDS Control Programme Email: [email protected] Tel : +94 11 266 7163 Web : www.aidscontrol.gov.lk Address: 29, De Saram Place, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka Annual Report 2018 Compiled by: Strategic Information Management (SIM) Unit, National STD/AIDS Control Programme. Published by: National STD/AIDS Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka. ISSN 2345-9018 9 772345 901007 II National STD/AIDS Control Programme Sri Lanka Annual Report 2018 Table of Contents List of figures iV List of tables Vl Foreword Vll Acknowledgement Vlll Abbreviations lX 1. Introduction 1 2. Situation of HIV epidemic in Sri Lanka 4 3. AIDS Epidemic Modeling 2018 12 4. Sexually transmitted infections in Sri Lanka 19 5. Monitoring of STD services - 2018 26 6. Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance, 2017/18 36 7. National size estimation of key populations in Sri Lanka – 2018 39 8. HIV testing services 42 9. HIV treatment and care services 46 10. Post exposure prophylaxis for HIV 51 11. Condom promotion 54 12. Elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis 57 13. Laboratory services of NSACP 64 14. Multi-sectoral response to the HIV epidemic 71 15. CDC supported activities during 2018 76 16. USAID-FHI360 partnership with Sri Lanka 80 17. Sexual health services in Northern and Eastern provinces 83 18. Global Fund (GF) supported activities 85 19. Peer-led Targeted interventions 88 20. Electronic Information Management System (EIMS) 90 21. Training and capacity building during 2018 92 22. IEC and advocacy programmes 95 23. World AIDS Day 2018 98 24.
    [Show full text]
  • Progress Report - 2018
    MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND CIVIL AVIATION PROGRESS REPORT - 2018 7th Floor, Sethsiripaya, Stage II, Battaramulla I THE PROGRESS REPORT 2018 - PREPARED FOR THE BUDGETARY COMMITTEE STAGE - 2019 Prepared by: Planning Division Ministry of Transport & Civil Aviation February 2019 II Contents Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation: Vision and Mission v Message of the Hon. Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation vii Message of the Hon. State Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation ix Message of the Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation xi 1. Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation..................................1 1.1 Functions of the Ministry ...........................................1 1.2 Institutions coming under the Ministry.................................2 1.3 Towards a country with an effective transport service .....................2 1.4 New Railway Development Projects ..................................7 2. Sri Lanka Railways . 15 2.1 Introduction .....................................................15 2.2 Overall Analysis .................................................15 2.3 Performance Indicators ............................................17 2.4 Infrastructure....................................................18 2.5 Financial Progress ...............................................22 2.6 Challenges & Issues .............................................22 2.7 Projects implemented in 2018 and expected activities in future in order to enhance the quality and reliability of train service. ......................23
    [Show full text]
  • ADA Annual Report 18.Pdf (6132K)
    ADA Annual Report January – December 2018 Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................................. 4 Foreword .............................................................................................................................. 4 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 6 2. Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 6 3. ADA Activities: 2017-18 ................................................................................................ 6 3.1. Capacity Building on strategic planning .................................................................... 9 3.1.1. National Level ....................................................................................................... 9 3.1.1.1. CSO partnership for implementing SDGs: Hanoi, Vietnam, 24 April, 2018 .......... 9 3.1.1.2. ADA National Meeting on SDGs in Singapore : Challenges and Implications for Civil Society in Asia ............................................................................................................... 9 1.1.1. Sub Regional Level: ............................................................................................. 10 Gl-ocal advocacy Leadership Academy – Central Asia, Almaty, Kazakhstan (10-12 December 2018) ..........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2018
    74 INCB REPORT 2018 C. Asia the latest drug situation, discussed related strategic and operational responses, and considered the progress made in implementing the recommendations contained in the East and South-East Asia outcome document of the special session of the General Assembly on the world drug problem held in 2016. 1. Major developments 571. As closer economic integration among ASEAN 567. The illicit production of opium in the Golden countries accelerates, transnational organized criminal Triangle seems to have reduced over the reporting period, groups are further expanding their illicit activities, taking as has trafficking in the substance from the Golden advantage of better infrastructure and transport links Triangle to other parts of East and South-East Asia. In within the region, while exploiting vulnerable borders. particular, the total area under illicit opium poppy culti- Jointly organized by the Government of Thailand and vation in Myanmar decreased from 55,500 ha in 2015 to UNODC, a high-level conference was held in May 2018 41,000 ha in 2017, the first considerable reduction since to discuss major cross-border challenges and identify 2012. The amount of heroin and morphine originating in practical solutions for strengthening border management the Golden Triangle that was seized in the region also capacities. About 200 senior government officials and rep- went down. Such developments, together with declining resentatives from various international organizations opium prices and the diminishing popularity of heroin as attended the meeting. a drug of abuse, all signify the shrinking dominance of opium in the region. 572. Together with representatives of UNODC, senior 568.
