Non-reimbursable funds for institutional strengthening of Azuay province, Ecuador

(Quito, April 30, 2008).- In the presence of CAF representative Luis Paláu-Rivas; CAF deputy director Constanza Calderón; and Azuay provincial prefect Paúl Carrasco, a non-reimbursable technical cooperation agreement was signed for the project: Institutional Strengthening of the Azuay Provincial Government. The funds are granted to the Azuay Prefecture as an advanced sectional government which has implemented a modern system of administrative control consisting of SMGA (Administrative Management Monitoring System), SAT (Acquisition System), VUS (one stops office) and other computer systems.

Azuay Province has experienced high population growth, which has significantly increased demand for services from the provincial government while its financial resources and institutional development have not kept up with this growth.

The main problems detected include lack of a strategic institutional plan, the slow process of generation of products and services for users, and lack of tools and information and communication technology. The project is expected to strengthen the administrative structure and achieve sustainable organizational change to optimize the actions of the provincial government.

The key objectives are:

1. Design and implementation of an institutional strategic plan.
2. Optimization of administrative processes.
3. Training of human resources.

The period for completion of the project is 12 months from signing the agreement.