Belize Country Strategy and Programme Evaluation 2011-2015 and 2016-2020

This independent evaluation report covers two Country Strategy and Programme (CSP) periods in Belize (2011-15 and 2016-2020) as well as more recent developments in 2021 including the first 11 months of the new government.This evaluation examines the extent to which the Bank’s programme in Belize has achieved its outcomes and targets and is intended to inform the Bank’s CSP renewal in 2022. The evaluation also aims to offer lessons and recommendations that may be used to improve development effectiveness in Belize going forward; and to provide options for the Bank’s consideration in its future engagement with Belize.

Energy Sector Policy and Strategy 2015-2020

The main goal of the evaluation was to clearly understand Energy Sector Policy and Strategy performance during the 2015-2020 period by answering four overarching questions:To what extent did the ESPS contribute to policy and regulatory improvements in the regional and national energy sectors?To what extent did CDB position itself as a key energy sector development partner in BMCs?To what extent did CDB make appropriate internal institutional adaptations to deliver on the commitments of the ESPS?To what extent did the portfolio of investment projects and technical assistance (TA) inspired by the ESPS achieve their desired results?

Road Safety Project - Belize (2022)

In May 2012, CDB approved a loan in the amount of seven million two hundred and forty-eight thousand United States dollars (USD7.248 mn) to the Government of Belize (GOBZ) to improve road safety. In October 2014, CDB approved an Additional Loan in the amount of USD4.584 mn to revise the project scope following a GOBZ request. The Additional Loan brought the total contribution of CDB to USD11.832 mn, with counterpart contribution of USD2.510 mn.

Community Investment Project - Jamaica (2022)

On October 28, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) approved a loan in the amount of USD12.085 mn to assist in the financing of the Jamaica Community Investment Project for which the Jamaica Social Investment Fund was the Executing Agency. The overall objectives of the project were to improve the socio-economic conditions in poor rural communities by increasing access to basic social and economic infrastructure, social services and social development initiatives, as well as organisational strengthening interventions.

Corporate Process Review of Managing for Development Results in CDB

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) formally embraced Managing for Development Results (MfDR) in 2000 and over the past two decades has increased attention to and investment in MfDR, including the adoption of MfDR Action Plans, independent reviews of its MfDR agenda, the development of guidelines, tools and training programmes, and the establishment of the Development Effectiveness Committee.The objective of this Corporate Process Review was to examine the current state of MfDR practice in the Bank and the degree to which it contributes to improved management decision-making and development effectiveness. The review focused on the period 2015-2020, aligned with CDB’s current and previous strategic planning periods (2015-2019, 2020-2024) and with the current and previous CDB MfDR Action Plans (2016-2019, 2020-2024).

CDB’s Work Through Development Finance Institutions and Other Financial Intermediaries 2012-2019

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has been working with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs)1 and Financial Institutions (FIs) in the Region for more than 40 years. It supports the provision of affordable financial products and services to businesses and individuals to advance sustainable socioeconomic development and poverty reduction. Loans to financial intermediaries are in the form of a line of credit, with on-lending to a diverse client base in the productive sector, and for mortgages and student loans.The evaluation aimed to assess CDB’s work through financial intermediaries over the period 2012-19, and to draw lessons for strategic and operational improvement. The intended audience for this report is the Bank’s Private

Student Loan Scheme - St. Vincent & the Grenadines (2020)

In October 2008, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) approved a loan in the amount of USD10 mn to the National Commercial Bank (SVG) Ltd., (subsequently renamed BOSVG) to assist the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (GOSVG) in improving its human resource capacity by providing loans to students under the Student Loan Scheme (SLS) of CDB. The main objective of the project was to assist BOSVG in funding, and GOSVG in developing, its human resource capacity through provision of student loans for upgrading skills at the vocational, technical, and professional levels.

Harrison’s Cave Redevelopment - Barbados (2020)

Harrison’s Cave was opened as a public attraction by the Government of Barbados (GOBD) in 1981. By the mid-1990s it became evident that the full economic potential of the Cave was constrained by an aging plant, an undeveloped Cave system, restricted capacity during peak hours, limited visitor amenities and inadequate site access. Given the importance of the Cave to the tourism development of Barbados, CDB provided technical assistance (TA) loan to the Government of Barbados in the amount of USD1.38 mn to finance a pre-investment study for the expansion and upgrade of the Cave and other tourism sites. Following the recommendations of that study, the Board of Directors (BOD) approved a capital loan of USD16.87 mn in July 2006 to Caves of Barbados Ltd (CBL) to assist in financing the development of the Cave’s facilities, road safety improvements, the replacement of tour trams and the enhancement of the equipment and operations. An additional loan of USD12.85 mn was approved by the BOD in October 2009 to finance cost overruns associated with design changes and delays in project implementation. CBL was the Executing Agency. Project completion was predicted for September 2011, but actual completion occurred in December 2015.

Consolidated Line of Credit: Bank of Saint Lucia Limited (2020)

In October 2009, the Caribbean Development Bank approved a loan in the amount of USD20 million (mn) to Bank of St. Lucia Ltd (BOSL) to assist in providing finance to the productive sectors, including loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and student loans. The main objectives of the project were to increase the availability of medium and long-term credit for financing technically and economically viable Agricultural and Industrial Credit (AIC) projects, in the agriculture and fishing industry, service and tourism sectors; and strengthen St. Lucia’s human resource capacity, through the provision of Student Loan Scheme (SLS) funding for tertiary level training and skills upgrading at the technical, vocational and professional levels.

OIE Work Programme 2020-2024

This five-year plan for evaluation at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is articulated in three parts. Part One examines the context for evaluation at the Bank, including its Evaluation Policy, strategic planning documents, policies and strategies, and co-investment partners. Part Two surveys the broader Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) context of which CDB is a part and highlights trends in MDB policies and evaluation approaches. Part Three sets out indicative plans for evaluation over the 2020 to 2024 period, bearing in mind the current constraint imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. General considerations that have informed evaluation choices; expected phasing and resource requirements; and some important enabling activities such as knowledge management and capacity building are also outlined.It is important to note that this is conceived as a rolling plan, to be refreshed at least bi-annually, and in particular to take account of any significant changes in CDB’s strategic environment (for example a new Special Development Fund [SDF] Contributors’ Agreement).