Country Assistance Strategy (CAS)

The Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) is the most important World Bank country document. It is tailored to the needs and circumstances of each country and lays down the World Bank Group's development priorities, as well as the level and type of assistance the Bank will provide for a period of three years.

The CAS preparation is a participatory process. Before its adoption, key elements of the strategy are discussed with government representatives; and to ensure the widest possible involvement, public dialogues are also held, with Internet-based discussions taking place in many countries.

However, the CAS is not a negotiated document. Any differences between the country's own agenda and the Bank's strategy are highlighted in the CAS document. A progress report is issued in the intervening year. More information is available at the World Bank CAS website.

 

Interim Strategy Note for Angola

Countries in transition from conflict (like Angola) do not have a CAS—instead, the Bank may prepare an Interim Strategy Note (ISN). An ISN is a short to medium-term plan for Bank involvement in the country.

The World Bank's Board of Directors approved the ISN for Angola in February 2005 to cover the Bank’s strategy until June 2006. The strategy intends to help gain stability and support implementation of a pro-poor, post-conflict public expenditure program for the 18-month period which will involve:

 Enhancing the transparency, efficiency, and credibility of public resource management
 Expanding service delivery to war-affected and vulnerable groups
 Preparing the ground for pro-poor economic growth.

Given its post-conflict status and the challenges in implementing current projects, Angola is a high-risk, high-reward country. Lending and technical assistance depends especially on good performance of the existing portfolio and progress in implementing the government’s Estratégia de Combate à Pobreza (Strategy to Combat Poverty)

For more, download the Strategy Note.