World Bank Group Strengthens Its Engagement in Maldives
The World Bank has launched online public consultations for its second Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCD) in Maldives. The consultations invite views from the Maldivian public on what they think are the most important issues and opportunities facing the country and how these can be addressed.
The SCD is a country-specific report compiled by the World Bank Group in close consultation with the respective national authorities, stakeholders and the public. This report forms the basis of the Country Partnership Framework, the strategy which outlines how the World Bank Group’s engagement with the country can best contribute towards achieving the goals of ending absolute poverty and boosting shared prosperity in a sustainable manner.
The first SCD of the Maldives (2016) identified ways to further develop tourism and fisheries, the two main sectors of the Maldivian economy. However, it pointed out that the Maldives’ development model could be adjusted to more equitably deliver to all the sections of society. In the short-term, major challenges exist in managing and preserving the country’s economic, environmental and social resources. The Country Partnership Framework, based on the SCD, focused on opportunities for the local population in tourism and fisheries, as well as creation of new sources of growth which take into account the needs of all the sections of society. The management of the natural and financial resources that contribute to the overall development of the country’s economy and the well-being of its people were also identified as priorities for World Bank support.
Along with the online public consultations for the SCD, the World Bank is launching the first dedicated country Twitter handle for the Maldives, @WBMaldives. This bilingual platform, operating in both English and local Dhivehi language, aims to strengthen and amplify communications on the World Bank’s enhanced engagement with the Maldives while identifying public opinion issues pertaining to the island nation.
“These consultations offer a unique opportunity to assist the World Bank Group and the government’s joint strategy to deliver to all sections of society. We need your opinion.” said Idah Z. Pswarayi-Riddihough, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
The online surveys are open from October 10, 2019 to November 15, 2019, and they are in both English and Dhivehi. This process is complemented by focused group discussions with representation from public and private sectors, as well as civil society organizations. The outcomes of the consultations will be reflected in the next Country Partnership Framework, which will not only reflect the investments proposed but also how they will be addressed.
Source: World Bank
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