Strengthening of Strategies for the Ministry of the Environment

                                     BOLIVIA



SECTOR:                 Environment

PROJECT NAME:           Preparation of a Project for Institutional Strengthen-
                        ing and Formulation of Strategies for the Ministry of
                        the Environment and Sustainable Development 
                        (ATN/IF-4446-BO) 

TOTAL COST:             $800,000

FINANCING:
      IDB               $800,000    from the Italian Trust Fund of the Istituto
                                    per la Ricostruzione Industriale (IRI)

DATE OF APPROVAL:       January 26, 1994

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:    The purpose of this nonreimbursable technical coopera-
                        tion is to prepare a project to strengthen the Ministry
                        of the Environment and Sustainable Development (MDSMA)
                        that would: (a) include an institution-building program
                        to benefit the MDSMA, sector environmental units and the
                        offices in the departments with responsibility in this
                        field; and (b) provide basic instruments for decision-
                        making in managing natural resources to support
                        sustainable development.

                        The specific aims of the future project would be to:
                        (a) boost the MDSMA's technical and operating capabil-
                        ities; (b) implement information and environmental con-
                        trol and monitoring systems, a task that would involve
                        defining the responsibilities and functions of organi-
                        zational units at the national, sector and territorial
                        levels; (c) develop strategies for managing natural
                        resources using remote sensing techniques, especially
                        for forest resource management and watershed planning;
                        and (d) prepare prefeasibility and feasibility studies
                        for investments in sustainable development.

                        This technical cooperation will support a consultancy to
                        help the government prepare necessary documents to get
                        the above-mentioned project approved.  The consultancy
                        will analyze the general feasibility of the operation
                        and suggest appropriate measures for project execution.

CONSULTANTS:            The Italian Fund will be used to finance this technical
                        cooperation and, in accordance with the guidelines
                        governing the fund, the consulting firm will not be
                        contracted through international competition.  An
                        Italian consulting firm will be hired, which will
                        provide a team of international and national experts
                        to carry out the project.

GOODS AND EQUIPMENT:    Not applicable.

CIVIL WORKS:            Not applicable.

EXECUTING AGENCY:       Ministerio de Desarrollo Sostenible y Medio Ambiente

ADDRESS:                Av. Arce 2147, antiguo Edificio del Ministerio de
                        Planeamiento
                        2¤ Piso
                        La Paz, Bolivia
                        Telephone:  (591-2) 32070 and 35422
                        Fax:        (591-2) 392-892 and 369-304
                        Contact:    Mr. Alfonso Kreidler
                                    National Secretary 
                                    Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable
                                    Development