PROJECT INFORMATION DOCUMENT (PID) IDENTIFICATION/CONCEPT STAGE Report No.: PIDC88290 Public Disclosure Copy Project Name Support to the Land Administration and Geospatial System Modernization Project Region EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA Country Uzbekistan Lending Instrument IPF Project ID P161618 Borrower Name Republic of Uzbekistan Implementing Agency State Committee for Land Resources, Geodesy, Cartography and State Cadastre, Gosgomzemgeodescadastre Environment Category C - Not Required Date PID Prepared 09-Sep-2016 Estimated Date of Approval 01-Nov-2016 Initiation Note Review The review did authorize the preparation to continue Decision I. Introduction and Context Country Context Since 1997, reforms have been undertaken in Uzbekistan to transform the country's real property and cadastre system. Nevertheless, additional interventions are needed to further improve the efficiency and more importantly to ensure accessibility of the existing system and bring it in line Public Disclosure Copy with international standards (in the Doing Business 2015 report Uzbekistan is ranked 113 out of 189 countries for property registration, while in the 2016 report it is ranked 87). The real property market in the country is still very limited both geographically and in terms of volume of transactions, with access to registry and cadastre data a challenge. Furthermore, Uzbekistan still ranks poorly (153 out of 168) in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index. The Government of Uzbekistan is aware of the outstanding needs and is currently undertaking efforts to modernize its real property registration and cadastre system in order to realize the economic and social benefits of up-to-date accessible information for future development, including through the Bank-financed Modernization of Real Property Registration and Cadastre (MRPRC) Project. In fact, the Real Property Registry and Cadastre is recognized as one of the country's six key e- registries (together with the National Geographical Information System and the Census, Legal Entity, Vehicle and Address Registries). The transition from a paper-based to a computer-based integrated land registry and cadastre will enable the country to improve the transparency of real property ownership and transactions, improve customer services, support eGovernment initiatives, make geospatial information available to a broad range of stakeholders (government agencies and private and professional users), and ultimately promote private sector investment and development of the economy overall. The success of the Uzbek transition to a uniform digital environment will require significant efforts to deal with Page 1 of 6 data renovation and updating, building the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure in the national land administration agency's (the State Committee for Land Resources, Geodesy, Cartography and State Cadastre -- Goskomzemgeodescadastre, GKZGDK) central and Public Disclosure Copy field offices, and targeted human resource development programs to upgrade the skills of staff to operate effectively in the new environment. Sectoral and Institutional Context In-country ICT capacity, both in the public and private sector, is a critical constraint when developing modern, computerized land administration and management systems. The importance of intensive capacity building and technical assistance to ensure that the development and maintenance of such systems is effectively operational, efficient and responds to the country's needs, cannot be overemphasized. Extensive experience in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region and elsewhere shows that land-related ICT projects are more likely to be very successful with complementary technical assistance and training to provide continuity of support for institutional strengthening and ICT development. As such, the technical leap forward needs to be combined with a requisite capacity building program to transform land administration agencies into customer-centric service organizations. Likewise, GKZGDK's ICT capacity will be critical for the success of the new computerized system development, maintenance, and sustainability. Building in-country ICT capacity is particularly important as Uzbekistan embarks for the first time on a systematic effort to modernize its land administration and management system within the broader context of the growing eGovernment structure and services. The proposed project will thus focus on institutional development and capacity building in ICT infrastructure maintenance, addressing the long-term challenges of sustainability and governance of real estate registries. In particular, it will provide technical assistance (TA) to ensure ongoing institutional continuity and development, including the creation of an ICT Competence Center, as the long-term solution needed for the sustainability of the future Public Disclosure Copy digital integrated registry and cadastre system. As such, the proposed project will enhance impact of the MRPRC Project, the objective of which is to establish an efficient and accessible ICT-based land and real property information system. Relationship to CAS/CPS/CPF The proposed TA project is in line with the priorities set out in the recently approved Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2016-2020. The project will build institutional capacity through extensive training for government officials and private sector land and real estate professionals, thereby improving the business environment and developing human resource capital. The project will contribute to the CPF objective of promoting private sector and job growth by ensuring the provision of an ICT/spatial base and infrastructure for a modern market economy. The project will further contribute to improving governance and access to information (a CPF cross-cutting theme) by improving the transparency of property ownership and transactions, customer orientation, attention to beneficiary feedback and inclusiveness of services, and facilitating spatial data access, exchange and sharing at the national and local levels. II. Project Development Objective(s) Proposed Development Objective(s) Page 2 of 6 The proposed Development Objective is to build the capacity of the State Committee for Land Resources, Geodesy, Cartography and State Cadastre (GKZGDK) to manage the development and maintenance of the computerized systems for land administration and geospatial information Public Disclosure Copy management. The TA project would accomplish this through the training of GKZGDK staff in the digitization of land administration records and the adoption of modern fit-for-purpose ICT and geospatial technologies. Key Results It is expected that support from the proposed TA project will result in the ICT capacity of Uzbekistan and particularly of GKZGDK reaching a critical mass for independent further development and maintenance of the new ICT system and advancement of the modernization of land administration and management without the need for extensive external support. As such, the TA project is