82 FR 61036 - Fiscal Year 2018 Report on the Selection of Eligible Countries for Fiscal Year 2018
MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 246 (December 26, 2017)
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 246 (December 26, 2017)
| Page Range | 61036-61038 | |
| FR Document | 2017-27876 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 26, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 61036-61038] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-27876] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION [MCC FR 18-04] Fiscal Year 2018 Report on the Selection of Eligible Countries for Fiscal Year 2018 AGENCY: Millennium Challenge Corporation. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This report is provided in accordance with section 608(d)(1) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003, Public Law 108-199, Division D, (the ``Act''), 22 U.S.C. 7708(d)(1). Dated: December 20, 2017. Jeanne M. Hauch, VP/General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Millennium Challenge Corporation. Report on the Selection of Eligible Countries for Fiscal Year 2018 Summary This report is provided in accordance with section 608(d)(1) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003, as amended, Public Law 108-199, Division D, (the ``Act'') (22 U.S.C. 7707(d)(1)). The Act authorizes the provision of assistance under section 605 of the Act (22 U.S.C. 7704) to countries that enter into compacts with the United States to support policies and programs that advance the progress of such countries in achieving lasting economic growth and poverty reduction, and are in furtherance of the Act. The Act requires the Millennium Challenge Corporation (``MCC'') to determine the countries that will be eligible to receive assistance for the fiscal year, based on their demonstrated commitment to just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and investing in their people, as well as on the opportunity to reduce poverty and generate economic growth in the country. The Act also requires the submission of reports to appropriate congressional committees and the publication of notices in the Federal Register that identify, among other things: 1. The countries that are ``candidate countries'' for assistance for fiscal year (``FY'') 2018 based on their per-capita income levels and their eligibility to receive assistance under U.S. law, and countries that would be candidate countries but for specified legal prohibitions on assistance (section 608(a) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 7707(a))); 2. The criteria and methodology that the Board of Directors of MCC (the ``Board'') will use to measure and evaluate the policy performance of the ``candidate countries'' consistent with the requirements of section 607 of the Act in order to select ``eligible countries'' from among the ``candidate countries'' (section 608(b) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 7707(b))); and 3. The list of countries determined by the Board to be ``eligible countries'' for FY 2018, with justification for eligibility determination and selection for compact negotiation, including with which of the eligible countries the Board will seek to enter into compacts (section 608(d) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 7707(d))). This is the third of the above-described reports by MCC for FY 2018. It identifies countries determined by the Board to be eligible under section 607 of the Act (22 U.S.C. 7706) for FY 2018 with which the MCC will seek to enter into compacts under section 609 of the Act (22 U.S.C. 7708), as well as the justification for such decisions. The report also identifies countries selected by the Board to receive assistance under MCC's threshold program pursuant to section 616 of the Act (22 U.S.C. 7715). Eligible Countries The Board met on December 19, 2017 to select those eligible countries with which the United States, through MCC, [[Page 61037]] will seek to enter into a Millennium Challenge Compact pursuant to section 607 of the Act (22 U.S.C. 7706) for FY 2018. The Board selected the following eligible country for such assistance for FY 2018: Timor- Leste. The Board also reselected the following countries for compact assistance for FY 2018: Burkina Faso, Lesotho, Mongolia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, and Tunisia. Criteria In accordance with the Act and with the ``Report on the Criteria and Methodology for Determining the Eligibility of Candidate Countries for Millennium Challenge Account Assistance in Fiscal Year 2018'' formally submitted to Congress on September 27, 2017, selection was based primarily on a country's overall performance in three broad policy categories: Ruling Justly, Encouraging Economic Freedom, and Investing in People. The Board relied, to the maximum extent possible, upon transparent and independent indicators to assess countries' policy performance and demonstrated commitment in these three broad policy areas. The Board compared countries' performance on the indicators relative to their income-level peers, evaluating them in comparison to either the group of low income countries (``LIC'') or the group of lower middle income countries (``LMIC''). The criteria and methodology used to assess countries on the annual scorecards are outlined in the ``Report on the Criteria and Methodology for Determining the Eligibility of Candidate Countries for Millennium Challenge Account Assistance in Fiscal Year 2018.'' \1\ Scorecards reflecting each country's performance on the indicators are available on MCC's website at www.mcc.gov/scorecards. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Available at https://www.mcc.gov/resources/doc/report-selection-criteria-and-methodology-fy18. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Board also considered whether any adjustments should be made for data gaps, data lags, or recent events since the indicators were published, as well as strengths or weaknesses in particular indicators. Where appropriate, the Board took into account additional quantitative and qualitative information, such as evidence of a country's commitment to fighting corruption, investments in human development outcomes, or poverty rates. For example, for additional information in the area of corruption, the Board considered how a country is evaluated by supplemental sources like Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, the Global Integrity Report, Open Government Partnership status, and the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, among others, as well as on the defined indicator. The Board also took into account the margin of error around an indicator, when applicable. In keeping with legislative directives, the Board also considered the opportunity to reduce poverty and promote economic growth in a country, in light of the overall information available, as well as the availability of appropriated funds. This was the ninth year the Board considered the eligibility of countries for subsequent compacts, as permitted under section 609(k) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 7708(k)). As in previous years, they considered the higher bar expected of subsequent compact countries, including examining the implementation of the first compact, and evidence of both improved scorecard policy performance and a commitment to reform. The Board also considered the eligibility of countries for initial compacts. The Board sees the selection decision as an annual opportunity to determine where MCC funds can be most effectively invested to support poverty reduction through economic growth in relatively well-governed, poor countries. The Board carefully considers the appropriate nature of each country partnership--on a case-by-case basis--based on factors related to economic growth and poverty reduction, the sustainability of MCC's investments, and the country's ability to attract and leverage public and private resources in support of development. In addition, this is the second year where the Board considered an explicit higher bar for those countries close to the upper end of the candidate pool, looking closely in such cases at a country's access to development financing, the nature of poverty in the country, and its policy performance. As with previous years, a number of countries that performed well on the quantitative elements of the eligibility criteria (i.e., on the policy indicators) were not chosen to develop a compact for FY 2018. FY 2018 was a particularly competitive year: Several countries were already working to develop compacts, multiple countries passed the scorecard (some for the first time), and funding was limited due to budget constraints. As a result, only one country that passed the scorecard and related stringent eligibility criteria was newly selected to develop an MCC compact, and only one country for the threshold program. MCC's engagement with partner countries is not open-ended, and the Board is very deliberate when selecting for follow-on partnerships. In making subsequent compact selection decisions, the Board considered--in addition to the criteria outlined above--the country's performance implementing its first compact, including the nature of the country's partnership with MCC, the degree to which the country has demonstrated a commitment and capacity to achieve program results, and the degree to which the country has implemented the compact in accordance with MCC's core policies and standards. To the greatest extent possible, this was assessed using pre-existing monitoring and evaluation targets and regular quarterly reporting. This information was supplemented with direct surveys and consultation with MCC staff responsible for compact implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. MCC published a Guide to Supplemental Information \2\ and a Guide to the Compact Survey Summary \3\ in order to increase transparency about the type of supplemental information the Board uses to assess a country's policy performance and compact implementation performance. The Board also considered a country's commitment to further sector reform, as well as evidence of improved scorecard policy performance. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ Available at https://www.mcc.gov/resources/doc/guide-to-supplemental-information-fy18. \3\ Available at https://www.mcc.gov/resources/doc/guide-to-the-compact-survey-summary-fy18. