Former Soviet Republics: Jacobs, Cordova & Associates Projects

Armenia - Systemic Regulatory Reform in Armenia	Jacobs, Cordova & Associates was asked to review the regulatory environment in Armenia and to suggest a program of systemic reform to improve national competitiveness by updating its regulatory policies and policy instruments to stimulate market-driven growth. Mr. Jacobs recommended improvements to the RIA and consultation systems, and a national regulatory guillotine initiative to review and streamline the 25,000 legal norms in Armenia. See official press release here: http://www.gov.am/en/news/item/5536/ Armenia, OSCE, 2011.

Moldova - Modernization of Public Services Offered by Public Administration Authorities	Jacobs, Cordova & Associates, in association with Legicon SRL of Romania, is working on a World Bank funded project in Moldova. The objective of the assignment is to develop a strategy (and tentative action plan) to improve the quality of public services in Moldova. In order to achieve high quality and cost efficient public services, the reform strategy will focus on ensuring adequate institutional arrangements, financing from the national budget (and appropriate channeling of revenues collected by service providers through the national budget), improving supervision of and accountability for ensuring access and quality of public services, introducing explicit published standards for public services and establishing clear and effective mechanisms for exercising individual or collective right for recourse. The project involves undertaking an analysis of public services rendered by the central public authorities and developing a strategy with vision, goals and outline of more efficient and accessible future service delivery mechanisms. The work also includes developing a methodology for setting quality standards, identifying recourse mechanisms and proposing principles for setting tariff levels as well as a system for tariff approval and publication. Moldova, Government of Moldova, 2011

Ukraine - Communications Regulatory Training Programme	Jacobs, Cordova & Associates worked as part of a team led by Premier Dynamics Limited and J Kanervisto Consulting on a European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) project providing support for the development of the Ukrainian communications sector through a specialised training programme. The programme of cooperation aimed to supporthe National Commission for Communications Regulation of Ukraine (NCCR) in the implementation of a modern regulatory framework in Ukraine, one which reflects international best practice. The training programme also involved key sector policy-makers, relevant state institutions, private operators, and service providers in the training. The Electronic Communications Regulatory Training programme had a range of objectives designed to develop further one of the most dynamic sectors of the Ukrainian economy. They included strengthening the institutional and technical capacity of the NCCR and broadening the awareness of modern communications and competition concepts among the regulators, commercial operators, and consumers. This training, financed by the Government of Finland, was part of the EBRD’s work with relevant regulatory telecommunication authorities in the countries of operation. It provides practical assistance with the development and implementation of sector policies, drafting of new laws and implementing legislation. It also deals with a variety of fundamental electronic communications sector issues, covering all areas of law, policy, regulation, technical, financial, and economic practices. During the eight-week training sessions, which commenced in April 2011 and was delivered over a six-month period, a group of EBRD experts provided the NCCR and sector specialists with an overview of world trends and a review of current regulatory systems. The training also covered: technical and regulatory aspects of network interconnection, the operation of a competitive market, market identification and analysis, access to and sharing infrastructure, management of scarce resources, consumer rights and interests, regulatory impact analysis and a range of regulatory remedies including dispute resolution, complaints management and enforcement, competition issues and strategic management for regulators. As a result of this training, the EBRD and the NCCR will be able to better understand sector needs and trends, further support needs, as well access the scope of the Bank’s potential investments into the Ukrainian communications sector. Ukraine, EBRD, 2011.

Azerbaijan - Communications Regulatory Training Programm	Jacobs, Cordova & Associates was part of an EBRD funded project providing technical assistance to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Communications and IT. The project consisted of a comprehensive 40 day training programme and regulatory assistance in the electronic communications sector and wasas provided in conjunction with Development Dynamics, Cullen International and J Kannervisto Consulting. Azerbaijan, EBRD, 2010

Armenian Public Services Regulatory Commission Training	Jacobs, Cordova & Associates was part of an EBRD funded project providing technical assistance to the Armenian Public Services Regulatory Commission. The project consisted of a comprehensive 40 day training programme and regulatory assistance in the electronic communications sector and is provided in conjunction with Development Dynamics, Cullen International and J Kannervisto Consulting. See link below for EBRD’s Success story on this project; http://www.ebrd.com/english/pages/news/press/2011/110324a.shtml Armenia, EBRD, 2010

