World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives CAR COS FY17 Report (Final).docx FY 2021 Maldives Country Opinion Survey Report THE WORLD BANK GROUP Public Opinion Research Group 1 May 2021 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives Acknowledgements The Maldives Country Opinion Survey is part of the County Opinion Survey Program series of the World Bank Group. This report was prepared by the Public Opinion Research Group (PORG), led by Sharon Felzer (Senior Communications Officer, Head of PORG). Svetlana Markova, Jessica Cameron, and Yulia Danilina oversaw design, reporting, and analysis. Dania Mendoza, Noreen Wambui, and Irina Popova provided data support. PORG acknowledges the significant contribution from the Maldives country team and independent fielding agency FJS Consulting Pvt Ltd. In particular, PORG is grateful for the support from Jamile Ramadan (Senior Country Officer) and Shadiya Adam (Operations Officer) who coordinated the survey related activities from Washington, DC, and Male, Maldives. 1 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives Table of Contents I. Objectives ...................................................................................3 II. Methodology ...............................................................................3 III. Demographics of the Sample.......................................................4 IV. Overall Context ...........................................................................8 V. Overall Attitudes Toward the World Bank Group ......................14 VI. World Bank Group’s Support in Development Areas .................19 VII. World Bank Group’s Work and Engagement on the Ground .....21 VIII. World Bank Group’s Knowledge and Instruments .....................25 IX. The Future Role of the WBG in Maldives ...................................29 X. Communication and Outreach ................................................. 32 XI. Appendices................................................................................36 MALDIVES 2 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives I. Objectives This survey was designed to assist the World Bank Group (WBG) in gaining a better understanding of how stakeholders in Maldives perceive the WBG. The survey explored: ▪ Overall Context ▪ Overall Attitudes toward the World Bank Group ▪ World Bank Group’s Work and Engagement on the Ground ▪ World Bank Group’s Support in Development Areas ▪ World Bank Group’s Knowledge Work and Activities ▪ The Future Role of the World Bank Group in Maldives ▪ Communication and Information Sharing ▪ Background Information II. Methodology From February 2021 to March 2021, 378 stakeholders of the WBG in Maldives were invited to provide their opinions on the WBG’s work in the country by participating in a Country Opinion Survey. Participants were drawn from the office of the President; the parliament; ministries/ministerial departments/implementation agencies; Project Management Units (PMUs) overseeing implementation of WBG projects; consultants/contractors working on WBG- supported projects/programs; local governments; independent government institutions; the judicial system; state-owned enterprises; bilateral and multilateral agencies; private sector organizations; the financial sector/private banks; private foundations; NGOs and community based organizations; trade unions; religious groups; youth groups; academia/research institutes/think tanks; the media; and other organizations. A total of 86 stakeholders participated in the survey (23% response rate). Respondents filled out the questionnaires online, or they received it via a courier or email and returned it accordingly. Every country that engages in the Country Opinion Survey (COS) must include specific indicator questions that will be aggregated for the World Bank Group’s annual Corporate Scorecard. These questions are identified throughout the survey report. The results in this year’s Country Survey were compared to those in the Country Survey conducted in FY’18 (response rate was 35%, N=106). Data were weighted to reach the same stakeholder composition in two years, which allows for year comparisons. Stakeholder groups which were not present in both fiscal years were not included in the comparison. Respondents who belonged to the “other” stakeholder category were not included either. As a result, mean ratings, percentages of respondents, and the total number of respondents in both years are slightly different from those of the original data reported in the FY’18 COS report and the non- weighted data presented in appendices A, B, C and E. For the weighted stakeholder breakdown and year comparison results, please refer to Appendix D (page 75). Note that the body of the report presents data on selected questions of the survey questionnaire. Please refer to Appendix A for data on all survey questions. Appendices B, C, D, and E present data on selected questions. Additional data breakdowns are available upon request. 3 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives III. Demographics of the Sample Current Position ▪ Note that for further analyses, some respondent groups were combined.1 1 Respondents from ministries/ministerial departments/implementation agencies were combined with respondents from PMUs/consultants/ contractors working on WBG projects; respondents from bilateral agencies were combined with those from multilateral agencies; respondents from the financial sector/private banks were combined with those from private sector organizations. The small number of respondents from the office of the President, from state-owned enterprises, and from the media were included in the “Other” category. There were no respondents from the parliament, from the judicial system, from private foundations, trade unions, religious groups, and youth groups. 4 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives III. Demographics of the Sample (continued) Area of Primary Specialization 5 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives III. Demographics of the Sample (continued) Geographic Locations Exposure to Agencies within the World Bank Group 6 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives III. Demographics of the Sample (continued) Familiarity with the World Bank Group ▪ Year comparison: Respondents in this year’s Country Survey had statistically similar levels of familiarity with the WBG compared to respondents in the FY’18 Country Survey (weighted mean in FY’21 = 5.2; weighted mean in FY’18 = 5.3)2. ▪ Impact of familiarity: Respondents’ ratings of familiarity3 with the WBG were significantly, moderately correlated with their ratings for the WBG’s overall effectiveness4 in Maldives, with their agreement that the WBG plays a relevant role in Maldives’s development. and with their ratings of the extent to which the WBG’s work helps achieve development results in Maldives. 2 The means in the chart on this page were calculated based on un-weighted data. Please refer to Appendix D (page 75) for more details on weighting. 3 In FY 2021, the question about familiarity was asked separately about the World Bank and the IFC (B1_1 and B1_2). A mean score of responses provided to these two questions was used in this calculation. 4 In FY 2021, the question about effectiveness was asked separately about the World Bank and the IFC (B4_1 and B4_2). A mean score of responses provided to these two questions was used in this calculation. 7 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives IV. Overall Context Perceptions of Economic Opportunity 8 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives IV. Overall Context (continued) Development Priority ▪ Year comparison: Respondents in the previous FY’18 Country Survey indicated that the most important development priorities in Maldives were “job creation/employment” (26%), “anticorruption” (25%), “judiciary reform” (23%), “education” (19%), and “health” (19%). 9 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives IV. Overall Context (continued) What Would Contribute Most to Reducing Poverty ▪ Year comparison: Respondents in the previous FY’18 Country Survey indicated that the biggest contributors to poverty reduction in Maldives were “job creation/employment” (43%), “social protection” (31%), “anticorruption” (24%), “public sector governance/reform” (24%), and “equality of opportunity” (22%). 10 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives IV. Overall Context (continued) COVID-19 Pandemic: Where the Government of Maldives Should Focus 11 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives IV. Overall Context (continued) Trust in Institutions 12 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives IV. Overall Context (continued) Attributions for Slow/Failed Reform Efforts 13 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives V. Overall Attitudes toward the World Bank Group The World Bank Group’s Overall Effectiveness5 (Indicator Question) Achieving Development Results (Indicator Question) 5 Means in the first two charts on this page were calculated based on weighted data. 14 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives V. Overall Attitudes toward the World Bank Group (continued) Influence on Maldives’s Development Agenda (Indicator Question) WBG Staff Preparedness6 6 Means in the charts on this page were calculated based on weighted data. 15 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives V. Overall Attitudes toward the World Bank Group (continued) Overall Ratings for Indicator Questions by Stakeholder Groups 16 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives V. Overall Attitudes toward the World Bank Group (continued) Greatest Value ▪ Year comparison: Respondents in the previous FY’18 Country Survey indicated that the WBG’s greatest values to Maldives were “financial resources” (40%), “technical assistance” (38%), and “capacity development related to World Bank Group supported projects” (33%). 17 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives V. Overall Attitudes toward the World Bank Group (continued) Greatest Weakness ▪ Year comparison: Respondents in the previous FY’18 Country Survey indicated that the WBG’s greatest weaknesses in its work in Maldives were “not collaborating enough with civil society” (21%) and “not adequately sensitive to political/social realities in Maldives” (20%). 18 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives VI. World Bank Group’s Support in Development Areas Effectiveness of WBG’s Support in Sectoral Areas: Year Comparison7 7Means presented in this chart were calculated based on weighted data. See Appendix D for details. Note that only those options that were included in both FY18 and FY21 questionnaires are presented in this chart. 