Corporate Evaluation Study: Role of Technical Assistance in ADB Operations (Complete Report)

Abstract

As Asia and the Pacific’s countries are moving up the development ladder, they are facing increasingly varied and specific challenges. The mix of support needed from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has evolved from basic infrastructure investments and capacity development to more technical or specialized knowledge transfer. Over time, ADB has responded by placing greater emphasis on support for reforms, policy development, research, regional priorities, and knowledge management. Most recently, ADB has aimed to increase its development effectiveness through Finance ++, which combines provision of finance, leverage of resources through partnerships, and knowledge solutions. The April 2014 midterm review of Strategy 2020 recommended a sharpening and rebalancing of ADB operations, and greater responsiveness, which has significant implications for technical assistance (TA). Given this context, both demand for and supply of TA are continuing to change.