WASHINGTON, D.C., December 4, 2017 – Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Principal Deputy Vice President (PDVP) Kyeh Kim is in Abidjan this week to highlight important next steps in preparation for implementation of the MCC Côte d’Ivoire Compact. PDVP Kim will attend the Côte d’Ivoire Compact’s Program Implementation Agreement (PIA) signing ceremony along with Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Finance, Mr. Adama Koné. The PIA signing marks an important milestone that follows the signing of the compact last month by MCC Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Nash and Côte d’Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara.
During her visit, PDVP Kim will meet with ministries central to the compact projects, including the Secretary General, Minister of Transport, Minister of Economic Infrastructures, Minister of National Education Technical and Vocational Training, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Minister of Economy and Finance, and Secretary of State in Charge of Budget and State Portfolio. They will discuss next steps in the preparation for compact implementation.
PDVP Kim will also introduce the new MCC Resident Country Mission, including MCC Resident Country Director Mahmoud Bah and MCC Deputy Resident Country Director Laura Rudert. RCD Bah and DRCD Rudert will serve as MCC’s U.S. representatives during the implementation of the compact. They will work alongside the National Coordination Team of Côte d’Ivoire to set up and staff the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) of Côte d’Ivoire, which will be the accountable entity responsible for the implementation of the compact.
MCC’s five-year, $524.7 million Côte d’Ivoire Compact was jointly developed by MCC and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire to address two of the most significant constraints to growth in the country: low availability of skilled workers; and challenges to moving goods and people, especially in Abidjan, the nation’s economic capital.
The Skills for Employability and Productivity Project will increase access to secondary education and teacher training, and support the construction of up to 84 new secondary schools. Through a public-private partnership, a new technical vocational education and training (TVET) model will advance development of in-demand skills. It will also help the government mitigate gender disparities, improving outcomes for girls in the education system.
MCC’s investments in transportation are designed to facilitate trade, open new markets for goods, and create new business opportunities. The Abidjan Transport Project will reduce transport costs and improve efficiencies for businesses by rehabilitating roads in and around the port area and improving road network management and maintenance.
New procurement and business opportunities associated with the Côte d’Ivoire Compact will be announced in the coming months. Visit the Work With Us section of MCC’s website to learn more: www.mcc.gov/work-with-us
Find out more about the MCC Côte d’Ivoire Compact: https://www.mcc.gov/news-and-events/release/release-110717-cote-divoire-signing-event
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The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an independent U.S. Government agency working to reduce global poverty through economic growth. Created in 2004, MCC provides time-limited grants and assistance to poor countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, from fighting corruption to respecting democratic rights. Learn more about MCC at www.mcc.gov.