19 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives VI. WBG’s Support in Development Areas (continued) Helping the Poorest8 Support Related to COVID-19 Outbreak 8 Percentages presented in this chart were calculated based on weighted data. 20 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives VII. World Bank Group’s Work and Engagement on the Ground The World Bank Group’s Work in Maldives: Year Comparison9 9 Means in this chart were calculated based on weighted data. 21 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives VII. WBG’s Work and Engagement on the Ground (continued) Overall Perceptions: Year Comparison10 10 Means in this chart were calculated based on weighted data. 22 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives VII. WBG’s Work and Engagement on the Ground (continued) The WBG as an Effective Development Partner: Year Comparison11 11 Means in this chart were calculated based on weighted data. 23 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives VII. WBG’s Work and Engagement on the Ground (continued) Effectiveness of WBG’s Support12 12 Means in this chart were calculated based on weighted data. 24 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives VIII. World Bank Group’s Knowledge and Instruments Frequency of Consulting WBG Knowledge Work and Activities 25 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives VIII. World Bank Group’s Knowledge and Instruments (continued) Meeting Maldives’s Knowledge Needs13 (Indicator Question) Contribution of the WBG’s Knowledge Work and Activities (Indicator Question) Technical Quality of the WBG’s Knowledge Work and Activities (Indicator Question) 13 Means in the charts on this page were calculated based on weighted data. 26 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives VIII. World Bank Group’s Knowledge and Instruments (continued) Qualities of the WBG’s Knowledge Work and Activities14 14 Means in this chart were calculated based on weighted data. 27 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives VIII. World Bank Group’s Knowledge and Instruments (continued) Usefulness of the COVID-19 “Approach Paper” Meeting Maldives’s Needs for Financial Instruments15 (Indicator Question) WBG’s Global Advocacy Role (Indicator Question) 15 Means in this chart were calculated based on weighted data. 28 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives IX. The Future Role of the World Bank Group in Maldives Making the World Bank Group of Greater Value ▪ Year comparison: Respondents in the previous FY’18 Country Survey indicated that the WBG should “increase the level of capacity development in the country” (38%), “provide more adequate data/knowledge/statistics/figures on Maldives’s economy” (23%), “work more with the private sector” (23%), and “work more with civil society and beneficiary representatives” (22%) to make itself of greater value in Maldives. 29 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives IX. The Future Role of the WBG in Maldives (continued) The World Bank Group Should Collaborate More with … ▪ Year comparison: Respondents in the FY’18 Country Survey indicated that the WBG should collaborate more with “NGOs/community-based organizations” (33%) and “private sector” (31%) to ensure better development results in Maldives. 30 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives IX. The Future Role of the WBG in Maldives (continued) Where the World Bank Group Should Focus its Resources ▪ Year comparison: Respondents in the previous FY’18 Country Survey indicated that the WBG should focus its resources on “public sector governance/reform” (26%), “private sector development” (22%), “anticorruption” (21%), “judiciary reform” (20%), and “health” (19%). 31 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives X. Communication and Outreach Note: When considering the World Bank Group’s future outreach with key constituencies, please see Appendix B (page 53) for selected responses by stakeholder groups. General Information Sources ▪ Year comparison: Respondents in the previous FY’18 Country Survey indicated that they got most of their information about economic and social development issues in Maldives from “social media” (54%) and the “Internet” (54%). 32 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives X. Communication and Outreach (continued) Preferred Information Sources ▪ Year comparison: Respondents in the previous FY’18 Country Survey indicated that they would prefer to receive information from the WBG through “social media” (41%) and “WBG’s publications and other written materials” (37%). 33 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives X. Communication and Outreach (continued) Internet connection16 Devices used to access WBG website WBG Interaction Frequency 16 Percentages in this chart were calculated based on weighted data. 34 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives X. Communication and Outreach (continued) Frequency of Specific WBG Interactions 35 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives XI. Appendices A. Responses to All Questions Across All Respondents ..................... 37 B. Responses to Selected Questions by Stakeholder Groups ............ 53 C. Responses to Selected Questions by Levels of Collaboration with the World Bank Group .......................................................... 66 D. Responses to Selected Questions by Year..................................... 75 E. Indicator Questions as a Function of Exposure to the WBG .......... 80 F. Maldives FY 2021 COS Questionnaire ........................................... 81 MALDIVES 36 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives Appendix A: Responses to All Questions across All Respondents (N=86) All rating scale questions are presented with the total number of respondents that provided a rating (N), the number of respondents who indicated that they “Don’t know” (DK), the mean rating across all respondents (Mean), and the standard deviation of this mean (SD). Indicator questions are noted with an asterisk (*). A. Overall Context Percentage of Respondents 1. Do you think that economic opportunity for citizens in Maldives is … ? (N=84) Increasing 56.0% Decreasing 15.5% Staying about the same 28.6% 2. Listed below are a number of development priorities in Maldives. Please identify which of the following you consider the most important development Percentage of Respondents priorities in Maldives. (Choose no more than THREE) (Responses Combined; N=86) Housing 51.2% Public sector governance/reform (i.e., government effectiveness, public financial 19.8% management, public expenditure, fiscal system reform) Education 17.4% Food security, safety and accessibility 16.3% Economic growth 16.3% Private sector development (including public-private partnerships) 15.1% Job creation/employment 15.1% Anti-corruption 14.0% Climate change (e.g., mitigation, adaptation) 12.8% Financial markets 11.6% Global pandemics (e.g., COVID-19) 10.5% Social protection (e.g., pensions, targeted social assistance) 10.5% Transport (e.g., roads, bridges, transportation) 9.3% Information and communications technology (including digital transformation) 9.3% Health 8.1% Equality of opportunity (i.e., social inclusion) 8.1% Crime and violence 7.0% Gender equity (closing the gap between women and men, and boys and girls) 5.8% Reduction of national debt 4.7% Disaster risk management 4.7% Energy 3.5% Water and sanitation 3.5% Natural resource management (renewables) 3.5% Judicial reform 3.5% Global/regional integration 2.3% Urban development 2.3% Pollution 1.2% Trade and exports 1.2% Poverty reduction 0.0% Fisheries 0.0% Agriculture 0.0% Non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes, cancer, etc.) 0.0% 37 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives A. Overall Context (continued) 3. Poverty reduction is a broad term that encompasses work in many different areas. Which THREE areas of development listed below do you believe would contribute most to reducing poverty in Maldives? (Choose no more than Percentage of Respondents THREE) (Responses Combined; N=85) Economic growth 34.1% Housing 31.8% Equality of opportunity (i.e., social inclusion) 29.4% Job creation/employment 29.4% Social protection (e.g., pensions, targeted social assistance) 23.5% Anti-corruption 18.8% Education 17.6% Public sector governance/reform (i.e., government effectiveness, public financial 12.9% management, public expenditure, fiscal system reform) Crime and violence 11.8% Agriculture 10.6% Judicial reform 9.4% Fisheries 9.4% Private sector development (including public-private partnerships) 8.2% Financial markets 5.9% Gender equity (closing the gap between women and men, and boys and girls) 5.9% Urban development 5.9% Food security, safety and accessibility 4.7% Trade and exports 3.5% Health 3.5% Disaster risk management 2.4% Information and communications technology (including digital transformation) 2.4% Climate change (e.g., mitigation, adaptation) 2.4% Reduction of national debt 2.4% Natural resource management (renewables) 2.4% Non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes, cancer, etc.) 1.2% Transport (e.g., roads, bridges, transportation) 1.2% Energy 1.2% Water and sanitation 1.2% Pollution 0.0% Global/regional integration 0.0% 38 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives A. Overall Context (continued) 4. The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed many aspects of Maldives’ growth and development. In which areas would you like to see the Maldivian government focus most of its efforts related to the impact of COVID-19 over the next six Percentage of Respondents months to a year? (Choose no more than THREE) (Responses Combined; N=80) Ensuring sustainable business growth and job creation 55.0% Poverty and inequality (e.g., strengthening the social safety net, social assistance) 41.3% Public service delivery (e.g., strengthening policies, institutions) 30.0% Fair and equal distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine if, and when, a safe one is 28.8% approved Healthcare 28.8% Housing 26.3% Providing direct financial support to businesses (business support packages) 25.0% Education 15.0% Providing direct non-financial (e.g., food, healthcare supplies, etc.) support to 13.8% citizens Nutrition/food security 8.8% Other 7.5% Ensuring that girls and women have equal access to health care/health services 6.3% Ensuring that girls and women have equal access to job opportunities 5.0% 5. When economic and/or social reform efforts fail or are slow to take place in Maldives, which of the following would you attribute this to? (Choose no more Percentage of Respondents than TWO) (Responses Combined; N=81) Corruption 48.1% Reforms are not well thought out in light of country challenges 33.3% Inadequate level of government accountability 30.9% Political pressures and obstacles 27.2% Inadequate level of capacity in the government 23.5% National debt 9.9% Inadequate level of citizen/civil society participation 7.4% Inadequate level of donor coordination 6.2% Inadequate level of private sector participation 6.2% Pressure from outside interest groups (e.g., private sector, unions) 2.5% Other 1.2% 39 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives A. Overall Context (continued) 6. To what extent do you trust each of the following groups to do what is right? Degree (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) N DK Mean SD 1. The national government 78 2 5.50 2.36 2. Bilateral organizations (e.g., DFID, JICA, GIZ, USAID) 67 12 6.55 1.97 3. The World Bank Group* 74 5 6.97 2.18 4. The International Monetary Fund 71 6 6.79 2.20 5. The United Nations (UN) 74 3 6.97 1.98 6. The World Health Organization (WHO) 74 4 7.24 1.94 7. Regional development banks 68 9 6.43 2.13 8. The Maldives Monetary Authority 73 5 5.86 2.33 9. International private sector 64 13 5.84 1.87 10. Domestic private sector 68 9 5.31 2.04 11. International civil society (e.g., Red Crescent, Commonwealth Foundation, 73 4 7.29 1.74 etc.) 12. Domestic civil society (e.g., Transparency Maldives, NGO Journey, etc.) 72 6 6.47 1.92 13. Youth organizations (e.g., Scout Association, Huvadhoo Aid, etc.) 67 10 6.27 2.07 14. Religious institutions 67 9 4.87 2.42 15. Domestic traditional media and their web presence (e.g., newspapers, TV 75 3 4.55 2.23 stations, radio) 16. International media and their web presence 73 4 5.34 1.93 17. Web based media (i.e., blogs, social media, other web-based news and 73 4 4.78 2.09 information sources) 40 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives B. Overall Attitudes toward the World Bank Group 1. How familiar are you with the work of these organizations in Maldives? Familiarity (1-Not familiar at all, 10-Extremely familiar) N DK Mean SD 1. The World Bank (IDA) 80 n/a 5.84 2.70 2. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group’s private 79 n/a 4.61 2.67 sector arm To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statements about the Level of Agreement World Bank Group’s work in Maldives? (1-Strongly disagree, 10-Strongly agree) N DK Mean SD 2. Overall, the World Bank Group currently plays a relevant role in development 77 3 6.70 2.20 in Maldives* 3. The World Bank Group’s work is aligned with what I consider the 73 6 6.41 2.40 development priorities for Maldives* 4. Overall, please rate your impression of the effectiveness of these Effectiveness organizations in Maldives. (1-Not effective at all, 10-Very effective) N DK Mean SD 1. The World Bank (IDA)* 69 10 6.48 2.15 2. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group’s private 56 22 6.18 2.28 sector arm* Achieving Development Results N DK Mean SD 5. To what extent does the World Bank Group’s work help to achieve development results in Maldives?* (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant 72 6 6.47 2.10 degree) Influencing the Development Agenda N DK Mean SD 6. To what extent does the World Bank Group influence the development 63 12 6.25 2.12 agenda in Maldives?* (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) 7. To what extent do you believe that the World Bank Group’s work and Percentage of Respondents support help the poorest in Maldives? (Select only ONE response) (N=77) To a fully sufficient degree 6.5% To a somewhat sufficient degree 42.9% To a somewhat insufficient degree 18.2% To a very insufficient degree 15.6% Don’t know 16.9% 41 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives B. Overall Attitudes toward the World Bank Group (continued) 8. When thinking about the World Bank Group’s role in Maldives, which activity Percentage of Respondents do you VALUE the most? (Choose no more than TWO) (Responses Combined; N=78) Financial resources 44.9% Formal policy advice, studies, analyses 33.3% Technical assistance 33.3% Capacity development related to World Bank Group supported projects 21.8% Data and statistics 15.4% Global advocacy 14.1% Implementation support 10.3% Bringing together different groups of stakeholders 3.8% Mobilizing third party financial resources 3.8% Donor coordination 3.8% Promoting knowledge sharing 2.6% Informal advice that World Bank Group’s staff provides (e.g., memos, short 1.3% evidence notes, informal discussions and emails) Other 1.3% 9. Which of the following do you identify as the World Bank Group’s greatest Percentage of Respondents WEAKNESSES in its work in Maldives? (Choose no more than TWO) (Responses Combined; N=78) Not collaborating enough with private sector 30.8% Not collaborating enough with partners such as bilaterals, multilaterals, trust 14.1% funds, UN Not collaborating enough with civil society (e.g., NGOs, CBOs) 12.8% Inadequate World Bank Group’s staffing in Maldives 12.8% Not adequately sensitive to political/social realities in Maldives 11.5% Too influenced by developed countries 11.5% Don’t know 11.5% Not enough public disclosure of its work 10.3% Not willing to honestly criticize policies and reform efforts in the country 10.3% Not aligned with country priorities 9.0% Not sufficiently focused on sustainable results 9.0% World Bank Group’s processes too slow and complex 7.7% Other 7.7% Inadequate level of real-time advice and guidance 6.4% Not adequately flexible in changing country circumstances 5.1% Inadequate number of innovative knowledge products and services 3.8% Inadequate number of innovative financial products and services 3.8% Staff too inaccessible 1.3% Arrogant in its approach 0.0% 42 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives B. Overall Attitudes toward the World Bank Group (continued) 10. When thinking about how the World Bank Group can have the most impact on development results in Maldives, which sectors do you believe the World Bank Group should prioritize with its resources (financial and knowledge Percentage of Respondents services) in Maldives? (Choose no more than THREE) (Responses Combined; N=78) Job creation/employment 39.7% Housing 33.3% Public sector governance/reform (i.e., government effectiveness, public financial 29.5% management, public expenditure, fiscal system reform) Private sector development (including public-private partnerships) 23.1% Urban development 16.7% Economic growth 16.7% Reduction of national debt 15.4% Climate change (e.g., mitigation, adaptation) 12.8% Health 11.5% Education 11.5% Anti-corruption 10.3% Financial markets 9.0% Equality of opportunity (i.e., social inclusion) 9.0% Social protection (e.g., pensions, targeted social assistance) 7.7% Information and communications technology (including digital transformation) 6.4% Poverty reduction 6.4% Food security, safety and accessibility 5.1% Disaster risk management 3.8% Transport (e.g., roads, bridges, transportation) 2.6% Global/regional integration 2.6% Energy 2.6% Natural resource management (renewables) 2.6% Fisheries 2.6% Pollution 1.3% Global pandemics (e.g., COVID-19) 1.3% Agriculture 1.3% Crime and violence 1.3% Judicial reform 1.3% Water and sanitation 0.0% Non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes, cancer, etc.) 0.0% Gender equity (closing the gap between women and men, and boys and girls) 0.0% Trade and exports 0.0% 43 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives B. Overall Attitudes toward the World Bank Group (continued) 11. The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed many aspects of Maldives’ growth and development. Which areas do you identify as most important for the World Bank Group to focus its efforts and support related to the impact of COVID-19 Percentage of Respondents in Maldives over the next six months to a year? (Choose no more than THREE) (Responses Combined; N=79) Ensuring sustainable business growth and job creation 41.8% Providing direct financial support to businesses (business support packages) 40.5% Economic growth 29.1% Housing 27.8% Public service delivery (e.g., strengthening policies, institutions) 24.1% Poverty and inequality (e.g., strengthening the social safety net, social assistance) 22.8% Digital transformation 21.5% Healthcare 19.0% Fair and equal distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine if, and when, a safe one is 11.4% approved Supporting efforts that can help counter misinformation about vaccines 10.1% Providing direct non-financial (e.g., food, healthcare supplies, etc.) support to 8.9% citizens Ensuring that girls and women have equal access to health care/health services 7.6% Education 7.6% Nutrition/food security 7.6% Other 5.1% Ensuring that girls and women have equal access to job opportunities 2.5% 12. What do you immediately think of when you hear about the IFC? (Choose Percentage of Respondents no more than THREE) (Responses Combined; N=78) Development institution 38.5% Multi-lateral financial institution 32.1% World Bank 30.8% Investment Bank 29.5% Financial Advisory Solutions 20.5% Private Sector Solutions 16.7% Public-private partnerships 7.7% Do not have enough information to say 7.7% Asset Manager 3.8% Venture Capital 2.6% Innovation and Entrepreneurship 2.6% None of these 1.3% Impact Investor 0.0% C. World Bank Group’s Work and Engagement on the Ground Staff Preparedness N DK Mean SD 1. To what extent do you believe the World Bank Group’s staff is well prepared (e.g., skills mix and knowledge) to help Maldives solve its most complicated 60 19 6.13 2.08 development challenges? (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) Staffing adequacy N DK Mean SD 2. To what extent do you believe the World Bank Group is adequately staffed in 55 23 4.64 2.25 Maldives? (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) 44 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives C. World Bank Group’s Work and Engagement on the Ground (continued) To what extent is the World Bank Group an effective development partner in Degree Maldives, in terms of each of the following? (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) N DK Mean SD 3. Responsiveness to needs* 63 12 6.27 2.14 4. Flexibility (in terms of the institution’s products and services) * 55 19 6.07 2.04 5. Flexibility (in terms of changing country circumstances) * 54 18 6.07 2.22 6. Being inclusive* 60 13 6.58 2.09 7. Openness (sharing data and other information) * 62 12 6.77 2.13 8. Collaboration with the Government* 63 11 7.38 1.72 9. The speed in which it gets things accomplished on the ground* 56 17 5.59 2.10 10. Helping to bring discipline/effective supervision to implementation of 61 12 5.92 2.43 investment projects* 11. Collaboration with civil society* 56 17 5.39 2.15 12. Staff accessibility* 51 22 5.86 2.51 13. Collaboration with other donors and development partners* 59 14 6.24 2.13 14. Collaboration with the private sector* 56 17 5.23 2.27 15. Straightforwardness and honesty* 56 17 6.59 2.16 16. Treating clients and stakeholders in Maldives with respect* 60 13 7.40 2.09 17. Being a long-term partner* 67 6 7.67 2.13 To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statements? Level of Agreement (1-Strongly disagree, 10-Strongly agree) N DK Mean SD 18. The World Bank Group disburses funds promptly 52 23 6.92 2.16 19. The World Bank Group effectively monitors and evaluates the projects and 62 12 6.27 2.46 programs it supports 20. The World Bank Group’s approvals and reviews are done in a timely fashion 54 20 6.41 2.11 21. The World Bank Group’s Environmental and Social Framework requirements 53 21 6.53 1.88 are reasonable 22. The World Bank Group’s conditions on its lending are reasonable 51 23 6.75 1.93 23. The World Bank Group takes decisions quickly in Maldives* 50 24 6.56 2.11 24. Working with the World Bank Group increases Maldives’ institutional 60 13 7.25 2.21 capacity To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statements about the World Bank Group in Maldives? (1-Strongly disagree, 10-Strongly agree) N DK Mean SD 25. The World Bank Group’s financial instruments (i.e., investment lending, 60 14 6.13 2.26 Development Policy Loan, Trust Funds, etc.) meet the needs of Maldives* 26. The World Bank Group meets Maldives’ needs for knowledge services (e.g., 63 10 6.43 2.17 research, analysis, data, technical assistance) * COVID-19 “Approach Paper” N DK Mean SD 27. The World Bank Group has provided real time advice and guidance to the government and policy makers, built on its COVID-19 “Approach Paper” published soon after the outbreak. Please rate the usefulness of this more 46 29 7.26 1.91 informal advice and guidance (e.g., informal discussions, memos, informal working papers) to the Maldives government’s efforts to support citizens throughout this crisis? (1-Not useful at all, 10-Very useful) 45 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives C. World Bank Group’s Work and Engagement on the Ground (continued) Global role of advocacy N DK Mean SD 28. How important is it for the World Bank Group to focus resources on its global advocacy role, to help promote policies related to its work in areas 68 6 8.46 1.84 including climate, health, gender, and debt?