Economics & Development

Ratings for Nepal's Second Bridges Improvement and Maintenance Program Project were as follows: outcomes were moderately satisfactory, bank performance was moderately satisfactory, and monitoring and evaluation quality was modest. Some lessons learned included the following: the program successfully recruited female engineers and provided them with advanced skill training, enhancing their employment prospects in the technical field. Building on this success, the proposed BIMP-III could encourage the absorption of trained female engineers within the DoR by offering career counseling and facilitating connections with potential employers, helping female engineers secure jobs in the industry. The IT systems developed under the Program, such as BMS, BSMS, GRM, and CMS, supported the government's efforts in prioritizing investment, optimizing resources, strengthening M&E mechanisms, and enhancing the overall quality supervision. However, these tools' discrete applications and timely updating are not receiving attention. The proposed BIMP-III could help the DoR establish a single-window policy for these systems, with dedicated operations and maintenance and M&E personnel at the central office to carry out timely updates and maintenance to ensure their functionality. Additional system-related assistance could be provided to troubleshoot any issues that arise during the operation of these tools and help mainstream these tools in the DoR. The government must establish a clear payment procedure under the PforR programs, as the absence of such procedures hinders the disbursement process. It is essential to understand that payments made by the World Bank are contingent upon the results achieved specific to the DLIs, and such payments may exceed the actual expenses incurred. Timely submission of requests to release credit funds based on verified results is critical for the success of the proposed BIMP-III and other PforR programs.

Ratings of the Regional and Local Roads Connectivity Project for Albania were as follows: outcome was highly satisfactory, Bank performance was satisfactory, and M&E quality was substantial. Lessons and recommendations: Urban road designs in built-up areas should be fully integrated into the local context to be functional, inclusive, and to enhance quality of life; future projects should apply complete streets principles, ensure early and meaningful community consultations that capture user needs, provide adequate space for sidewalks, bike lanes, greenery, parking, and services, avoid abrupt terminations and dead ends, ensure appropriate water and drainage solutions, and strengthen construction oversight to deliver safer, more reliable, and climate-resilient infrastructure that connects well with existing networks. An effective implementation model is to work through a capable national intermediary, such as the Albanian Development Fund (ADF), to support municipalities that lack the capacity to access and manage international financial institution financing; future programs should institutionalize or replicate such entities with clear mandates, experienced staff, and standardized tools to help municipalities plan, prioritize, and maintain assets, thereby improving execution quality and sustainability.