Lao PDR: Road Development Program in Lao PDR

DESCRIPTION

The objective of the proposed MCDF grant is to support the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) in project preparation related to the National Road 13 South Extension (NR13SE) Project in Lao PDR, which AIIB is considering financing, and capacity building for the Department of Roads (DoR), on behalf of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) in applying IFI standards. The proposal is instrumental in assisting the Government of Lao PDR in undertaking high-quality project preparation activities and improving the capacity to implement projects in line with IFI standards. Further, the proposal will facilitate the further collaboration of the Government of Lao PDR and AIIB while promoting a new partnership with a potential cofinancier to the project.

The proposed grant will fund high-quality project preparation that will directly improve the regional and international connectivity infrastructure within Lao PDR and demonstrate how implementation challenges and low-capacity environments may be overcome through grant funding. The activities to be financed by the grant will include resettlement implementation consultancy services for NR13SE, as well as capacity building for the DOR in the MPWT to build institutional capacity to better prepare and implement Output and Performance-based Road Contract (OPBRC) projects in line with IFI standards.