* (1-Not important at all, 10-Very important) How effectively does the World Bank Group support Maldives’ efforts … ? Effectiveness (1-Not effectively at all, 10-Very effectively) N DK Mean SD 29. To build stronger domestic resource mobilization systems in the Government 52 22 6.25 1.87 (e.g., tax collection) 30. To develop better and stronger data collection/analytics systems within the 55 18 6.45 1.92 Government 31. To strengthen the country’s crisis preparedness 58 15 6.71 2.07 D. World Bank Group’s Support in Development Areas 1. How EFFECTIVE do you believe the World Bank Group is in terms of the work Effectiveness it does in the following areas of development in Maldives? (1-Not effective at all, 10-Very effective) N DK Mean SD 1. Social protection (e.g., pensions, targeted social assistance) 32 37 6.50 2.21 2. Gender equity (closing the gap between women and men, and boys and girls) 30 36 6.23 2.21 3. Private sector development (including public-private partnerships) 35 32 5.89 2.34 4. Education 34 31 6.79 2.20 5. Public sector governance/reform (i.e., government effectiveness, public 45 23 6.53 2.14 financial management, public expenditure, fiscal system reform) 6. Food security, safety and accessibility 27 40 6.19 2.27 7. Housing 27 40 4.56 2.38 8. Energy 33 34 6.30 2.72 9. Water and sanitation 28 39 5.93 2.57 10. Job creation/employment 33 34 5.61 2.59 11. Health 30 37 6.00 2.46 12. Financial markets 27 40 5.33 2.50 13. Transport (e.g., roads, bridges, transportation) 22 45 4.95 2.90 14. Agriculture 25 41 5.72 2.48 15. Fisheries 29 38 6.38 2.34 16. Natural resource management (renewables) 29 37 5.66 2.92 17. Climate change (e.g., mitigation, adaptation) 33 34 6.39 2.50 18. Poverty reduction 34 33 5.88 2.59 19. Economic growth 37 28 6.51 1.89 20. Disaster risk management 29 35 6.24 2.23 21. Equality of opportunity (i.e., social inclusion) 30 35 5.40 2.55 22. Non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes, cancer, etc.) 22 43 5.32 2.66 23. Information and communications technology (including digital 28 38 5.61 2.47 transformation) 24. Global pandemics (e.g., COVID-19) 42 24 7.69 1.88 46 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives D. World Bank Group’s Support in Development Areas (continued) 2. The World Bank Group has provided fast track support to Maldives Effectiveness related to the outbreak of COVID-19 since early 2020. Please rate the World Bank Group’s effectiveness when considering this fast track support, if and as it applies to your country, in the following areas: (1-Not effective at all, 10-Very effective) N NA DK Mean SD 1. Supporting health interventions for saving lives 38 2 28 7.34 1.91 2. Education (e.g., transitioning to remote learning, ensuring access, etc.) 36 1 30 6.89 2.24 3. Protecting poor people (social assistance/ social safety nets) 34 0 34 6.56 2.32 4. Ensuring sustainable business growth and job creation 38 1 29 6.47 2.17 5. Strengthening policies, institutions and investments for rebuilding 37 0 31 6.41 2.25 better 6. Macroeconomic stability and transparent debt management 38 0 29 6.76 2.11 E. World Bank Group’s Knowledge Work and Activities 1. How frequently do you consult World Bank Group’s knowledge work and Percentage of Respondents activities in the work you do? (N=69) Weekly 7.2% Monthly 11.6% A few times a year 36.2% Rarely 30.4% Never 14.5% In Maldives, to what extent do you believe that the World Bank Group’s Degree knowledge work and activities: (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) N DK Mean SD 2. Are timely 51 14 7.06 1.87 3. Include appropriate level of stakeholder involvement during preparation 52 13 6.42 2.03 4. Lead to practical solutions 52 13 6.65 2.01 5. Are source of relevant information on global good practices 53 11 7.42 1.93 6. Are adequately disseminated 52 13 6.44 1.96 7. Are translated enough into local language 48 17 5.02 2.44 8. Are adaptable to Maldives’ specific development challenges and country 52 13 6.37 2.02 circumstances* Overall Evaluations N DK Mean SD 9. Overall, how significant a contribution do you believe the World Bank Group's knowledge work and activities make to development results in your 57 8 7.30 1.86 country?* (1-Not significant at all, 10-Very significant) 10. Overall, how would you rate the technical quality of the World Bank Group's knowledge work and activities?* (1-Very low technical quality, 10-Very high 59 6 7.59 1.95 technical quality) 47 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives F. The Future Role of the World Bank Group in Maldives 1. Which of the following SHOULD the World Bank Group do to make itself of Percentage of Respondents greater value in Maldives? (Choose no more than TWO) (Responses Combined; N=67) Increase the level of capacity development in the country 25.4% Help to bring discipline/effective supervision to implementation of World Bank 23.9% Group projects Help leverage additional donor or private sector finance 17.9% Engage more effectively with civil society (e.g., NGOs, CBOs) 17.9% Engage more effectively with private sector 16.4% Offer more innovative financial products and services 14.9% Ensure greater selectivity in its work 13.4% Engage more directly with beneficiaries 10.4% Reduce the complexity of obtaining World Bank Group financing 10.4% Offer more real-time advice and guidance 9.0% Engage more effectively with partners such as bilaterals, multilaterals, trust 9.0% funds, UN Provide more adequate data/knowledge/statistics/figures on Maldives’ economy 7.5% Improve the quality of its experts as related to Maldives’ specific challenges 7.5% Offer more innovative knowledge products and services 6.0% Collaborate more effectively with Government clients (e.g., national, state, local) 6.0% Other 3.0% Work faster 1.5% 2. In addition to the regular relations with the national government, which TWO of the following groups should the World Bank Group collaborate with Percentage of Respondents more in your country? (Choose no more than TWO) (Responses Combined; N=69) NGOs/Community Based Organizations 39.1% Academia/think tanks/research institutes 34.8% Private sector 30.4% Local government 30.4% Beneficiaries 20.3% Donor community 17.4% Youth/university groups 13.0% Parliament 7.2% Foundations 2.9% Other 1.4% Media 0.0% Don’t know 0.0% 48 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives G. Communication and Information Sharing 1. How frequently do you interact with the World Bank Group now in Percentage of Respondents Maldives? (Select only ONE response) (N=68) Never 25.0% Less than once a year 22.1% Once a year to a few times a year 30.9% Less than once a month 5.9% At least once a month 5.9% At least once a week 10.3% 2. How do you get most of your information about economic and social Percentage of Respondents development issues in Maldives? (Choose no more than TWO) (Responses Combined; N=66) Social media (e.g., blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr) 59.1% Local newspapers 54.5% Local television 22.7% International newspapers 15.2% Periodicals 12.1% Other 10.6% Local radio 3.0% International radio 1.5% International television 0.0% 3. How would you prefer to receive information from the World Bank Group? Percentage of Respondents (Choose no more than THREE) (Responses Combined; N=69) Social media (e.g., blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr) 59.4% World Bank Group’s publications and other written materials 39.1% e-Newsletters 34.8% World Bank Group’s website 31.9% World Bank Group’s seminars/workshops/conferences 27.5% Interviews and press conferences for the Maldives’ media 23.2% Webinars or online events hosted by the World Bank Group 20.3% Direct contact with World Bank Group (i.e., face to face meetings/discussions) 18.8% 4. Which Internet connection do you use primarily when visiting a World Bank Percentage of Respondents Group website? (N=66) High speed/WiFi 93.9% Dial-up 6.1% Percentage of Respondents 5. What do you use primarily when visiting a World Bank Group website? (N=68) Computer/laptop 66.2% Phone 20.6% I never visit the WBG websites 11.8% Tablet 1.5% 49 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives G. Communication and Information Sharing (continued) 6. Over the past SIX MONTHS, on average how Percentage of Respondents often did you do any of the following related to the Every few Every few Every few World Bank Group (WBG)? N days weeks months Not at all Read, viewed or heard a story about the WBG in 65 1.5% 23.1% 47.7% 27.7% local media (newspaper, magazine, TV, radio) Read, viewed or heard a story about the WBG in 64 3.1% 23.4% 48.4% 25.0% global media (newspaper, magazine, TV, radio) Interacted with the WBG on Social Media (e.g., read a post or tweet, liked, commented, shared, 64 4.7% 20.3% 26.6% 48.4% retweeted) Visited a WBG website (e.g., read a blog, used data) 64 6.3% 17.2% 43.8% 32.8% Attended an event/conference hosted by the WBG 64 0.0% 4.7% 23.4% 71.9% Watched a webinar or online event hosted by the 64 0.0% 4.7% 26.6% 68.8% WBG Read some or all of a WBG research paper or 64 1.6% 9.4% 51.6% 37.5% publication Met professionally with WBG staff 64 4.7% 9.4% 32.8% 53.1% Read a WBG e-newsletter 64 0.0% 4.7% 28.1% 67.2% H. Background Information 1. Which of the following best describes your current affiliation? (Select only Percentage of Respondents ONE response) (N=86) Employee of Ministry, Ministerial Department, Implementation Agency 26.7% Private Sector Organization 15.1% Local Government Authority or Staff 9.3% Multilateral Agency (UN, regional