USAID IRAQ ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM PROJECT MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT, OCTOBER 2014

The project, which began in 2011, has made significant progress in various areas, including regulatory reform, public policy reform, and project management reform. Regulatory reform is a critical component of the project, with a focus on improving the business environment in Iraq. The project has worked closely with the Prime Minister's Advisory Council (PMAC) and the Council of Ministers Secretariat (COMSEC) to develop and implement regulatory reforms. One notable achievement is the development of a construction permit nidham, which has been reviewed by PMAC and the Al Shura Council and is now ready for political approval. The project has also conducted a handover ceremony with over 50 ministerial partners, transferring institutional knowledge and recommendations to the new government. The Public Policy Reform Initiative is another key area of focus for the project. USAID-Tarabot has delivered a two-day workshop on stakeholder engagement in the policy process for staff representing COMSEC's Public Policy Unit (PPU) and Committee Affairs Directorate. Participants developed a guide on stakeholder strategies for ministries and a "stakeholder form" to be used as part of the GOI policy submission process. The project has also finalized the design of a public policy database, which was handed over to the COMSEC PPU and user training was provided to COMSEC staff. The project has also made significant progress in the area of project management reform. USAID-Tarabot has provided ongoing assistance to a range of GOI partners in the application of internationally recognized procurement processes, both with hands-on training and workshops. Site visits were conducted to projects on which GOI partners are piloting modern project management techniques learned from Tarabot. In addition to these initiatives, the project has also worked to consolidate offices on the Mansour Compound and discharge staff completing their contracts. The project has also continued to consolidate its activities, with a focus on ensuring the sustainability of its achievements. High-level meetings have been held with partners, including the Council of Ministers General Secretariat, the Prime Minister's Advisory Council, and the Ministry of Planning, to support them as they take ownership of various Tarabot initiatives. The project has also made significant progress in terms of its geographic reach, with activities conducted in four provinces in addition to Baghdad. The project has also engaged with a range of institutions, including 17 ministries, governors' offices, and GOI executive offices. Overall, the USAID Iraq Administrative Reform Project has made significant progress in promoting administrative reform in Iraq, with a focus on regulatory reform, public policy reform, and project management reform. The project has worked closely with a range of partners, including the GOI, to develop and implement reforms that will benefit the citizens of Iraq. The project has also made significant progress in terms of its sustainability, with a focus on ensuring that its achievements are sustained beyond the life of the project. The project has worked closely with partners to develop sustainability plans and has provided ongoing assistance to help them implement these plans. In terms of its impact, the project has made significant progress in improving the business environment in Iraq, with a focus on reducing bureaucratic barriers and improving the efficiency of government services. The project has also made significant progress in promoting public policy reform, with a focus on developing and implementing policies that benefit the citizens of Iraq.