CBDAI Technical Assistance Files

75738

1964-1991

series

textual records

72.5 linear feet of textual records

Technical assistance, Technical assistance experts, Technical assistance experts assignments, Technical assistance programs, Technical assistance missions, Liquidity, Banking, Central banks, Fiscal policy

Series is open according to the Policy on Access to the Fund's Archives. Files will be screened by reference staff for any time restrictions. Box 146 contains documents which are currently closed because they contain sensitive information.

Series consists of records maintained by the Central Banking Department (CBD) relating to the coordination of technical assistance through the assignment of experts who served in executive, advisory, or technical positions in the central banks of member countries. The length of assignment varied from as little as two weeks to as long as four years. Assignments of experts for extended periods to assist in the organization and development of monetary institutions was a major part of the technical assistance program of the Central Banking Department. Institutions eligible for technical assistance in the central banking field included central monetary institutions such as currency boards and monetary agencies or authorities which fulfilled only some of the responsibilities of a central bank. Similarly, technical assistance was provided on the same basis to central banks common to several member countries, such as the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), the Bank of the Central African States (BEAC) and the East Caribbean Currency Authority (ECCA). Technical Assistance files are composed of two main sub-groups: Report Files and General Files. Report Files make up the largest portion of the series and consist of quarterly reports from Technical Assistance expert to CBD staff. These reports are a combination of technical progress reports and personal accounts of the economic, political and social conditions within the country. General files contain the occasional report, mission findings, as well as administrative information concerning expert appointments, travel arrangements and inspection visit reports by CBD staff which detail CBD expert/advisors performances. Other general files are those dealing with external debt. These document CBD’s collaboration with the World Bank in missions specific to external debt and include requests for technical assistance in the area of external debt and reports on foreign debt position and external debt systems in member countries. Areas of technical assistance provided by CBD Technical Assistance experts include: instruction on balance of payments to member country bank staff; the improvement of the collection of statistical data in member countries; revamping accounting systems in central banks; staff planning and training; computer development and routine accountancy problems; review of banking conditions; external debt databases; statistical advice; bank supervision; research; foreign exchange; and money market operations. Files occasionally, but not often, contain Technical Assistance Assessment Report forms which experts were asked to complete. This form was a self-assessment and evaluation of the experts’ accomplishments and relations with country officials during his/her assignment. Files of interest include: Burundi, 1969-1972 which includes accounts of civil war in the country; ECCA and ECCB files which looks at the dynamics of multi-country organizations and division of banking revenues; files for Equatorial Guinea, Uganda and Zaire which detail political, social and economic conditions in the late 1960’s to late 1970’s. Files are arranged alphabetically by country, then by surname of the Technical Assistance expert and then chronologically.