development bank) 9.3% NGO/Community Based Organization 9.3% Independent Government Institution (i.e., regulatory agency, central 8.1% bank/oversight institution) Academia/Research Institute/Think Tank 7.0% Project Management Unit (PMU) overseeing implementation of WBG 4.7% project/Consultant/Contractor working on WBG supported project/program State-Owned Enterprise 4.7% Financial Sector/Private Bank 2.3% Office of the President 1.2% Media (press, radio, TV, web, etc.) 1.2% Other 1.2% Parliament 0.0% Judicial System (e.g., courts) 0.0% Private Foundation (e.g., Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller 0.0% Foundation) Trade Union 0.0% Religious Group 0.0% Youth Group 0.0% 50 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives H. Background Information (continued) 2. Please identify the primary specialization of your work. (Select only ONE Percentage of Respondents response) (N=86) Education 12.8% Governance, anti-corruption 11.6% Finance and markets 9.3% Environment, natural resources 8.1% Macroeconomics, fiscal management 7.0% Trade and competitiveness 5.8% Generalist (specialized in multiple sectors) 5.8% Climate change 4.7% Urban development 4.7% Digital development and technology (ICT) 4.7% Health, nutrition 3.5% Energy 3.5% Other 3.5% Social protection 2.3% Water, sanitation 2.3% Tourism 2.3% Communications, public affairs 2.3% Jobs 1.2% Gender 1.2% Transport 1.2% Fragility, conflict, violence, refugees 1.2% Demographics, migration 1.2% Poverty 0.0% Agriculture, rural development 0.0% 3. Currently, do you professionally collaborate/work with the World Bank Percentage of Respondents Group (IDA, IFC, MIGA, ICSID) in your country? (N=85) Yes 35.3% No 64.7% 4. If yes, which of the following agencies of the World Bank Group do you Percentage of Respondents primarily collaborate/work with in Maldives? (Select only ONE response) (N=30) The World Bank (IDA) 96.7% The International Finance Corporation (IFC) 3.3% Percentage of Respondents 5. Do your projects involve both the World Bank and the IFC? (N=30) Yes 33.3% No 66.7% 51 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives H. Background Information (continued) 6. Which of the following describes most of your exposure to the World Bank Percentage of Respondents Group in Maldives? (Choose no more than TWO) (Responses Combined; N=81) Collaborate as part of my professional duties 48.1% Use World Bank Group reports/data 33.3% Use World Bank Group website for information, data, research, etc. 32.1% Observer (i.e., follow in media, discuss in informal conversations, etc.) 27.2% Engage in World Bank Group related/sponsored events/activities 13.6% Percentage of Respondents 7. What’s your gender? (N=84) Female 52.4% Male 47.6% Percentage of Respondents 8. What’s your age? (N=86) 25 and under 4.7% 26-35 46.5% 36-45 29.1% 46-55 18.6% 56 and above 1.2% Percentage of Respondents 9. Which best represents your geographic location? (N=84) Greater Male’ Region (Male’ Hulhumale’ Villingili) 94.0% Other 6.0% Addu City 0.0% Fuvahmulah City 0.0% Kulhudhuffushi City 0.0% 52 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives Appendix B: Responses to Selected Questions by Stakeholder Groups  Employee of a Ministry/PMU/Consultant on WBG Project N=27  Local Government N=8  Independent Government Institution N=7  Bilateral/Multilateral Agency N=8  Private Sector/Financial Sector/Private Bank N=15  NGO/Community Based Organization (NGO) N=8  Academia/Research Institute/Think Tank (Academia) N=6  Other17 N=7 A. Overall Context Do you think that economic opportunity for citizens in Maldives is … ? Employee of a Ministry/ Independent Private Sector/ PMU/Consultant on Local Government Bilateral/ Financial Sector/ Percentage of Respondents WBG Project Government Institution Multilateral Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other The right direction 66.7% 71.4% 33.3% 37.5% 53.3% 50.0% 50.0% 57.1% The wrong direction 7.4% 14.3% 0.0% 37.5% 40.0% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% Not sure 25.9% 14.3% 66.7% 25.0% 6.7% 37.5% 50.0% 42.9% 17 Includes the following categories: office of the President (N=1), State-Owned Enterprise (N=4), media (N=1), and Other (N=1). 53 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives A. Overall Context (continued) Listed below are a number of development priorities in Maldives. Please identify which of the following you consider the most important development priorities in Maldives. (Choose no more than THREE) Employee of a Ministry/ Independent Private Sector/ Percentage of Respondents PMU/Consultant on Local Government Bilateral/ Financial Sector/ (Responses combined) WBG Project Government Institution Multilateral Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other Global/regional integration 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 12.5% 6.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Food security, safety and 11.1% 25.0% 28.6% 25.0% 20.0% 12.5% 16.7% 0.0% accessibility Financial markets 11.1% 0.0% 28.6% 12.5% 6.7% 0.0% 33.3% 14.3% Global pandemics 22.2% 25.0% 0.0% 0.0% 6.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Housing 48.1% 50.0% 42.9% 12.5% 80.0% 50.0% 33.3% 71.4% Social protection 7.4% 25.0% 14.3% 0.0% 20.0% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% Transport 7.4% 12.5% 0.0% 12.5% 13.3% 0.0% 16.7% 14.3% Private sector development 11.1% 12.5% 14.3% 37.5% 20.0% 12.5% 16.7% 0.0% Education 22.2% 25.0% 14.3% 12.5% 26.7% 0.0% 16.7% 0.0% Public sector governance/ 18.5% 0.0% 28.6% 25.0% 6.7% 62.5% 16.7% 14.3% reform Urban development 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% 14.3% Energy 3.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 6.7% 0.0% 0.0% 14.3% Water and sanitation 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% 16.7% 14.3% Pollution 3.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Job creation/employment* 18.5% 12.5% 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% 50.0% 42.9% Health 11.1% 12.5% 28.6% 0.0% 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% Climate change 11.1% 12.5% 28.6% 37.5% 6.7% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% Poverty reduction 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Reduction of national debt 11.1% 0.0% 14.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Natural resource 3.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 13.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% management Fisheries 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Gender equity 3.7% 12.5% 0.0% 25.0% 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% Agriculture 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Non-communicable diseases 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Crime and violence 3.7% 0.0% 14.3% 12.5% 6.7% 0.0% 16.7% 14.3% Information and 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 13.3% 50.0% 16.7% 14.3% communications technology* Anti-corruption 22.2% 12.5% 14.3% 0.0% 6.7% 25.0% 16.7% 0.0% Judicial reform 3.7% 0.0% 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% 16.7% 0.0% Economic growth 18.5% 37.5% 0.0% 0.0% 26.7% 0.0% 16.7% 14.3% Disaster risk management 3.7% 0.0% 14.3% 12.5% 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% Equality of opportunity 7.4% 12.5% 0.0% 25.0% 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% 14.3% Trade and exports 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 14.3% *Significantly different between stakeholder groups 54 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives A. Overall Context (continued) When economic and/or social reform efforts fail or are slow to take place in Maldives, which of the following would you attribute this to? (Choose no more than TWO) Employee of a Ministry/ Independent Private Sector/ Percentage of Respondents PMU/Consultant on Local Government Bilateral/ Financial Sector/ (Responses combined) WBG Project Government Institution Multilateral Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other Inadequate level of donor 7.7% 14.3% 0.0% 12.5% 6.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% coordination Reforms are not well thought out in light of 53.8% 28.6% 33.3% 12.5% 13.3% 25.0% 20.0% 50.0% country challenges National debt 7.7% 14.3% 16.7% 12.5% 6.7% 0.0% 40.0% 0.0% Inadequate level of 38.5% 14.3% 16.7% 25.0% 33.3% 50.0% 40.0% 0.0% government accountability Inadequate level of capacity 26.9% 28.6% 33.3% 50.0% 20.0% 0.0% 0.0% 16.7% in the government Corruption 26.9% 42.9% 50.0% 50.0% 53.3% 75.0% 80.0% 66.7% Pressure from outside interest groups (e.g., 3.8% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 20.0% 0.0% private sector, unions) Political pressures and 15.4% 57.1% 50.0% 25.0% 33.3% 25.0% 0.0% 33.3% obstacles Inadequate level of private 7.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 13.3% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% sector participation Inadequate level of citizen/civil society 3.8% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 13.3% 12.5% 0.0% 33.3% participation Other 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Employee of a Indipendent Bilateral/ Private Sector/ Ministry/PMU/Consultant Local Government Multilateral Financial Sector/ on WBG Project Government Institution Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean To what extent do you trust the World Bank Group to do what is 23 7.22 6 9.00 6 8.17 8 5.88 14 6.00 6 7.00 5 6.40 6 7.00 right? (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) 55 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives B. Overall Attitudes Toward the World Bank Group How familiar are you with the work of these organizations in Maldives? Employee of a Indipendent Bilateral/ Private Sector/ Ministry/PMU/Consultant Local Government Multilateral Financial Sector/ on WBG Project Government Institution Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean The World Bank (IDA) 25 7.20 7 5.29 6 5.33 8 5.25 15 4.53 8 5.50 5 5.80 6 5.83 IFC, the World Bank Group’s 25 5.20 6 4.33 6 4.17 8 3.63 15 4.47 8 4.25 5 5.60 6 4.17 private sector arm (1-Not familiar at all, 10-Extremely familiar) To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statements about the World Bank Group’s work in Maldives? (1-Strongly disagree, 10-Strongly agree) Employee of a Indipendent Bilateral/ Private Sector/ Ministry/PMU/Consultant Local Government Multilateral Financial Sector/ on WBG Project Government Institution Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean Overall the World Bank Group currently plays a relevant role in 24 6.96 6 8.00 6 7.00 8 6.00 15 6.13 7 6.00 5 6.40 6 7.50 development in Maldives The World Bank Group’s work is aligned with what I consider the 24 6.79 5 7.20 5 6.80 8 6.38 14 5.29 6 5.83 5 6.80 6 6.83 development priorities for Maldives Overall, please rate your impression of the effectiveness of these organizations in Maldives. Employee of a Indipendent Bilateral/ Private Sector/ Ministry/PMU/Consultant Local Government Multilateral Financial Sector/ on WBG Project Government