Improving Transport Project Appraisals
In the Islamic Countries
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4.7 Result of project appraisal
Project appraisal is used for the justification of individual projects, at least for those that are
funded in collaboration of international development partners. The updated transport mater
plan has applied a MCA approach to prioritise transport projects.
4.8 Follow-up and learning
Although no information has been gathered on this subject, it is expected that the
implementation of the internationally funded projects is monitored. The extent to which ex-post
evaluation is taking place is unknown.
4.9 Conclusions and recommendations
Conclusions
Afghanistan’s transport network is inevitably part of its development process. As a result, both
the physical infrastructure and the relevant governing institutions find themselves in a phase of
reconstruction and rehabilitation. This is reflected by the following conclusions.
The current situation comes with limitations in the legal and institutional framework. The legal
framework does not provide a basis for transport project appraisal. The institutional framework
is under development.
Recent decades have placed a significant constraint on the capacity of Afghanistan’s Government
in terms of human capital, as well as financial available means. These constraints have slowed
down the reconstruction of existing and development of new infrastructure projects. Given
capacity and financial constraints, projects been thoroughly screened and prioritised in the
updated transport master plan.
Afghanistan is to a large extent dependent on the collaboration with development partners, such
as the WB and ADB. Afghanistan’s Government recognises the importance of PPPs for future
investments and developments to its infrastructure and must therefore push for the
development of a framework for such partnerships.
Policy Recommendations
First of all, the establishment of an enabling legal and institutional framework is recommended.
This framework should clarify the legal requirements of project appraisals. Furthermore, it
should also specify technical requirements such as the methodology to be used and the timing
of the appraisal. Finally, the institutional basis must identify those parties responsible at each
stage of the appraisal process.
Second, in line with the findings of the ADB, it is recommended that a master plan be drawn up
across all transport sectors in order to address the difficulties related to capacity constraints.
These plans must identify future capacity needs based on projects and their respective
priorities. Based on these requirements, public institutions will be able to plan both short and
long-term allocation of resources for the development of future infrastructure projects.
Finally, it is recommended that a PPP unit be established. The objective of the PPP unit will be
to pool existing resources and knowledge in order to optimally establish and maintain PPPs for
the future development of infrastructure investments.