    [Show full text]
  • The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Annual Report 2018-2019
    THE CEYLON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Annual Report 2018/19 The progress of the nation has always been our greatest interest. Measured among other indicators by a respect for democratic values, real progress highlights economic as well as social development. This year too, amidst political and economic challenges, we made every endeavour to ensure that we remained relevant to the needs of our membership while also standing firm to respect the value system that will bring meaning to what is seen as progress. As we celebrated 180 years since the establishment of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, we sought to expand our services to respond to the ever-changing business landscape and the resulting need of the mercantile community to enhance knowledge and skills that will ensure success in a fast changing world order. At all times, in all that we do, we have honoured the principle that the greater interest of the nation is accorded the highest priority. CONTENTS Vision, Mission and Mark of Quality 03 Highlights of Flagship Events 04 What We Do At CCC... 09 Statement of Financial Position - Summary 10 Statement of Comprehensive Income - Summary 11 Revenue Growth Analysis 12 Non-Current Assets 13 Equity and Reserves 14 Stewardship Message from the Chairperson 17 Message from the Secretary General and CEO 19 Board of Directors 21 The Committee of the Chamber 24 Management Team of the Chamber 26 Chamber Team 28 Chamber Overview Chamber Services 35 Policy Advocacy 41 Bilateral Business Promotion 44 Events 54 Governance Corporate Governance 59 Risk Management 67 HR Management 69 CSR and Sustainability 72 Partners 73 Financial Information Independent Auditor’s Report 98 Statement of Financial Position 100 Statement of Comprehensive Income 101 Statement of Changes in Funds 102 Statement of Cash Flows 103 Notes to the Financial Statements 105 Ten Year Summary 131 VISION To be the benchmark Chamber of Commerce in the Asia Pacific region and the driving force in national economic and social development.
    [Show full text]
  • 1. World Energy Issues Monitor 2019
    World Energy Issues Monitor 2019 ABOUT THE WORLD ENERGY COUNCIL ABOUT ISSUES MONITOR The World Energy Council is the principal impartial The World Energy Issues Monitor provides a snapshot of network of energy leaders and practitioners promoting what keeps CEOs, Ministers and experts awake at night in an affordable, stable and environmentally sensitive over 90 countries. The monitor helps to define the world energy system for the greatest benefit of all. energy agenda and its evolution over time. It provides a high-level perception of what constitute issues of critical Formed in 1923, the Council is the UN-accredited global uncertainty, in contrast to those that require immediate energy body, representing the entire energy spectrum, action or act as developing signals for the future. It is with over 3,000 member organisations in over 90 an essential tool for understanding the complex and countries, drawn from governments, private and state uncertain environment in which energy leaders must corporations, academia, NGOs and energy stakeholders. operate, and a tool through which one can challenge We inform global, regional and national energy strategies one’s own assumptions on the key drivers within the by hosting high-level events including the World Energy energy landscape. Congress, publishing authoritative studies and working through our extensive member network to facilitate the This tenth iteration of the monitor is based on insights world’s energy policy dialogue. provided by more than 2,300 energy leaders to provide 50 national assessments across six world regions. Further details at www.worldenergy.org and @WECouncil In addition to this report, the interactive online Issues Monitor tool allows the visualisation of the data that Published by the World Energy Council 2019 underpins the Issues Maps.
