DESCRIPTION:
Since 2003, the World Bank has channeled substantial financial and technical support to implementing Customs reforms in Afghanistan, confined within two key projects: (i) Second Customs Reform and Trade Facilitation Project (SCRTFP); and (ii) Emergency Customs Modernization and Trade Facilitation Project (ECMTFP). Acknowledging the critical role of public revenue generation in financing the Decade of Transformation, the World Bank has commissioned an assessment of the outcome, efficiency and sustainability of implemented Customs reforms, with a focus on: The revenue performance of Customs; The overall performance of Customs beyond its purely revenue collection mandate; The political economy of this revenue performance; and, The users perception of the Customs reforms undertaken. The conclusions derived from this work will create a critical evidence base for post-2014 Custom reforms, and for contextualizing the roles, responsibilities and leveraging of donor support in achieving and sustaining stabilization and development in Afghanistan.
ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN:
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Completed a desk review of all available material.
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Provided an analytical framework based on the frameworks used in the projections and available analytical work.
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Assessed the achievement of development objectives initially within the confines of the SCRTFP results framework using specifically the Altai Perception Survey and the draft Customs Political Economy Report; and in the process finalized the Customs Political Economy Report.
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Undertook a coarse assessment of the revenue performance of Customs since 9/11 and project post 2014 revenue performance with and without continuing support to Customs reform.
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Updated the economic analysis of the Customs reforms for only the WB investments (ECMTFP and SCRTFP) using a broader framework including state building and sustainability.
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Reviewed the Altai Perception Report as well as the questionnaire, and propose changes/improvements.
OUTCOME:
Detailed impact assessment looking at economic and financial rates of return on investment of the customs reform program.
PROJECT DETAILS:
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CLIENT:
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Afghanistan
World Bank
2013N/A
Consulting
Trade
Second Customs Reform and Trade Facilitation Project Results and Efficiency Evaluation
Geopolicity did an outstanding job for the Sixth Regional Economic Cooperation Conference (RECCA), which was held in 2015 in Kabul by conducting a review of regional mega projects under the "The Silk Road through Afghanistan" strategic framework. The quality of analysis and its world-class production made the participants to have a serious look to the importance of the regional cooperation and its economic benefits through this framework. A year later, many projects restarted and by mid-2016, Afghanistan and China signed an MoU on "One Belt One Road" to realize the framework discussed at the RECCA and the first train arrived to Afghanistan from China in September 2016.
Wahidullah Waissi, Former Director-General of Economic Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador of Afghanistan to Australia