Cambodia - Improvement of Efficiency of Public Procurement Objectives:  The overall objective of this IDF Grant is to assist the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) to implement the key short-term actions in the agreed CPAR.s action plan, which will have a positive and quick effect on enhancing the efficiency and transparency of public procurement in the country.  The specific objectives of the proposed grant are to enable RGC to (i) urgently improve the existing legislative framework for procurement by strengthening the 1995  Procurement Sub-Decree and 1998 IRRPP in the interim (pending the development and enactment of the proposed Procurement Law and new IRRPP in the medium term), (ii) facilitate effective implementation of the revised sub-decree and IRRPP by developing streamlined procurement procedures and a  Procurement Manual; and (iii) put in place the most appropriate structure, role and location of single procurement monitoring office, and initiate implementation of the plan for progressively assigning sole responsibility for procurement to the line agencies as their procurement skills improve. Activities:  To achieve the above, the Bank will provide technical assistance in the following areas: - Carry out a comprehensive review of the existing procurement sub-decree and other related decrees, IRRPP, and other procurement instructions and guidelines, to identify shortcomings and inconsistencies.  Devise changes in these legislative and regulatory instruments to consolidate and bring them in line with internationally recognized good public procurement practices, and promote economy, efficiency and transparency in the procurement process.  This activity will be carried out by DPP with the assistance of consultants and with inputs of key stakeholders.  DPP will constitute a working group of stakeholder representatives, including staff of key line ministries as well as private sector suppliers, contractors and consultants, who would provide guidance. -   Develop streamlined procurement and administrative procedures and a Procurement Manual to enable the procuring agencies to effectively implement the revised sub-decree and IRRPP.  This activity will also require assistance of consultants and stakeholder participation which will be financed from this grant.  Due to resource limitations at this time, training of staff on the newly developed procedures is expected to be carried out subsequently through a separate funding arrangement. -   Undertake an in-depth study of the current organizational  framework and institutional responsibilities for procurement policy making, execution, monitoring and oversight, as well as contract administration and management; identify shortcomings and propose optimal arrangements for improvement.  Devise the most appropriate structure, role and location of single procurement monitoring office, and also develop a strategy for progressively increasing thresholds of line agencies to be solely responsible for procurement as their procurement skills improve.   A working group of stakeholder representatives will provide inputs and guide DPP and its consultants in carrying out this task. Outcomes:  This IDF grant is expected to contribute to the following outcomes: -   Improvement in the existing legislative and regulatory framework for public procurement in the country to increase economy, efficiency, and transparency . -   Better understanding of the procurement procedures to facilitate effective implementation. -   Rationalized institutional arrangements with more clearly defined roles and responsibilities for handling procurement more efficiently. Relationship of Grant Proposal with Country Economic and Sector Work (or Business Plan):  This assistance is to implement the prioritized actions recommended by the agreed CPAR to improve fiduciary responsibility for, and transparency of, public procurement in Cambodia over the short term. The purpose of the Grant is to support the Royal Government of Cambodia's efforts to enhance the efficiency of public procurement in Cambodia.  The activities include; (a) Carry out of a comprehensive review of the existing implementation rules, regulations, instructions and guidelines related to procurement; and devise improvements in the legislative and regulatory framework to bring them in line with internationally recognized good public procurement practices, and to promote economy, efficiency, and transparency in the procurement process. (b)  Development of a Procurement Manual and streamline procurement and administrative procedures to facilitate the effective implementation of procurement regulations. (c) Carry out a study of the current organizational framework and institutional roles and responsibilities for procurement policy making, implementation, monitoring and oversight, as well as for contract administration and management; and devise optimal and efficient arrangements.  The study would also identify the most appropriate structure, role and location of a single procurement monitoring office, and develop a strategy for progressively enabling the implementing line agencies to be solely responsible for procurement.