Institution Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean The World Bank (IDA) 22 6.91 6 7.33 5 8.20 6 5.67 13 5.31 6 6.50 5 6.60 6 5.83 IFC, the World Bank Group’s 18 6.17 5 7.00 3 8.67 3 6.00 13 5.31 3 7.33 5 6.60 6 5.33 private sector arm (1-Not effective at all, 10-Very effective) 56 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives B. Overall Attitudes Toward the World Bank Group (continued) Employee of a Indipendent Bilateral/ Private Sector/ Ministry/PMU/Consultant Local Government Multilateral Financial Sector/ on WBG Project Government Institution Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean To what extent does the World Bank Group’s work help to 24 6.75 5 7.60 5 7.40 6 5.50 15 5.53 6 6.67 5 6.80 6 6.50 achieve development results in Maldives? (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) Employee of a Indipendent Bilateral/ Private Sector/ Ministry/PMU/Consultant Local Government Multilateral Financial Sector/ on WBG Project Government Institution Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean To what extent does the World Bank Group influence the 22 7.09 4 7.25 4 6.75 7 5.14 9 5.33 7 6.14 4 6.25 6 5.00 development agenda in Maldives? (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) 57 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives B. Overall Attitudes Toward the World Bank Group (continued) When thinking about how the World Bank Group can have the most impact on development results in Maldives, which sectors do you believe the World Bank Group should prioritize with its resources (financial and knowledge services) in Maldives? (Choose no more than THREE) Employee of a Ministry/ Independent Private Sector/ Percentage of Respondents PMU/Consultant on Local Government Bilateral/ Financial Sector/ (Responses combined) WBG Project Government Institution Multilateral Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other Pollution 0.0% 14.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Job creation/employment* 45.8% 85.7% 40.0% 0.0% 20.0% 37.5% 40.0% 66.7% Health 8.3% 42.9% 20.0% 0.0% 6.7% 0.0% 20.0% 16.7% Urban development 12.5% 28.6% 20.0% 0.0% 26.7% 12.5% 0.0% 33.3% Private sector development 16.7% 14.3% 20.0% 25.0% 33.3% 37.5% 20.0% 16.7% Public sector 37.5% 14.3% 20.0% 25.0% 20.0% 25.0% 40.0% 50.0% governance/reform Global pandemics (e.g., 4.2% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% COVID-19) Housing 37.5% 28.6% 40.0% 0.0% 46.7% 37.5% 20.0% 33.3% Social protection 4.2% 14.3% 0.0% 25.0% 13.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Transport 4.2% 14.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Financial markets 8.3% 0.0% 20.0% 12.5% 6.7% 12.5% 0.0% 16.7% Education 16.7% 14.3% 0.0% 0.0% 20.0% 0.0% 20.0% 0.0% Global/regional integration 4.2% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% Food security, safety and 4.2% 0.0% 20.0% 12.5% 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% accessibility Energy 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 12.5% 6.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Water and sanitation 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Disaster risk management 4.2% 0.0% 20.0% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Equality of opportunity 4.2% 14.3% 0.0% 12.5% 13.3% 12.5% 20.0% 0.0% Natural resource 4.2% 0.0% 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% management Reduction of national debt 12.5% 0.0% 20.0% 50.0% 13.3% 12.5% 20.0% 0.0% Information and 0.0% 0.0% 20.0% 0.0% 13.3% 25.0% 0.0% 0.0% communications technology Non-communicable diseases 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Anti-corruption 16.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 6.7% 12.5% 20.0% 16.7% Fisheries 4.2% 0.0% 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Gender equity 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Agriculture 4.2% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Trade and exports 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Crime and violence* 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 20.0% 0.0% Climate change* 0.0% 0.0% 20.0% 62.5% 13.3% 25.0% 0.0% 0.0% Poverty reduction 8.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 6.7% 0.0% 20.0% 16.7% Judicial reform 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Economic growth 25.0% 0.0% 20.0% 0.0% 13.3% 12.5% 20.0% 33.3% *Significantly different between stakeholder groups 58 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives C. World Bank Group’s Work and Engagement on the Ground To what extent is the World Bank Group an effective development partner in Maldives, in terms of each of the following? (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) Employee of a Indipendent Bilateral/ Private Sector/ Ministry/PMU/Consultant Local Government Multilateral Financial Sector/ on WBG Project Government Institution Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean Responsiveness to needs 22 6.41 5 8.00 5 7.40 7 5.86 7 5.00 6 5.67 3 7.00 6 5.83 Flexibility (in terms of the institution’s products and 22 6.09 4 8.00 5 7.20 3 5.33 8 5.00 5 5.40 2 6.50 6 6.00 services) Flexibility (in terms of changing 22 6.00 4 8.25 5 7.60 2 5.00 9 4.89 5 5.80 2 6.50 5 5.80 country circumstances) Being inclusive 21 6.90 5 8.20 5 7.60 5 6.20 10 5.30 5 5.80 3 7.33 6 6.00 Openness (sharing data and 22 6.86 4 8.00 5 8.20 6 5.50 11 6.27 5 6.20 3 7.67 6 6.67 other information) Collaboration with the 22 7.45 5 8.40 5 8.40 6 7.50 11 6.36 5 7.00 3 8.00 6 7.17 Government The speed in which it gets things 21 5.95 4 7.00 4 7.25 5 4.80 9 5.00 5 4.60 2 7.00 6 4.17 accomplished on the ground Helping to bring discipline/effective supervision 22 6.41 4 6.00 5 7.60 4 4.00 12 5.67 5 5.40 3 7.33 6 4.17 to implementation of investment projects Collaboration with civil society 21 5.95 4 6.25 3 5.67 4 4.25 9 5.78 6 3.50 3 6.00 6 4.50 Staff accessibility 20 6.15 4 6.00 4 7.00 3 4.67 8 6.00 4 5.25 2 6.50 6 4.67 Collaboration with other donors 22 6.45 4 6.75 5 7.00 7 5.43 10 5.70 3 7.33 3 7.00 5 5.20 and development partners Collaboration with the private 20 5.30 4 6.50 5 6.80 3 4.00 13 4.62 4 4.50 2 7.00 5 4.60 sector Straightforwardness and 22 6.73 4 7.50 5 7.60 4 5.00 10 6.10 2 6.50 3 7.33 6 6.17 honesty Treating clients and stakeholders in Maldives with 22 7.55 5 8.40 5 8.80 5 6.00 11 6.73 3 7.67 3 8.33 6 6.67 respect Being a long-term partner 22 7.73 5 8.40 5 8.40 7 6.29 13 7.08 6 8.00 3 9.00 6 8.17 59 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives C. World Bank Group’s Work and Engagement on the Ground (continued) To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statement? (1- Strongly disagree, 10- Strongly agree) Employee of a Indipendent Bilateral/ Private Sector/ Ministry/PMU/Consultant Local Government Multilateral Financial Sector/ on WBG Project Government Institution Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean The World Bank Group takes 21 6.67 5 8.00 3 8.00 3 4.33 7 5.43 3 6.33 2 7.50 6 6.50 decisions quickly in Maldives To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statements about the World Bank Group in Maldives? (1- Strongly disagree, 10- Strongly agree) Employee of a Indipendent Bilateral/ Private Sector/ Ministry/PMU/Consultant Local Government Multilateral Financial Sector/ on WBG Project Government Institution Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean The World Bank Group’s financial instruments meet the 22 6.18 5 7.20 5 8.00 5 5.20 10 4.70 5 4.80 3 7.00 5 7.60 needs of Maldives* The World Bank Group meets Maldives’s needs for knowledge 23 6.30 5 7.60 5 8.20 6 5.50 10 5.30 6 5.67 3 8.00 5 7.40 services *Significantly different between stakeholder groups Employee of a Indipendent Bilateral/ Private Sector/ Ministry/PMU/Consultant Local Government Multilateral Financial Sector/ on WBG Project Government Institution Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean How important is it for the World Bank Group to focus resources on its global advocacy role, to help promote policies 22 8.00 5 8.80 5 8.80 8 8.63 12 8.08 7 9.29 3 9.00 6 8.83 related to its work in areas including climate, health, gender, and debt? (1- Not important at all, 10- Very important) 60 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives E. World Bank Group’s Knowledge Work and Activities How frequently do you consult World Bank Group’s knowledge work and activities in the work you do?* Employee of a Ministry/ Independent Private Sector/ PMU/Consultant on Local Government Bilateral/ Financial Sector/ Percentage of Respondents WBG Project Government Institution Multilateral Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other Weekly 17.4% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 16.7% 0.0% 0.0% Monthly 21.7% 0.0% 25.0% 12.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 16.7% A few times a year 30.4% 33.3% 25.0% 87.5% 18.2% 0.0% 60.0% 50.0% Rarely 30.4% 33.3% 25.0% 0.0% 63.6% 33.3% 0.0% 33.3% Never 0.0% 33.3% 25.0% 0.0% 18.2% 50.0% 40.0% 0.0% *Significantly different between stakeholder groups In Maldives, to what extent do you believe that the World Bank Group’s knowledge work and activities: Employee of a Indipendent Bilateral/ Private Sector/ Ministry/PMU/Consultant Local Government Multilateral Financial Sector/ on WBG Project Government Institution Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean are adaptable to Maldives’s specific development 20 6.60 4 6.50 2 7.50 6 6.33 7 5.43 4 6.00 3 7.33 6 6.00 challenges and country circumstances (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) Employee of a Indipendent Bilateral/ Private Sector/ Ministry/PMU/Consultant Local Government Multilateral Financial Sector/ on WBG Project Government Institution Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean N Mean Overall, how significant a contribution do you believe the World Bank Group's 21 7.33 6 7.83 3 7.33 7 7.57 7 5.71 5 7.40 3 8.33 5 7.60 knowledge work and activities make to development results in your country? Overall, how would you rate the technical quality of the World 21 7.33 5 8.20 3 7.67 7 7.71 9 7.00 6 8.50 3 8.00 5 7.60 Bank Group's knowledge work and activities? (1-Not significant at all, 10-Very significant; 1-Very low technical quality, 10-Very high technical quality) 61 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives F. The Future Role of The World Bank Group in Maldives Which of the following SHOULD the World Bank Group do to make itself of greater value in Maldives? (Choose no more than TWO) Employee of a Ministry/ Independent Private Sector/ Percentage of Respondents PMU/Consultant on Local Government Bilateral/ Financial Sector/ (Responses combined) WBG Project Government Institution Multilateral Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other Offer more real-time advice 4.5% 16.7% 25.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 60.0% 0.0% and guidance* Help to bring discipline/effective supervision 13.6% 50.0% 25.0% 37.5% 10.0% 33.3% 20.0% 33.3% to implementation of World Bank Group projects Help leverage additional donor 9.1% 0.0% 25.0% 37.5% 30.0% 16.7% 20.0% 16.7% or private sector finance Engage more effectively with partners such as bilaterals, 13.6% 16.7% 0.0% 25.