Duration: September 2001 – August 2004
Client: The Service Group TSG
Donor: United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Location: Jordan
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Project Brief:
The main objective of the Aqaba Technical Assistance Support Project (ATASP) is to enhance the capacity of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) to effectively develop and manage the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ), consistent with its long-range vision for the development of the Aqaba region. The program provides institutional support to the ASEZA to effectively promote integrated economic development in the Zone, develop appropriate regulatory frameworks, integrate land use and infrastructure planning, and promote investment.
Project Description:
Since the establishment of ASEZA in 2001, ECO Consult was engaged as a principle subcontractor to TSG in different assignments as part of the USAID funded Aqaba Technical Assistance Support (ATASP) Project implemented between 2001 and 2004. The program was designed to provide the technical and managerial support in the Design, Implementation, and E-Enablement of the permitting, public safety and environmental procedures, operations, financial advisory and billing and collection processes for the economic enterprises in ASEZ under the Aqaba Technical Assistance Support Project.
The project provides on-site managerial and technical support to the Investor Services Directorate by managing the various stakeholders and teams involved in the set up and implementation of a streamlined permitting process, as well as the technical support in the preparation of health, public safety, and technical requirements for the various enterprises, and in providing process supervision to the technical teams, specifically in systems implementation support to ASEZA’s permitting process and post-permitting environmental procedures; development of environmental clearance procedures and environmental manual ; financial modeling and high level financial advisory services; credit and collection improvement; information technology and management information systems support; public safety and occupational health requirements and strategic planning assistance for department for environment and health control of ASEZA; compliance inspection system; business census & GIS allocation of economic activities/ enterprises in ASEZA; designing small grants program; real estate asset management and integrated financial system (ifs) procurement process and human recourses development building capacity for ASEZA.
Provided Services:
Following is a summary overview of ECO Consult’s selected engagements under the ATASP project:
Public and Occupational Health Requirements, Process Integration and Support for ASEZA
ECO Consult was involved in developing public health requirements and guidelines for the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority. These were based on a combination of national laws and regulations including the Temporary Public Health Law no. (54) for the year 2002; in addition to international regulations and guidelines for areas and topics not adequately covered by the Jordanian legislation.
Furthermore, ECO Consult developed a Health Certification Manual to serve as a guide for the Investor Service Officer (ISO) for the process of granting health certificates for economic activities that will operate in Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ).
Permitting System Development
ECO Consult has provided intensive on-site custom-tailored support and services that contributed directly in building the capacity of ASEZA, and has played a pivotal role in the establishment of one-stop-shop streamlined permitting system for ASEZA with the main purpose of improving investor services. Over a year of on-site support in the design and business mapping, and procedure setting of the process, coordinating and follow-up to support the implementation and calibration of the new permitting system, providing on-going assistance and training to all ASEZA staff involved in the permitting processes, overseeing the continuous preparation and updating of legal instruments and technical requirements, and assisting in the changeover process from the old system to ASEZA’s new system.
Real Estate Assessment
ECO Consult performed ASEZA Real Estate Due Diligence Study, 2002, with the objective to provide recommendations to improve the policies and procedures of real estate business cycle which covers operating and financial policies and procedures governing various activities.
Financial Planning and Analysis
ECO Consult provided financial analysis services to ASEZA focusing on improving the internal and external operations, increasing efficiency, maximizing stakeholder value, and overcoming external challenges.
Human Resources Study- Rightsizing/downsizing Plan
ECO Consult provided its deep expertise and knowledge as part of the Aqaba Technical Assistance Support Project’s (ATASP) ‘ASEZA in developing the related Human Resources Systems in its business model. The objective of this assignment was to provide ASEZA senior management with proven strategies by which to achieve an appropriate manpower level for the operations conducted. Moreover, ECO helped ASEZA in optimizing its HR utilization abilities as well as increase the overall satisfaction of its workforce.
Privatization Services
ECO Consult has developed extensive experience in facilitating the involvement of the private sector in traditionally public sector functions. Our experience in PSP engagements is highlighted by our long-standing advisory role to the ASEZA, through which ECO Consult has become intimately involved in the privatization efforts of the Authority. Among the most high-profile of such engagements include:
- ASEZA’s Fleet Maintenance; and
- General Maintenance functions
Through such engagements, ECO Consult has been able to:
- Assist ASEZA in creating an environment that is conducive to private sector participation;
- Advise ASEZA on their outsourcing strategy concerning solicitation documents, contracts, and overall tendering process;
- Strengthen ASEZA capabilities in managing and evaluating bids and Public-Private Partnerships; and
- Potentially reduce operating costs and increase emphasis on core governance activities
Other activities included:
- Assessment of existing structure and development of options for rehabilitation and extension of water supply system
- Feasibility study for supply strategy up to horizon 2015
- Preparation of digital base maps allowing computerized hydraulic modeling and design
- Preparation of detailed design and tender documents for immediate measures (Phase I) and water supply and sewage disposal measures (Phase II)
- Tendering and tender evaluation, assistance during contracting
- Construction supervision and supervision of liability period
- Training of SOUWASA staff on O&M of water supply system and sewage disposal system
- Assistance in procurement and installation of computerized billing and accounting system and provision of training and mentoring in system application
- Assistance in introduction of a progressive tariff system based on metered consumption
- Assistance to the SOUWASA management in operations management, monitoring, establishment of benchmark system to judge system performance and financial viability
- Managing awareness raising and hygiene education campaigns applying local manpower and PR resources
- Socio-economic survey and evaluation.
- Preparation of digital base maps for computerized hydraulic modeling and design
