World Bank seeks input for new Philippine partnership strategy

The World Bank opens today, Oct. 23, a series of nationwide consultations for a new country partnership strategy that will set the tone to its 2013-2016 engagement in the Philippines.

The sessions will engage bigger stakeholder groups in broader consultations. Representatives from the government, private sector and civil society will be convening in Makati, Naga, Davao and Iloilo until Nov. 8 for this purpose.

The World Bank prepares a country partnership strategy every three years, so that it can integrate its partner’s development plans along with civil society and business sector principles. The bank’s current three-year plan for the Asian country, which ends June 2013, is in line with the Philippine government’s focus on good governance and inclusive growth. The current strategy supports initiatives on macroeconomic stability, investment climate improvement, resiliency and public service delivery for the poor.

World Bank Country Director Motoo Konishi highlighted the importance of wide participation given the changing development landscape and global economic environment in the Philippines.

“While the Philippines has weathered the lingering global financial and economic crisis with its strong economic fundamentals, much needs to be done to support the kind of growth that generates jobs, reduces poverty, and improves the lives of the Filipino people,” Konishi said in a press release.

The Philippine director is confident that the output, to be presented to the World Bank Group executive board in July next year, will render recommendations covering an extensive range of interests that will form part of the new country strategy.

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