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% multilaterals, trust funds, UN Offer more innovative financial 13.6% 16.7% 0.0% 12.5% 20.0% 16.7% 20.0% 16.7% products and services Ensure greater selectivity in its 22.7% 33.3% 0.0% 0.0% 10.0% 16.7% 0.0% 0.0% work Provide more adequate data/knowledge/statistics/figur 4.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 10.0% 16.7% 0.0% 33.3% es on Maldives’ economy Engage more effectively with 22.7% 0.0% 0.0% 25.0% 10.0% 50.0% 20.0% 0.0% civil society (e.g., NGOs, CBOs) Increase the level of capacity 31.8% 16.7% 75.0% 0.0% 30.0% 16.7% 20.0% 16.7% development in the country Engage more directly with 4.5% 16.7% 0.0% 25.0% 10.0% 16.7% 0.0% 16.7% beneficiaries Improve the quality of its experts as related to Maldives’ 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 25.0% 0.0% 0.0% 20.0% 33.3% specific challenges* Engage more effectively with 22.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 50.0% 16.7% 0.0% 0.0% private sector* Offer more innovative knowledge products and 0.0% 0.0% 25.0% 12.5% 10.0% 0.0% 20.0% 0.0% services Collaborate more effectively 9.1% 16.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 16.7% with Government clients Work faster 4.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Reduce the complexity of obtaining World Bank Group 18.2% 16.7% 0.0% 0.0% 10.0% 0.0% 0.0% 16.7% financing Other 4.5% 0.0% 25.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% *Significantly different between stakeholder groups 62 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives F. The Future Role of The World Bank Group in Maldives (continued) In addition to the regular relations with the national government, which TWO of the following groups should the World Bank Group collaborate with more in your country? (Choose no more than TWO) Employee of a Ministry/ Independent Private Sector/ Percentage of Respondents PMU/Consultant on Local Government Bilateral/ Financial Sector/ (Responses combined) WBG Project Government Institution Multilateral Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other Academia/think 43.5% 16.7% 60.0% 37.5% 20.0% 0.0% 60.0% 33.3% tanks/research institutes Parliament 13.0% 16.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 16.7% 0.0% 0.0% Foundations* 0.0% 33.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Media 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Donor community 17.4% 16.7% 20.0% 37.5% 30.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% NGOs/Community Based 34.8% 50.0% 0.0% 37.5% 20.0% 83.3% 60.0% 50.0% Organizations Beneficiaries 17.4% 0.0% 20.0% 50.0% 10.0% 50.0% 0.0% 16.7% Youth/university groups 17.4% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 20.0% 16.7% 40.0% 0.0% Private sector 30.4% 0.0% 20.0% 12.5% 70.0% 16.7% 20.0% 50.0% Local government 26.1% 66.7% 60.0% 25.0% 20.0% 16.7% 20.0% 33.3% Other 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 10.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Don’t know 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% *Significantly different between stakeholder groups G. Communication and Information Sharing How frequently do you interact with the World Bank Group now in Maldives? Employee of a Ministry/ Independent Private Sector/ PMU/Consultant on Local Government Bilateral/ Financial Sector/ Percentage of Respondents WBG Project Government Institution Multilateral Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other Never 4.5% 50.0% 60.0% 0.0% 40.0% 33.3% 60.0% 16.7% Less than once a year 18.2% 50.0% 0.0% 25.0% 20.0% 33.3% 40.0% 0.0% Once a year to a few times 36.4% 0.0% 20.0% 62.5% 30.0% 0.0% 0.0% 66.7% a year Less than once a month 4.5% 0.0% 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% 16.7% 0.0% 16.7% At least once a month 13.6% 0.0% 20.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% At least once a week 22.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 10.0% 16.7% 0.0% 0.0% 63 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives G. Communication and Information Sharing (continued) How do you get most of your information about economic and social development issues in Maldives? (Choose no more than TWO) Employee of a Ministry/ Independent Private Sector/ Percentage of Respondents PMU/Consultant on Local Government Bilateral/ Financial Sector/ (Responses combined) WBG Project Government Institution Multilateral Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other Local radio 0.0% 20.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 16.7% 0.0% 0.0% International radio 0.0% 20.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Local newspapers 50.0% 40.0% 75.0% 25.0% 60.0% 66.7% 80.0% 66.7% International newspapers 27.3% 0.0% 0.0% 12.5% 20.0% 0.0% 0.0% 16.7% Local television 27.3% 20.0% 25.0% 25.0% 20.0% 16.7% 20.0% 16.7% International television 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Periodicals 18.2% 0.0% 0.0% 37.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 16.7% Social media 45.5% 40.0% 75.0% 87.5% 70.0% 83.3% 40.0% 50.0% Other* 4.5% 20.0% 25.0% 0.0% 0.0% 16.7% 60.0% 0.0% *Significantly different between stakeholder groups How would you prefer to receive information from the World Bank Group? (Choose no more than TWO) Employee of a Ministry/ Independent Private Sector/ Percentage of Respondents PMU/Consultant on Local Government Bilateral/ Financial Sector/ (Responses combined) WBG Project Government Institution Multilateral Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other World Bank Group’s publications and other 43.5% 50.0% 20.0% 37.5% 20.0% 33.3% 80.0% 33.3% written materials e-Newsletters 43.5% 50.0% 0.0% 12.5% 50.0% 16.7% 20.0% 50.0% World Bank Group’s seminars/workshops/con 30.4% 50.0% 20.0% 12.5% 50.0% 16.7% 0.0% 16.7% ferences Social media 52.2% 50.0% 80.0% 75.0% 60.0% 83.3% 40.0% 50.0% Direct contact with 26.1% 16.7% 60.0% 12.5% 10.0% 16.7% 0.0% 0.0% World Bank Group World Bank Group’s 21.7% 33.3% 60.0% 62.5% 20.0% 16.7% 60.0% 16.7% website Webinars or online events hosted by the 21.7% 33.3% 0.0% 0.0% 20.0% 33.3% 20.0% 33.3% World Bank Group Interviews and press conferences for the 13.0% 16.7% 40.0% 12.5% 30.0% 50.0% 40.0% 16.7% Maldives’ media 64 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives G. Communication and Information Sharing (continued) Which Internet connection do you use primarily when visiting a World Bank Group website? (Select only ONE response) Employee of a Ministry/ Independent Private Sector/ PMU/Consultant on Local Government Bilateral/ Financial Sector/ Percentage of Respondents WBG Project Government Institution Multilateral Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other High speed/WiFi 95.2% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 90.0% 66.7% 100.0% 100.0% Dial-up 4.8% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 10.0% 33.3% 0.0% 0.0% H. Background Information Currently, do you professionally collaborate/work with the World Bank Group (IDA, IFC, MIGA, ICSID) in your country?* Employee of a Ministry/ Independent Private Sector/ PMU/Consultant on Local Government Bilateral/ Financial Sector/ Percentage of Respondents WBG Project Government Institution Multilateral Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other Yes 63.0% 12.5% 42.9% 50.0% 6.7% 12.5% 16.7% 33.3% No 37.0% 87.5% 57.1% 50.0% 93.3% 87.5% 83.3% 66.7% *Significantly different between stakeholder groups If yes, which of the following agencies of the World Bank Group do you primarily collaborate/ work with in Maldives? (Select only ONE response) Employee of a Ministry/ Independent Private Sector/ PMU/Consultant on Local Government Bilateral/ Financial Sector/ Percentage of Respondents WBG Project Government Institution Multilateral Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other IDA 100.0% 100.0% 66.7% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% IFC 0.0% 0.0% 33.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Which of the following describes most of your exposure to the World Bank Group in Maldives? (Choose no more than TWO) Employee of a Ministry/ Independent Private Sector/ Percentage of Respondents PMU/Consultant on Local Government Bilateral/ Financial Sector/ (Responses combined) WBG Project Government Institution Multilateral Agency Private Bank NGO Academia Other Observer* 0.0% 33.3% 16.7% 25.0% 64.3% 62.5% 50.0% 0.0% Use World Bank Group 23.1% 0.0% 50.0% 62.5% 21.4% 37.5% 50.0% 57.1% reports/data Engage in World Bank Group related/sponsored 7.7% 16.7% 16.7% 0.0% 21.4% 37.5% 0.0% 14.3% events/activities Collaborate as part of my 69.2% 50.0% 83.3% 62.5% 14.3% 25.0% 16.7% 42.9% professional duties* Use World Bank Group website for information, 30.8% 16.7% 16.7% 12.5% 42.9% 37.5% 33.3% 57.1% data, research, etc. *Significantly different between stakeholder groups 65 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives Appendix C: Responses to Selected Questions by Level of Collaboration with the World Bank Group18 Note that this appendix presents comparative analysis of the data from those respondents who collaborate with the WBG vs. those respondents who do not collaborate with the WBG and covers the following selected questions from the FY21 Maldives COS questionnaire: All 10-point scale questions and questions B7, B9, B10, and F1. Collaborating with the WBG, FY21 N=30 Not collaborating with the WBG, FY21 N=55 A. Overall Context To what extent do you trust each of the following groups to do what is right? (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD The national government 28 5.75 2.15 49 5.39 2.50 Bilateral organizations (e.g., DFID, JICA, GIZ, USAID) 26 6.65 1.70 40 6.53 2.16 The World Bank Group 27 6.89 1.97 46 7.04 2.33 The International Monetary Fund 24 6.67 1.71 46 6.87 2.46 The United Nations (UN) 26 6.81 1.88 47 7.15 1.98 The World Health Organization (WHO) 25 6.72 2.03 48 7.54 1.87 Regional development banks 23 6.13 1.87 45 6.58 2.25 The Maldives Monetary Authority 24 5.67 2.30 48 6.02 2.35 International private sector 22 5.68 2.01 42 5.93 1.81 Domestic private sector 24 4.83 2.12 43 5.63 1.95 International civil society 26 6.88 1.90 46 7.52 1.64 Domestic civil society 27 6.37 1.94 50 7.04 2.34 Youth organizations* 23 5.57 2.04 43 6.63 2.04 Religious institutions 23 4.52 2.27 43 5.07 2.52 Domestic traditional media and their web presence 27 4.19 2.08 47 4.72 2.33 International media and their web presence 26 4.96 2.09 46 5.52 1.83 Web based media 26 4.27 1.91 46 5.00 2.13 *Significantly different between collaborators and non-collaborators B. Overall Attitudes Toward the World Bank Group How familiar are you with the work of these organizations in Maldives? (1-Not familiar at all, 10-Extremely familiar) Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD The World Bank (IDA)* 28 7.18 1.94 51 5.12 2.82 The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World 28 4.82 2.52 50 4.50 2.79 Bank Group’s private sector arm *Significantly different between collaborators and non-collaborators 18 Only 85 respondents provided information about their level of collaboration with the World Bank Group (question H3 in the questionnaire). Therefore, only these respondents were included in the analysis presented in this appendix. 