Northern Sumatra regional planning

Implementation of the refocused project progressed rapidly. Planning and development studies and analyses, both sectoral and procedural, were completed, establishing a sound basis for planning, for improved planning/programming/budgeting techniques, and for better inter-sectoral coordination and communication. These outputs may be transferred to the other three project provinces as well as to the LGT II and PDP projects. Use of a team approach for training BAPPEDA project technicians will better equip both BAPPEDA technicians and other provincial technicians and officials to undertake development planning work. Lessons learned include the danger of over-ambitious project design, the need for flexibility to respond to changes in project direction, and the difficulty of establishing inter-cultural relationships between short-term consultants and Indonesian counterparts, as exemplified by consultants" lack of familiarity with the project, language, and culture; time pressures that precluded effective working with counterparts; and emphasizing the final report at the expense of communicating with counterparts. Follow-on activities include further assistance to Riau Province under PDP III, as well as to Aceh, and North and West Sumatra Provinces (by including the LTA-12 Continuation project in BAPPENAS Bluebook for use of donor assistance).