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Countries Newly Selected for Compact Assistance Using the criteria described above, Timor-Leste was the only candidate country under section 606(a) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 7705(a)) that was newly selected for assistance under section 607 of the Act (22 U.S.C. 7706). Timor-Leste: Timor-Leste passes the MCC scorecard with 13 of 20 indicators met, including the hard hurdles on both control of corruption and democratic rights (including both Political Rights and Civil Liberties). MCC has found Timor-Leste to be a willing and committed partner during development of the threshold program over the past year. As a result, MCC feels Timor-Leste is now solidly exemplifying the profile of a compact partner, and has decided to move Timor-Leste from the threshold program to the compact program. Work done to date in developing the threshold program will contribute to the compact development process. Countries Reselected To Continue Compact Development Five of the countries selected for compact assistance for FY 2018 were previously selected for FY 2017. These [[Page 61038]] countries are Burkina Faso, Mongolia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, and Tunisia. The Board reselected these countries based on their continued or improved policy performance since their prior selection. Lesotho, which had originally been selected for compact assistance for FY 2014, received vote deferrals for reselection in FY 2016 and FY 2017. Due to positive actions taken by the Government of Lesotho this year, the Board has once again selected the country for compact assistance for FY 2018. Countries Selected To Receive Threshold Program Assistance The Board selected The Gambia to receive threshold program assistance. The Gambia: The Gambia offers MCC the opportunity to support the government as it continues its democratic transition following the inauguration of its new president in early 2017 and successful legislative elections in April 2017. While it has historically struggled to pass the MCC scorecard due to its performance on the democratic rights hard hurdle, the recent transition and reforms being pursued suggest the country will see strong improvements on these indicators in the coming years. The Gambia meets 12 of 20 indicators overall on the scorecard and demonstrates good performance on the control of corruption indicator. Ongoing Review of Partner Countries' Policy Performance The Board emphasized the need for all partner countries to maintain or improve their policy performance. If it is determined during compact implementation that a country has demonstrated a significant policy reversal, MCC can hold it accountable by applying MCC's Suspension and Termination Policy.\4\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ Available at https://www.mcc.gov/resources/doc/policy-on-suspension-and-termination. [FR Doc. 2017-27876 Filed 12-21-17; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 9211-03-P
![61036 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2017 / Notices
III. Proposed Actions security numbers and dates of birth. The Act authorizes the provision of
OSHA is requesting that OMB extend Although all submissions are listed in assistance under section 605 of the Act
its approval of the information the http://www.regulations.gov index, (22 U.S.C. 7704) to countries that enter
collection requirements contained in the some information (e.g., copyrighted into compacts with the United States to
Standard on Servicing Multi-Piece and material) is not publically available to support policies and programs that
Single Piece Rim Wheels (29 CFR read or download through this website. advance the progress of such countries
1910.177). OSHA is proposing to retain All submissions, including copyrighted in achieving lasting economic growth
material, are available for inspection and poverty reduction, and are in
its current burden hour estimate of one
and copying at the OSHA Docket Office. furtherance of the Act. The Act requires
(1) hour. The Agency will summarize
Information on using the http:// the Millennium Challenge Corporation
the comments submitted in response to
www.regulations.gov website to submit (‘‘MCC’’) to determine the countries that
this notice and will include this
comments and access the docket is will be eligible to receive assistance for
summary in the request to OMB.
available at the website’s ‘‘User Tips’’ the fiscal year, based on their
Type of Review: Extension of a
link. Contact the OSHA Docket Office demonstrated commitment to just and
currently approved collection.
for information about materials not democratic governance, economic
Title: Servicing Multi-Piece and
available through the website, and for freedom, and investing in their people,
Single Piece Rim Wheels (29 CFR
assistance in using the internet to locate as well as on the opportunity to reduce
1910.177).
docket submissions. poverty and generate economic growth
OMB Control Number: 1218–0219.
in the country. The Act also requires the
Affected Public: Business or other for- V. Authority and Signature submission of reports to appropriate
profits.
Loren Sweatt, Deputy Assistant congressional committees and the
Number of Respondents: 85.
Secretary of Labor for Occupational publication of notices in the Federal
Frequency of Responses: On occasion.
Safety and Health, directed the Register that identify, among other
Average Time per Response: Various.
preparation of this notice. The authority things:
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1. 1. The countries that are ‘‘candidate
Estimated Cost (Operation and for this notice is the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506 countries’’ for assistance for fiscal year
Maintenance): $0. (‘‘FY’’) 2018 based on their per-capita
et seq.) and Secretary of Labor’s Order
IV. Public Participation—Submission of No. 1–2012 (77 FR 3912). income levels and their eligibility to
Comments on This Notice and Internet receive assistance under U.S. law, and
Signed at Washington, DC, on December
Access to Comments and Submissions countries that would be candidate
12, 2017.
