 What is a Country Assistance Strategy (CAS)?
Basic Goals and Objectives of the CAS
Mongolian CAS for 2004-2007
Mongolian CAS for 2008-2011 (Under the Consultation)
What is a Country Assistance Strategy (CAS)?
The Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) is the central vehicle for Board review of the Bank Group's assistance strategy for International Development Association (IDA) and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) borrowers. The CAS document (a) describes the Bank Group's strategy based on an assessment of priorities in the country, and (b) indicates the level and composition of assistance to be provided based on the strategy and the country's portfolio performance. The CAS is prepared with the government in a participatory way; its key elements are discussed with the government prior to Board consideration. However, it is not a negotiated document. Any differences between the country's own agenda and the strategy advocated by the Bank are highlighted in the CAS document. At the end of July 1998, the World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved a policy allowing public disclosure of CAS Reports, at the government request. The new policy also provides that, with the government consent, the Bank issues a CAS Public Information Notice following Board discussion of a CAS.
Basic Goals and Objectives of the CAS The CAS determines priority objectives for economic development of the country and its economic performance indicators. The CAS describes those areas where the Bank is best positioned to provide assistance to a client country. The CAS includes such "sections" as socioeconomic development indicators and key objectives for economic development of the country; a brief description of the reform program adopted by the government, and a set of measures for cooperation with the country, as proposed by the World Bank Group. The CAS discussion process inside of the World Bank Group goes through several stages: (a) discussion by the Operations Committee of the Bank; (b) discussion by the top management of the Bank, and (c) review and discussion by the Board that represents opinions and interests of over 180 member countries of the Bank and has the right to make a final decision. More information:
 Main World Bank CAS Website
Pickup a copy of the Country Assistance Strategy at the local Public Information Center. Back to top
CAS for Mongolia 2004 - 2007 
A new CAS for Mongolia will guide the Bank’s program of support from 2004 through 2007. The CAS outlines a program of support of about US$88 million over four years—including lending, analytical and sector work, and technical assistance—to support the country’s development agenda. The CAS focuses World Bank support in three main areas: Consolidating the transition to a market economy by removing the remaining structural barriers to effective public service delivery and a vibrant private sector. This includes building a more performance-oriented public sector, improving the delivery of key infrastructure and social services, and reforms to improve the financial, legal and regulatory framework for the private sector.
Reducing rural and urban vulnerabilities by piloting mechanisms to reduce rural risk (such as an index-based livestock insurance project) and enhancing private-sector-led growth in rural areas; strengthening environmental management through expenditure reforms, increasing participation in community-based resource management; improving the coverage and financial sustainability of services – especially water – for peri-urban residents; and improving the viability and complementarity of rural and regional development initiatives.
Aligning policies and resources around results by strengthening the institutional frameworks for implementing and monitoring the poverty reduction strategy; placing greater emphasis on ongoing sector dialogue and strategy work to build consensus around reform agendas; and improving donor coordination.
Lending will support these policy and institutional reforms through a sequenced series of poverty reduction support credits, investment operations based on shared strategies that are aligned with the EGSPRS and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); and strengthening government efforts to coordinate aid and harmonize donor procedures. A program of analytical and advisory activities will underpin this assistance program. Download the Mongolia Country Assistance Strategy CAS for Mongolia 2008 - 2011 Consultation process on CAS 2008-2011 is still continued since the WB started series of consultation meetings with all stakeholders: the Parliament, the Government, CSOs, private sector, external partners and public in March 2007. According to new CAS draft the following 3 pillars are considered as main areas of focus of the WB program in Mongolia for upcoming years based on broad consultations with stakeholders in UB, other cities and aimags. These are: - Enhance the development impact of the mining economy
- Improve rural livelihoods and environment
- Make Ulaanbaatar a more livable city
Please have a look at presentation on CAS Mongolia 2008-2011 More information:
Main World Bank PRSP Website
Mongolia PRSP Page Back to top |
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