Objective:Discussion on the Data Collected with Respect to Projects Supported by Europe

Date:9 March 2010

Time:13:00

Attendants:Mr. Bassam Attar, Mr. Yamen Salloum, Ms. Ruba Khanji, Ms. Ola Izze Dine, Dr. Aref Tarabichi, Ms. Nour Darwich, Ms. Lamis Makhoul

Objective:Discussion on the Data Collected with respect to Projects Supported by Europe

Mr. Bassam Attar has pointed out few points with respect to the project matrix prepared by the project team and was sent to SPC for checking as well as he provided the project team with a list of comments. Mr. Attar’s comments could be summarized as follows:

1. Unavailable data at SPC premises(22 projects) in addition to projects supported by Norway, Sweden and Switzerland
2. Values of some projects are missed
3. Some repeated projects
4. Projects divided to more than one record in the matrix.

A detailed discussion took place on the points mentioned above. The summary is below:

Item 1:

There are some projects that SPC is not aware of and one explanation of this could be that the arrangements were done between the donor and the relevant ministry directly. However, since one of the functions of the e-platform is to be repository for all international cooperation projects, then verifying the status and accuracy of this information is a MUST. Mr. Bassam Attar has suggested that the aid coordination unit to communicate with the relevant ministries providing them with the available primary information such as the project titles, amount, etc.. and follow up with them as requiredin order to get all required data.

Item 2:

It was explained in response to Mr. Attar’s query, that the project matrix includes all the data collected from many sources over the past period, so the matrix might contain some missed data due to the unavailability of this information.

Item 3:

A discussion on what is labeled as “repeated” in Mr. Attar’s list occurred and some points need to be double checked from SPC again. The project team will follow up with Mr. Attar and get the confirmed informationduring the coming two days. (List is available in annex 1)

Item 4:

Mr. Attar mentioned that there are some projects that appear like two or three records and he gave the “UDP Program” as an example. In response to Mr. Attar’s comment, it was explained to the attendants the hierarchy structure, hence, international cooperation activity could be: anindependent activity, program (UDP Program), and project (each componentof the program is a project by itself especially each component has its own agreements, agreement with a specific beneficiary institution).

Mr. Bassam mentioned that the projects where the beneficiary is private sector should not be included (so far, we have one example: “Syrian Cement Company”

However, it is important to mention that Mr. Bassam Attar has kindly provided with additional information about projects that were not included in the project matrix. The project team will work to included them.

Annex 1