USAID-Tarabot Monthly Progress Report, September 2014

The project's main objective is to support the Government of Iraq in its efforts to establish a more efficient and effective administrative system. Regulatory reform is a key component of the project, with the Iraq Solutions for Regulatory and Administrative Reform (ISRAR) initiative playing a crucial role in this area. ISRAR has been partnering with the Prime Minister's Advisory Council (PMAC) since 2012 to pursue a business enabling environment in Iraq and positive economic change for the Iraqi people. In September 2014, PMAC solidified its commitment to the ISRAR initiative by signing a cost share check in the amount of $206,946, demonstrating the Government of Iraq's ongoing support for Tarabot's technical assistance and affirming the ownership of the ISRAR initiative. The project has made significant progress in various areas, including public policy reform, public procurement reform, project management reform, and the establishment of a One-Stop-Shop. The One-Stop-Shop is a service center that provides a range of services to citizens, including social safety net services. In September 2014, the service center was completed in Dahuk, and an opening ceremony is scheduled to take place in October. The project has also been working to improve the functionality of project management offices and the oversight of project implementation. In September 2014, USAID-Tarabot co-hosted a forum with the Council of Minister's Secretariat (COMSEC) to bring together project managers and engineers from various government entities to discuss how to improve project management offices and bolster staff capacity. The forum was attended by over 50 ministerial and governorate representatives, who shared their successes and challenges and contributed to recommendations that will be submitted to COMSEC for review. In addition to these initiatives, the project has been consolidating offices on the Mansour Compound and discharging staff completing their contracts. On September 28, the project hosted an appreciation event for Tarabot staff, with Stephen Brager representing USAID and expressing appreciation for the professional accomplishments of the Tarabot staff. The project has also been tracking its progress through various metrics, including the number and types of events delivered. In September 2014, USAID-Tarabot teams held 101 events, including formal assessment meetings, action planning, and implementation workshops. These events were held in 10 provinces, with 62 events taking place in Baghdad and 39 events delivered on location. Overall, the USAID Iraq Administrative Reform Project has made significant progress in implementing administrative reforms and improving the business enabling environment in Iraq. The project's efforts have been supported by the Government of Iraq, and its initiatives have contributed to the sustainability of the project.