countries but for specified legal
You may submit comments in Loren Sweatt,
prohibitions on assistance (section
response to this document as follows: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for 608(a) of the Act (22 U.S.C. 7707(a)));
(1) Electronically at http:// Occupational Safety and Health. 2. The criteria and methodology that
regulations.gov, which is the Federal [FR Doc. 2017–27665 Filed 12–22–17; 8:45 am] the Board of Directors of MCC (the
eRulemaking Portal; (2) by facsimile BILLING CODE 4510–26–P ‘‘Board’’) will use to measure and
(fax); or (3) by hard copy. All comments, evaluate the policy performance of the
attachments, and other materials must ‘‘candidate countries’’ consistent with
identify the Agency name and the MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE the requirements of section 607 of the
OSHA docket number for the ICR CORPORATION Act in order to select ‘‘eligible
(Docket No. OSHA–2011–0189). You countries’’ from among the ‘‘candidate
may supplement electronic submissions [MCC FR 18–04]
countries’’ (section 608(b) of the Act (22
by uploading document files U.S.C. 7707(b))); and
electronically. If you wish to mail Fiscal Year 2018 Report on the
Selection of Eligible Countries for 3. The list of countries determined by
additional materials in reference to an the Board to be ‘‘eligible countries’’ for
electronic or facsimile submission, you Fiscal Year 2018
FY 2018, with justification for eligibility
must submit them to the OSHA Docket AGENCY: Millennium Challenge determination and selection for compact
Office (see the section of this notice Corporation. negotiation, including with which of the
titled ADDRESSES). The additional eligible countries the Board will seek to
ACTION: Notice.
materials must clearly identify your enter into compacts (section 608(d) of
electronic comments by your name, SUMMARY: This report is provided in the Act (22 U.S.C. 7707(d))).
date, and the docket number so the accordance with section 608(d)(1) of the This is the third of the above-
Agency can attach them to your Millennium Challenge Act of 2003, described reports by MCC for FY 2018.
comments. Public Law 108–199, Division D, (the It identifies countries determined by the
Because of security procedures, the ‘‘Act’’), 22 U.S.C. 7708(d)(1). Board to be eligible under section 607
use of regular mail may cause a of the Act (22 U.S.C. 7706) for FY 2018
Dated: December 20, 2017.
significant delay in the receipt of with which the MCC will seek to enter
comments. For information about Jeanne M. Hauch,
into compacts under section 609 of the
security procedures concerning the VP/General Counsel and Corporate Secretary,
Millennium Challenge Corporation.
Act (22 U.S.C. 7708), as well as the
delivery of materials by hand, express justification for such decisions. The
delivery, messenger, or courier service, Report on the Selection of Eligible report also identifies countries selected
please contact the OSHA Docket Office Countries for Fiscal Year 2018 by the Board to receive assistance under
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
at (202) 693–2350, (TTY (877) 889– MCC’s threshold program pursuant to
5627). Summary
section 616 of the Act (22 U.S.C. 7715).
Comments and submissions are This report is provided in accordance
posted without change at http:// with section 608(d)(1) of the Eligible Countries
www.regulations.gov. Therefore, OSHA Millennium Challenge Act of 2003, as The Board met on December 19, 2017
cautions comments about submitting amended, Public Law 108–199, Division to select those eligible countries with
personal information such as social D, (the ‘‘Act’’) (22 U.S.C. 7707(d)(1)). which the United States, through MCC,
VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:21 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00089 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26DEN1.SGM 26DEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_61282/page/1.svg)
![61038 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2017 / Notices
countries are Burkina Faso, Mongolia, Archives and Records Administration additional accommodations (e.g., a
Senegal, Sri Lanka, and Tunisia. The (NARA). transcript), email foia-advisory-committee@
Board reselected these countries based nara.gov or call 202–741–5770. Members of
ACTION: Notice of Federal Advisory
on their continued or improved policy the media who wish to register, those who
Committee Meeting. are unable to register online, and those who
performance since their prior selection. require special accommodations, should
Lesotho, which had originally been SUMMARY: We are announcing the
contact Amy Bennett at the phone number,
selected for compact assistance for FY following committee meeting of the
mailing address, or email address listed
2014, received vote deferrals for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) above.
reselection in FY 2016 and FY 2017. Advisory Committee.
Due to positive actions taken by the DATES: The meeting will be held on Patrice Little Murray,
Government of Lesotho this year, the January 16, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to Committee Management Officer.
Board has once again selected the 1:00 p.m. EDT. You must register for the [FR Doc. 2017–27681 Filed 12–22–17; 8:45 am]
country for compact assistance for FY meeting by 5:00 p.m. EDT on January BILLING CODE 7515–01–P
2018. 15, 2018.