    [Show full text]
  • An Overview of Ecosystem Service Studies in a Tropical Biodiversity Hotspot, Sri Lanka: Key Perspectives for Future Research
    Review An Overview of Ecosystem Service Studies in a Tropical Biodiversity Hotspot, Sri Lanka: Key Perspectives for Future Research Chaya Sarathchandra 1,2 , Yirga Alemu Abebe 3,4 , Iresha Lakmali Wijerathne 2, Sasith Tharanga Aluthwattha 5,6 , Sriyani Wickramasinghe 2 and Zhiyun Ouyang 1,* 1 Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; [email protected] 2 Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale 50300, Sri Lanka; [email protected] (I.L.W.); [email protected] (S.W.) 3 State Key Laboratory of Super Lattices and Microstructures, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100083, China; [email protected] 4 Department of Electrical and computer engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Institute of Technology, Hawassa University, Hawassa P.O. Box 05, Ethiopia 5 Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Daxuedonglu 100, Nanning 530004, China; [email protected] 6 State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Daxuedonglu 100, Nanning 530004, China * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +86-13910780501 Abstract: Tropical island countries are often highly populated and deliver immense ecosystem service benefits. As human wellbeing depends on these ecosystems, proper management is crucial in the resource-rich tropical lands where there is less related research. Though ecosystem service and Citation: Sarathchandra, C.; Abebe, biodiversity studies are a promising path to inform the ecosystem management for these mostly Y.A.; Wijerathne, I.L.; Aluthwattha, developing countries, published evidence of using ecosystem service studies in decision making S.T.; Wickramasinghe, S.; Ouyang, Z.
    [Show full text]
  • World Economic Situation and Prospects 2018
    World Economic Situation and Prospects 2018 asdf United Nations New York, 2018 The report is a joint product of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Af- fairs (UN/DESA), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the five United Nations regional commissions (Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)). The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) also contributed to the report. For further information, visit https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/ or contact: DESA ECLAC MR. LIU ZHENMIN, Under-Secretary-General MS. ALICIA BÁRCENA, Executive Secretary Department of Economic and Social Affairs Economic Commission for Latin America Room S-2922 and the Caribbean United Nations Av. Dag Hammarskjöld 3477 New York, NY 10017 Vitacura USA Santiago, Chile ☎ +1-212-9635958 Chile [email protected] ☎ +56-2-22102000 [email protected] UNCTAD DR. MUKHISA KITUYI, Secretary-General ESCAP United Nations Conference on Trade DR. SHAMSHAD AKHTAR, Executive Secretary and Development Economic and Social Commission for Asia Room E-9042 and the Pacific Palais de Nations United Nations Building 1211 Geneva 10 Rajadamnern Nok Avenue Switzerland Bangkok 10200 ☎ +41-22-9175806 Thailand [email protected] ☎ +66-2-2881234 [email protected] ECA MS. VERA SONGWE, Executive Secretary ESCWA United Nations Economic Commission for Africa MR. MOHAMED ALI ALHAKIM, Executive Secretary Menelik II Avenue Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia P.O. Box 3001 P.O.
    [Show full text]
  • External Sector Developments and Policies
    5 EXTERNAL SECTOR DEVELOPMENTS AND POLICIES 5.1 Overview ri Lanka’s external sector experienced 2018. Meanwhile, adverse developments in the significant pressure, particularly during political environment towards the end of the year the second half of 2018, due to both led to subdued investor sentiment, intensifying Sexternal and domestic factors, while the policy the pressure in the external sector. Considering measures taken helped increase resilience these developments, the Central Bank and towards the end of the year. On the external government initiated measures to curtail front, the broad-based strengthening of the US non-essential imports by way of increasing dollar following the policy interest rate hikes in tariff and margin requirements, reducing the the USA resulted in foreign investment outflows loan-to-value ratios, suspending the use of from emerging markets, including Sri Lanka. On permits for vehicle imports, among others. the domestic front, the trade deficit expanded Consequently, the external sector began to more than expected during the first three witness improved resilience towards the end quarters of the year, as the growth of import of the year as the trade deficit decelerated expenditure outpaced the growth of export markedly, reflecting the impact of policy earnings. Reflecting the impact of the expanded measures adopted to curtail imports, while the trade deficit and heightened capital outflows financial account began to strengthen with some on the back of tightening global financial inflows into the government securities market, market conditions, the liquidity conditions in the and the moderation of foreign investment domestic foreign exchange market remained outflows due to an improvement in the external mostly tight during the second half of 2018.
    [Show full text]