Country Assistance Strategy (CAS)

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

The CAS preparation is a participatory process. Before its adoption, key elements of the strategy are discussed with goverment 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.

Profile of Country Assistance Strategy for Cape Verde

The most recent CAS for Cape Verde was presented to the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors in 1997, and then updated with a CAS Progress Report in August 2001. A new CAS for Cape Verde is expected during the 2004 fiscal year; however, due to changing country circumstances and other uncertainties, this schedule is not firm.