[rts] Economic evaluations

[neranjana at ips.lk]

Hello All, 

I am afraid my intervention does not really add to the on going discussion.
but I found it hard to resist the opportunity to tap this pool of
knowledge,especially following Joaquín's intervention.  I hope Priyanthi
will not throw this message out!!!!

LFRTD (The Sri Lanka Forum) is just about to undertake an economic
evaluation of its community bus project.  However, we have run into the
problem highlighted by Joaquin ie. regarding the lack of an economic
evaluation methodology. 

I would be very grateful if any one can give me ANY reference which will
help us develop a methodology. We have to undertake this study with or
without a 'sophisticated' methodology, not necessarily for funding purposes
- as the project is already operational - but as a learning exercise as the
community bus is a pilot project. 
I do feel it will be a learning experience for all if we could tap your
knowledge on this.
 
Thank you
Neranjana. 

-----------------------------------------------
Neranjana Gunetilleke 
Research  Economist
Institute of Policy Studies
99, St. Michael's  Road
Colombo 3 
Sri Lanka

Tel: (94 1)  431368,  431378,  431408
Fax:  (94 1) 431395
E - mail: Neranjana@ ips.lk
       



At 12:33 PM 11/28/00 +0600, you wrote:
>HI,
>
>Maybe we should add some "salt and pepper" to the discussion, or "spark it
up" in order to get some more people involved.
>
>Maybe asking "daring" questions, or surveys, etc.
>
>Maybe trying to get people from the IFIs directly in the discussion...
sorry, I keep insisting...
>
>One issue is that there are no economic evaluation methodology widely
approved for this type of projects. I am not saying that there should
necessarily be one, it is just that most banks want "economic analysis" for
all projects; and it is ussually a headache for Task Managers to promote
this type of projects, without an specific mathematically calculated ERR.
>
>One could just say that (poor) people have a right to adequate
accesibility and mobility; but, I have proposed this idea for years without
acceptance. An economic evaluation is requested by IFIs.
>
>I have to admit that in many cases (GUatemala, Nicaragua)local government
(Transport or Works MInistry employees )do not support such projects, even
though they will benefit the poor population. Why? It should be studied in
detail...
>Maybe  some people want to comment about this.
>
>
>Joaquín 
>
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