Armenia - Introduction of Market Surveillance Procedures	Jacobs, Cordova & Associates assisted the Ministry of Economy of Armenia to modernize its market surveillance policy, law and institutional set up. In particular Jacobs, Cordova & Associates advised the Inspection Reform Unit on the development of an institutional framework for market surveillance well-coordinated with other sectoral inspectorates; a detailed description of risk-based inspection mechanisms for data collection and parameters to be included in a database of supervised entities and individuals, and key elements for drafting an EU compatible market surveillance law for Armenia. Armenia, The World Bank/IFC, 2010

Lithuania - Improving RIA	Jacobs, Cordova & Associates coordinated a benchmarking review of the Lithuanian system and prepared a study tour to Denmark for a multi-ministerial party which included the Deputy Secretary of the Prime Minister Office. Lithuania, Central Project Management Agency, 2010

Georgia - Telecommunication Regulators Training	Jacobs, Cordova & Associates participated in the EBRD-unded training program for the Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) during 2010 which had as its objectives firstly, to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of the authorities; and, secondly, to broaden awareness of modern communications/ competition concepts amongst officials, commercial operators and consumers. Overall, the Program comprised an assessment of the specific training needs of the regulator and ministry; the development of a comprehensive training program covering all key aspects of regulation, with the goal of meeting the regulators specific needs for development of its staff’s regulatory skills. The Program also had a practical aspect, whereby Jacobs, Cordova &Associates assisted with practical casework of the regulatory authority in two specific areas over the course of the six months program implementation. Georgia, EBRD, 2010

Kazakhstan V Institution Building and Communications Regulatory Authority Advisory	Following a request from the Government of Kazakhstan, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development selected Jacobs, Cordova & Associates to assist the Government and the Agency for Information and Communication to establish an independent, sector-specific regulatory authority for communications in Kazakhstan, based upon international best practice. Jacobs, Cordova & Associates provided full and substantive practical support and assistance to the Government and AIC in the following areas: institutional establishment, legislative drafting, staff training, organisational capacity building, institutional decision-making process development and implementation and regulatory implementation. Kazakhstan, EBRD, 2008-2009.

Kyrgyzstan - Inspections Reform Assessment	Jacobs, Cordova & Associates was invited in April 2010 to assess progress and map out the next stages for a systemic report of inspections in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. This appraisal closed an important series of reforms undertaken since December 2004 by the Kyrgyz Government aimed at reducing the administrative burdens associated with inspections on the business sector. Though the second mission was postponed due to the political events of April 2010, the progress report produced by Jacobs, Cordova & Associates indicated that the new reform phase should clarify and set concrete objectives and be based on a multi-year policy including: Improving the current legal framework; Creating an institutional overview and coordination mechanism for all enforcement and inspection bodies; Merging and consolidating some existing inspectorates to reduce the duplication, contradiction and the budgetary costs of enforcement; Strengthening the regulation upon inspectors, as well as increasing their incentives (i.e., salaries and status, etc.) and developing a training program, and Developing a business outreach program to build political support. Kryrgyzstan, IFC/GTZ, 2010.


Kazakhstan - Telecom Regulatory Evaluation	Jacobs, Cordova & Associates supported the Kazakhstan Agency for Information and Communication (AIC) in analyzing the design options for a new regulatory authority for telecommunications including identifying best practice models from other jurisdictions. Detailed recommendations on the regulatory structure appropriate to Kazakhstan along with draft legislation to establish the regulator were provided as part of the assignment. Kazakhstan, EBRD, 2006.

Telecom Regulatory Development in Kazakhstan	Jacobs, Cordova & Associates supported the Kazakhstan Agency for Information and Communication (AIC) in analyzing the design options for a new regulatory authority for telecommunications. We assisted the AIC to select a model (together with a detailed timetable and implementation plan) and participated in the presentation of recommendations to the Government. Kazakhstan, EBRD, 2006.

Inspections and Licensing Reforms in Tajikistan	Tajikistan was in the process of reforming its unclear and cumbersome regulatory and institutional framework by reducing the number of licensing requirements and rationalizing its inspection procedures. Jacobs, Cordova & Associates advised the State Committee for Investment and State Property Management on its implementation of its ambitious reforms. Our work involved business questionnaires and interviews, including focus groups, with both businesses and the inspection authorities and producing the report, Inspections and Licensing Reforms in Tajikistan. Our recommended changes, if adopted, will also boost accountability for performance by making future compliance reviews lower-cost and more complete, and by setting into motion the creation of a permanent system of oversight, checks and balances, and due process to correct abuses as they occur. Tajikistan, Tajikistan Ministry of Finance, 2008.

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