Group exercise at the Regional Training in Project Management provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo credit: ADB.
BIMP-EAGA, IMT-GT, and GMS officials join regional training on design concepts and tools for developing and implementing strategic projects.
Effective project management involves developing sound concepts, designs, and implementation plans, which are important in securing financing and ensuring optimal resource utilization and project results.
The Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), and the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) have set up project management and results-based monitoring and evaluation systems as part of their institutional enhancements. However, the subregions still need to address limited capacities in project design, poor delivery systems, weak alignment with the subregional strategies and development agenda, and poor monitoring and evaluation, which hamper the effectiveness of projects and their impacts.
Member governments and subregional secretariats requested the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to provide training on project design concepts and tools. From 20 to 24 May 2024, ADB conducted the Regional Training in Project Management in Bangkok for 33 government officials from the BIMP-EAGA, IMT-GT, and GMS. The training, which was implemented under ADB’s BIMP-EAGA, IMT-GT and GMS Capacity Building Program (B-I-G Program), enhanced knowledge and skills in design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of subregional projects. A results-based project management approach linked to sector strategies of the three subregions was highlighted in the training.
“Developing and implementing good projects that deliver real development impacts requires strong institutional capacity and good governance,” said Alfredo Perdiguero, who heads Regional Cooperation and Integration at ADB’s Southeast Asia Department. “ADB is committed to supporting the executing and implementing agencies we work with to strengthen their capacity to plan, design, finance, and implement development projects.”
In October last year, ADB also organized a project management training workshop in Bangkok for public officials and specialists from ministries or departments involved in subregional and national projects.
BIMP-EAGA, IMT-GT, and GMS serve as platforms of ASEAN economic integration. BIMP-EAGA currently has 129 priority infrastructure projects valued at $38.87 billion in its rolling pipeline. IMT-GT has 36 priority connectivity projects valued at $57 billion. GMS has 111 in its Regional Investment Framework that require $11.7 billion from development partners, the private sector, and the countries’ national and regional budgets.
Participants from the BIMP-EAGA, IMT-GT, and GMS with the training team. Photo credit: ADB.
The training used a combination of learning methods, such as lectures, role playing, simulations, case studies, and problem-solving exercises. It discussed key concepts, processes and principles in project design and identification as an integral stage of the project cycle; promoted a better understanding of “sector strategy and project fit” in the context of BIMP-EAGA, IMT-GT and the GMS; enhanced skills in project initiation, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation; introduced and applied tools and techniques through exercises and project concept proposal preparation; developed analytical, team building, and project management skills; and facilitated the sharing of experiences and the creation of a network of project management professionals in Southeast Asia.
At the end of the training, participants presented project concept proposals and indicative project implementation plans in line with the project management systems of BIMP-EAGA, IMT-GT and the GMS.