ADDRESSES: National Archives and
Countries Selected To Receive Records Administration, 700
Threshold Program Assistance Pennsylvania Avenue NW, William G. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
The Board selected The Gambia to McGowan Theater, Washington, DC Agency Notice of Record of Decision
receive threshold program assistance. 20408. for the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto
The Gambia: The Gambia offers MCC FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rico
the opportunity to support the Amy Bennett, Designated Federal
government as it continues its Officer for this committee, by mail at AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
democratic transition following the National Archives and Records ACTION: Notice of Record of Decision.
inauguration of its new president in Administration, Office of Government
early 2017 and successful legislative Information Services, 8601 Adelphi SUMMARY: On November 15, 2017, the
elections in April 2017. While it has Road—OGIS, College Park, MD 20740– National Science Foundation (NSF)
historically struggled to pass the MCC 6001, by telephone at 202–741–5770, or signed a Record of Decision (ROD) for
scorecard due to its performance on the by email at foia-advisory-committee@ the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico.
democratic rights hard hurdle, the nara.gov. This important step concludes the
recent transition and reforms being agency’s decision-making process with
pursued suggest the country will see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We respect to the general path forward for
strong improvements on these announce this advisory committee facility operations in a budget-
indicators in the coming years. The meeting in accordance with the Federal constrained environment, and provides
Gambia meets 12 of 20 indicators Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App) the basis for a future decision regarding
overall on the scorecard and and the second United States Open a new collaborator.
demonstrates good performance on the Government National Action Plan FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
control of corruption indicator. (NAP) released on December 5, 2013. Elizabeth A. Pentecost, Project
Agenda and meeting materials: You
Ongoing Review of Partner Countries’ Administrator, National Science
may find all meeting materials at
Policy Performance Foundation, Division of Astronomical
https://ogis.archives.gov/foia-advisory-
Sciences, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue,
The Board emphasized the need for committee/2016-2018-term/
Room W 9152, Alexandria, VA 22314.
all partner countries to maintain or Meetings.htm. This will be the seventh
Telephone: 703–292–4907, Email:
improve their policy performance. If it meeting of the second committee term.
epenteco@nsf.gov.
is determined during compact The purpose of this meeting will be to
review the work of the committee’s SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NSF
implementation that a country has issued its ROD following authorization
demonstrated a significant policy three subcommittees. Information on
them is at https://ogis.archives.gov/foia- from the National Science Board on
reversal, MCC can hold it accountable November 9, 2017. The ROD was
by applying MCC’s Suspension and advisory-committee/2016-2018-term/
Subcommittees.htm. preceded by an extensive environmental
Termination Policy.4 impact analysis and broad input from
Procedures: The meeting is open to
[FR Doc. 2017–27876 Filed 12–21–17; 4:15 pm] the public and the scientific
the public. Due to security
BILLING CODE 9211–03–P requirements, you must register in community, including the National
advance if you wish to attend the Academies 6th Decadal Survey released
meeting. You will also go through in 2010, the NSF Division of
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS security screening when you enter the Astronomical Sciences Portfolio Review
ADMINISTRATION building. Registration for the meeting Committee Reportreleased in 2012, and
will go live via Eventbrite on December the NSF Geospace Sciences Portfolio
Office of Government Information 19, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. To register Review Committee Report released in
Services for the meeting, please do so at this 2016.
Eventbrite link: https:// The ROD formalizes the selection of
[NARA–2018–011] NSF’s Preferred Alternative:
www.eventbrite.com/e/freedom-of-
information-act-foia-advisory- collaboration with interested parties to
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
committee-meeting-january-16-2018- maintain science-focused operations at
Advisory Committee
registration-37728051618. the Observatory with reduced agency
AGENCY: Office of Government funding. The selection of this
This program will be live-streamed on the
Information Services (OGIS), National U.S. National Archives’ YouTube channel at Alternative will allow important
https://www.youtube.com/user/ research to continue while
4 Available at https://www.mcc.gov/resources/ usnationalarchives/playlists. The webcast accommodating the agency’s budgetary
doc/policy-on-suspension-and-termination. will include a captioning option. To request constraints and its core mission to
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Document Created: 2017-12-23 03:08:55
Document Modified: 2017-12-23 03:08:55
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
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| FR Citation | 82 FR 61036 |
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