Country Assistance Strategy

What is a Country Assistance Strategy ?

The Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) is the World Bank’s work plan that guides its operations in a country, usually for a period of three years. It describes the country's economic and social performance, its main development challenges, and a summary of the government's development strategy.

Within this context, it outlines the World Bank's proposed package of assistance to the country for the period covered by the CAS. This includes all the Bank's planned operations in the country - lending, analytical work, and technical assistance. The World Bank's proposed assistance reflects its mandate as an international development institution and what it is most capable of contributing to the country's growth.

The CAS is prepared in a participatory way; its key elements are discussed with the government and broad segments of civil society. However, the CAS is not a negotiated document. Any differences between the country's own development agenda and the strategy advocated by the World Bank are highlighted in the CAS document.

The CAS is publicly available after the World Bank's Board of Directors in Washington has given its approval, and the borrowing country has consented to its public disclosure.

World Bank's Country Assistance Strategy for Latvia for 2002 - 2005

At the request of the Latvian Government, the World Bank Group is taking a lead role in key areas not explicitly covered by the European Union’s acquis communautaire.   As such, the World Bank’s CAS for 2002-2005 seeks to help all Latvians to benefit from the country’s admirable economic growth by focusing on:

• Creating a policy environment that encourages new enterprise entry and job creation;
• Supporting crucial public sector reforms to make Government more efficient;
• Achieving more balanced and sustainable development outside Riga, thus promoting poverty reduction in those areas;
• Making better social programs and services available throughout the country.

Download:

Latvia CAS - April 2002

CAS in Latvian (502 KB PDF)- Also available in print form at the World Bank's Public Information Center in Riga

More information on CAS Consultations in 2001:

• CAS Web Survey results as of November 9, 2001
• Latvia CAS Consultations with Civil Society Representatives
• CAS for Latvia-Conceptual Discussion Report
• Summary of Consultative Meeting with Public Representatives Devoted to the World Bank Draft Document COUNTRY ASSISTANCE STRATEGY: Latvia 2001(Held October 8, 2001)
• Summary of Consultative Meeting with Public Representatives Devoted to the World Bank Draft Document COUNTRY ASSISTANCE STRATEGY: Latvia 2001(Held November 13, 2001)
  

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