directly supporting the sustainability of ICT investments under the MRPRC Project. This result would be measured mainly by: (i) an effectively operational ICT Competence Center in place; and (ii) GKZGDK having the capacity for ICT project management. III. Preliminary Description Concept Description The proposed TA project would finance the delivery of a comprehensive capacity building program that will allow Uzbekistan to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to establish a digital geospatial information system, in particular through the MRPRC Project, according to the country's needs. More importantly, such support will ensure the sustainability of the new electronic system, including maintenance, management, expansion and upgrade. It will also be critical to enable the country to take the lead on parallel or subsequent reforms in support of eGovernment initiatives and private sector development that are based on the use of digital land and geospatial information and Public Disclosure Copy for which reliance only on foreign technology transfer is not realistic. The core elements of the capacity building program will be: (i) provision of continuous, on the ground technical assistance to support GKZGDK in the implementation of the MRPRC project components; and (ii) design and implementation of a targeted training program. Component 1: Technical Assistance 1.A Real Property Registration and Cadastre System Development. This sub-component would support GKZGDK in managing the incremental development and roll-out of a new ICT-based Integrated Information System for Real Property Registration and Cadastre (IISRPRC), including the development of IISRPRC's infrastructure and improved operational environment, procedures, service standards and applications. In particular, the TA will provide advice and transfer of knowledge on: (i) the development and maintenance of a reliable e-system for the management of geospatial data and property rights, including the development of technical specifications; (ii) quality control over the products delivered by the contractors, as per technical specifications, including technical support for auditing, evaluating, and testing of the e-system and ensuring quality technical documentation; (iii) the establishment of an ICT Competence Center (domain and system analysts, software developers, database and Geographic Information System (GIS) specialists, system and network administrators), including a mechanism for the continuous knowledge transfer Page 3 of 6 from the ICT system developer to the Center. Expected outputs: Public Disclosure Copy In-country technical assistance including: - Business process review manual; - Technical specifications for IISRPRC system development and upgrade guidance; - Quality Control manuals; - ICT training and knowledge transfer; - ICT Competence Center business plan; and - Identification of legal changes for the operationalization of the new web-based IISRPRC. 1.B Real Property Registration and Cadastre Data Development. This sub-component would support GKZGDK in the digitization of current manual property registration and cadastre records (including both attribute and geospatial data) for the new IISRPRC. The TA will focus on (i) supporting the planning, management, monitoring, and implementation of the mass digitization process. In particular, the TA will provide advice and recommendation on the development of technical specifications and the methodology for the digitization process, as well as quality control and acceptance activities for the digitization of geospatial data. It will also support GKZGDK's in-house campaign for integration and conversion of digital textual and graphic data into IISRPRC, and the migration, harmonization and population of the uniform IISRPRC database. Expected outputs: - Data assessment guidelines; - Mass digitization methodology development and manual; - Quality Control development and manual; - Mass digitization training. Public Disclosure Copy 1.C Use of Real Property Registry and Cadastre Data. The TA would provide support for enhancing public on-line use of IISRPRC data and the development of a modern framework and technological platform in compliance with the country's eGovernment Master Plan. In particular, the TA would support: (i) the preparation of a strategy that will define the infrastructure, data formats, standards and initial services to provide on-line access and sharing of geospatial data for authorities, business entities, organizations and citizens; and (ii) the development of necessary legislation, institutional agreements and guidelines for the establishment of a National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), including a national Geoportal to access land and spatial information. Expected outputs: - Input into and revision of the draft spatial data sharing strategy, standards, specifications, guidelines, services, and interaction and data sharing arrangements; - Input into the preparation and revision of the technical specifications for the development of a national Geoportal. Component 2: Training. This component would focus on the design of a targeted training and knowledge transfer program for the benefit of both institutional and private sector stakeholders. This program would include, Page 4 of 6 among other, training on: - ICT project and contract management; Public Disclosure Copy - Development and maintenance of the electronic integrated registry and cadastre system; - Project management; - Raising the awareness on advantages of the digital work; - Customer-orientation; - Use of the new registration system by staff, surveyors, and notaries; - Strategic and business planning; - Digitization, quality control of spatial and land administration data. Expected outputs: - Training needs assessment; - Training plan; and - Study tours. IV. Safeguard Policies that Might Apply Safeguard Policies Triggered by the Project Yes No TBD Environmental Assessment OP/BP 4.01 ✖ Natural Habitats OP/BP 4.04 ✖ Forests OP/BP 4.36 ✖ Pest Management OP 4.09 ✖ Physical Cultural Resources OP/BP 4.11 ✖ Indigenous Peoples OP/BP 4.10 ✖ Involuntary Resettlement OP/BP 4.12 ✖ Public Disclosure Copy Safety of Dams OP/BP 4.37 ✖ Projects on International Waterways OP/BP 7.50 ✖ Projects in Disputed Areas OP/BP 7.60 ✖ V. Financing (in USD Million) Total Project Cost: 1.557 Total Bank Financing: 0 Financing Gap: 0 Financing Source Amount Korea WB Partnership Facility 1.557 VI. Contact point World Bank Contact: Anna Corsi Title: Sr Land Administration Special Tel: 458-2871 Email: acorsi@worldbank.org Borrower/Client/Recipient Name: Republic of Uzbekistan Page 5 of 6 Contact: Title: Tel: Public Disclosure Copy Email: Implementing Agencies Name: State Committee for Land Resources, Geodesy, Cartography and State Cadastre, Gosgomzemgeodescadastre Contact: Saidkul Arabov Title: Chairman Tel: 998712777614 Email: info@ygk.uz VII. For more information contact: The InfoShop The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20433 Telephone: (202) 458-4500 Fax: (202) 522-1500 Web: http://www.worldbank.org/infoshop Public Disclosure Copy Page 6 of 6