PARAGUAY : MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

IDM WILL PROVIDE FINANCIAL & TECH ASSIST TO 156 TARGETTED RURAL COMMUNITIES OF NOT LESS THAN 3000 INHABITANTS. IDM"S BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL CONSIST OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOP & PARTICIPATING MUNICIPALITIES. IDM WILL PROVIDE LONG-TERM,LOW-INTEREST LOANS TO THE MUNICIPALITIES FOR SMALL PUBLIC WORKS PROJS SUCH AS MUNICIPAL MARKETS & SLAUGHTER HOUSES,BUS TERMINALS,SANITARY FACILITIES,FEEDER ROAD CONSTRUCTION,SMALL-SCALE ELECTRIFICATION,IRRIGATION & POTABLE WATER SYSTS. IDM WILL WORK IN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH OTHER NATL AGENCIES IN DEVELOPING THESE PUBLIC WORKS PROGS -- ESP THE SERVICE AGENCIES IN CHARGE OF WATER,ELECTRICITY & HOUSING. IDM WILL ALSO INCORPORATE PROGS OF RESEARCH,TRNG & TECH ASSIST INTO ITS ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE. SEMINARS,COURSEWORK & STUDY PROGS COVERING MUNICIPAL ADMIN,TAXATION,PERSONNEL MGMT, PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION & ADMIN,AND PURCHASING WILL BE OFFERED TO MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS. IDM RESEACH EFFORTS WILL CENTER ON THE PRESENT SYST OF MUNICIPAL FINANCING & TAX ADMIN. IDM PERSONNEL WILL ASSIST THE MUNICIPALITIES IN IMPLEMENTING MODERN METHODS OF TAX COLLECTION & ADMIN AS WELL AS OFFER COMPLETE LEGAL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITIES. IN ADDITION,IDM WILL SERVE AS AGENT FOR THE MUNICIPALITIES IN THE BULK PURCHASE OF MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT AND IN PROCESSING BIDS FOR MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT. A TOTAL OF 6 ADVISORS WILL BE ASSIGNED TO IDM INCLUDING A PROJ ANALYST,A LOAN OPERATIONS SPECIALIST (EXPERIENCED IN THE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC WORKS),A MUNICIPAL ADMIN EXPERT,A MUNICIPAL TAX EXPERT & A TRNG SPECIALIST. THESE ADVISORS WILL PROVIDE ON-JOB TRNG TO IDM STAFF IN PROJ APPRAISAL & LOAN OPERATION AND ASSIST PERSONNEL IN THEIR TRNG & ADVISORY FUNCTIONS WITH THE MUNICIPALITIES. IDM STAFF & SELECTED LOCAL GOVT OFFICIALS W ILL ATTEND SHORT OR MEDIUM-LENGTH MUNICIPAL ADMIN COURSES I N THE US OR 3RD COUNTRIES. HOST COUNTRY WILL PROVIDE INITIAL CAPITALIZATION & ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES FOR IDM.