Micro-enterprises in Road Maintenance: the Bolivian Experience

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The UCE envisages a three-phase program: Phase 1: Program preparation The point is to train the managers of the UCE through the intra-regional technical cooperation, as part of the continuing training provided by countries that have already implemented this type of programs such as Bolivia. The next step will be to develop and prepare the administrative and training portions of the program (typical contract, simplified market procurement procedures, monitoring and control instruments, notions of training for micro-enterprises, etc.) This phase will last three months. Phase 2: Implementation This phase is about the implement of the program along the RN2 and RN1 highways in 2012. It will include: the preparation, formation and training of enterprises, market assignment, execution of the work, etc. It will be accompanied by technical assistance from the UCE by means of a support to the businesses under contract in the management of the company as well as in the physical and technical ongoing maintenance work. Phase 3: Transfer of skills Then, it will be a question of passing the responsibility of the ongoing maintenance to the local communities. The Ministry, by his regional directories, will help collectivities to ensure the ongoing maintenance go smoothly. 5.3 In order to do so in an efficient manner, it is believed that learning from the Bolivian experience will allow examine precedents and provide opportunity for: a) Sharing of experiences with a similar IDB funded Road Maintenance project that is at a more advanced stage of implementation. b) Understanding the structure, composition and terms of reference of the entity charged with the oversight and implementation of the project. c) Understanding the accomplishments as well as the obstacles and problems encountered by the establishment of a Road Maintenance project in Bolivia by the Bolivian public agency dealing with Road Maintenance and how they may be applicable to the implementation experience of the Road Maintenance Program in Haiti. d) Understanding their methods of identifying issues, arriving at a consensus as to the best courses of action and resolving conflicts. This we expect will also help to strengthen the capacity of the Haitian participants to anticipate such impediments to progress and to be able to address more efficiently, the issues related to the implementation of activities and supervision within the framework of the project. e) Understanding their current and future strategies as it relates to the Road Maintenance project. f) Creating a partnership for ongoing exchange of ideas and experiences.