66 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives B. Overall Attitudes Toward the World Bank Group (continued) To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statements about the World Bank Group’s work in Maldives? (1-Strongly disagree, 10-Strongly agree) Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD Overall, the World Bank Group currently plays a relevant 28 6.71 2.24 48 6.65 2.20 role in development in Maldives The World Bank Group’s work is aligned with what I 28 6.89 2.36 44 6.18 2.37 consider the development priorities for Maldives Overall, please rate your impression of the effectiveness of these organizations in Maldives. (1-Not effective at all, 10-Very effective) Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD The World Bank (IDA) 27 6.67 2.11 41 6.46 2.10 The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World 19 6.11 2.13 36 6.33 2.31 Bank Group’s private sector arm Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD To what extent does the World Bank Group’s work help 28 6.61 2.02 43 6.47 2.12 to achieve development results in Maldives? (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD To what extent does the World Bank Group influence 25 6.72 2.23 37 6.00 2.03 the development agenda in Maldives? (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) To what extent do you believe that the World Bank Group’s work and support help the poorest in Maldives? (Select only ONE response) Collaborating with the Not collaborating Percentage of Respondents WBG with the WBG To a fully sufficient degree 3.6% 8.3% To a somewhat sufficient degree 42.9% 43.8% To a somewhat insufficient degree 17.9% 18.8% To a very insufficient degree 21.4% 10.4% Don't know 14.3% 18.8% 67 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives B. Overall Attitudes Toward the World Bank Group (continued) Which of the following do you identify as the World Bank Group’s greatest WEAKNESSES in its work in Maldives? (Choose no more than TWO) Percentage of Respondents Collaborating with Not collaborating (Responses combined) the WBG with the WBG Not collaborating enough with partners such as bilaterals, 17.9% 12.2% multilaterals, trust funds, UN Not aligned with country priorities 3.6% 10.2% Not adequately sensitive to political/social realities in 14.3% 8.2% Maldives Not collaborating enough with private sector 17.9% 38.8% Inadequate level of real-time advice and guidance 3.6% 8.2% Inadequate number of innovative knowledge products and 7.1% 2.0% services Inadequate number of innovative financial products and 10.7% 0.0% services* Too influenced by developed countries 7.1% 14.3% World Bank Group’s processes too slow and complex 7.1% 8.2% Not adequately flexible in changing country circumstances 7.1% 4.1% Not sufficiently focused on sustainable results 14.3% 6.1% Not collaborating enough with civil society 3.6% 18.4% Not enough public disclosure of its work 3.6% 14.3% Not willing to honestly criticize policies and reform efforts 10.7% 10.2% in the country Staff too inaccessible 0.0% 2.0% Arrogant in its approach 0.0% 0.0% Inadequate World Bank Group’s staffing in Maldives 21.4% 8.2% Other 14.3% 4.1% Don’t know 10.7% 12.2% *Significantly different between collaborators and non-collaborators 68 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives B. Overall Attitudes toward the World Bank Group (continued) When thinking about how the World Bank Group can have the most impact on development results in Maldives, in which sectors do you believe the World Bank Group should focus most of its resources (financial and knowledge services) in Maldives? (Choose no more than THREE) Percentage of Respondents Collaborating with the Not collaborating with (Responses combined) WBG the WBG Pollution 0.0% 2.0% Job creation/employment 35.7% 40.8% Health 3.6% 16.3% Urban development 25.0% 12.2% Private sector development 25.0% 22.4% Public sector governance/reform 42.9% 22.4% Global pandemics (e.g., COVID-19) 3.6% 0.0% Housing 35.7% 30.6% Social protection 7.1% 8.2% Transport (e.g., roads, bridges, transportation) 3.6% 2.0% Financial markets 10.7% 8.2% Education 7.1% 14.3% Global/regional integration 3.6% 2.0% Food security, safety and accessibility 0.0% 8.2% Energy 7.1% 0.0% Water and sanitation 0.0% 0.0% Disaster risk management 3.6% 4.1% Equality of opportunity (i.e., social inclusion)* 0.0% 14.3% Natural resource management (renewables) 0.0% 4.1% Reduction of national debt 17.9% 14.3% Information and communications technology 3.6% 8.2% Non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes, cancer, etc.) 0.0% 0.0% Anti-corruption* 21.4% 2.0% Fisheries 0.0% 4.1% Gender equity 0.0% 0.0% Agriculture 3.6% 0.0% Trade and exports 0.0% 0.0% Crime and violence 0.0% 2.0% Climate change (e.g., mitigation, adaptation) 14.3% 12.2% Poverty reduction 3.6% 8.2% Judicial reform 0.0% 2.0% Economic growth 10.7% 20.4% *Significantly different between collaborators and non-collaborators C. World Bank Group’s Work and Engagement on the Ground Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD To what extent do you believe the World Bank Group’s staff is well prepared to help Maldives solve its most 25 6.04 2.52 34 6.26 1.71 complicated development challenges? (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD To what extent do you believe the World Bank Group is 23 4.39 2.61 31 4.84 2.00 adequately staffed in Maldives? (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) 69 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives C. World Bank Group’s Work and Engagement on the Ground (continued) To what extent is the World Bank Group an effective development partner in Maldives, in terms of each of the following? (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD Responsiveness to needs 25 6.40 2.06 37 6.22 2.24 Flexibility (in terms of the institution’s products and 23 6.00 2.13 31 6.13 2.03 services) Flexibility (in terms of changing country circumstances) 21 5.81 2.23 33 6.24 2.24 Being inclusive 24 6.46 2.11 35 6.71 2.11 Openness (sharing data and other information) 24 6.88 2.29 37 6.73 2.08 Collaboration with the Government 25 7.44 2.00 37 7.35 1.55 The speed in which it gets things accomplished on the 23 5.74 2.47 32 5.59 1.76 ground Helping to bring discipline/effective supervision to 24 6.17 2.50 36 5.86 2.36 implementation of investment projects Collaboration with civil society 22 5.77 2.35 33 5.15 2.03 Staff accessibility 22 6.50 2.89 28 5.43 2.12 Collaboration with other donors and development 23 6.22 2.19 35 6.23 2.14 partners Collaboration with the private sector 19 5.47 2.41 36 5.11 2.25 Straightforwardness and honesty 23 6.57 2.43 32 6.59 2.03 Treating clients and stakeholders in Maldives with 25 7.48 2.14 34 7.35 2.12 respect Being a long-term partner 25 8.00 2.10 41 7.41 2.13 To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statements? (1-Strongly disagree, 10-Strongly agree) Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD The World Bank Group disburses funds promptly* 20 7.65 1.90 31 6.39 2.20 The World Bank Group effectively monitors and evaluates 26 6.81 2.25 35 6.00 2.51 the projects and programs it supports The World Bank Group’s approvals and reviews are done in 24 6.67 2.24 29 6.10 1.99 a timely fashion The World Bank Group’s Environmental and Social 22 6.73 1.96 30 6.33 1.84 Framework requirements are reasonable The World Bank Group’s conditions on its lending are 21 6.86 2.20 29 6.59 1.72 reasonable The World Bank Group takes decisions quickly in Maldives 20 6.70 2.30 29 6.38 1.99 Working with the World Bank Group increases Maldives’ 24 6.92 2.39 35 7.43 2.09 institutional capacity *Significantly different between collaborators and non-collaborators 70 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives C. World Bank Group’s Work and Engagement on the Ground (continued) To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statements about the World Bank Group in Maldives? (1- Strongly disagree, 10- Strongly agree) Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD The World Bank Group’s financial instruments meet the 25 6.28 2.23 34 5.94 2.28 needs of Maldives The World Bank Group meets Maldives’ needs for 26 6.73 2.20 36 6.19 2.18 knowledge services Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD The World Bank Group has provided real time advice and guidance to the government and policy makers, built on its COVID-19 “Approach Paper” published soon after the outbreak. Please rate the usefulness of this more 17 7.47 2.21 28 7.04 1.69 informal advice and guidance to the Maldives government’s efforts to support citizens throughout this crisis? (1- Not useful at all, 10- Very useful) Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD How important is it for the World Bank Group to focus resources on its global advocacy role, to help promote 25 8.24 1.88 42 8.55 1.84 policies related to its work in areas including climate, health, gender, and debt? (1- Not important at all, 10- Very important) How effectively does the World Bank Group support Maldives’s efforts … ? (1-Not effectively at all, 10-Very effectively) Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD To build stronger domestic resource mobilization 20 6.35 2.01 32 6.19 1.80 systems in the Government (e.g., tax collection) To develop better and stronger data collection/analytics 22 6.18 2.04 33 6.64 1.85 systems within the Government To strengthen the country’s crisis preparedness 22 6.55 2.15 35 6.71 1.99 71 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives D. World Bank Group’s Support in Development Areas How EFFECTIVE do you believe the World Bank Group is in terms of the work it does in the following areas of development in Maldives? (1-Not effective at all, 10-Very effective) Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD Social protection 8 7.13 2.53 24 6.29 2.12 Gender equity 11 6.00 2.57 18 6.33 2.09 Private sector development 12 6.17 2.29 22 5.59 2.34 Education 12 6.92 2.50 21 6.71 2.12 Public sector governance/reform 19 7.05 1.93 25 6.32 2.12 Food security, safety and accessibility 9 5.22 2.64 17 6.53 1.94 Housing 9 3.78 1.99 18 4.94 2.51 Energy 13 6.85 2.03 19 5.79 3.08 Water and sanitation 7 5.29 2.21 20 6.10 2.75 Job creation/employment 11 6.09 2.47 21 5.52 2.62 Health 10 5.20 2.39 19 6.37 2.52 Financial markets 9 4.11 1.96 18 5.94 2.55 Transport (e.g., roads, bridges, transportation) 7 3.29 2.21 14 5.64 3.00 Agriculture 7 4.14 1.77 17 6.24 2.51 Fisheries 11 6.00 2.37 17 6.53 2.40 Natural resource management (renewables) 12 5.83 2.62 16 5.31 3.16 Climate change (e.g., mitigation, adaptation) 15 6.60 2.20 17 6.12 2.83 Poverty reduction 11 5.36 2.54 22 6.36 2.44 Economic growth 12 6.58 2.11 24 6.50 1.87 Disaster risk management 9 6.00 2.24 19 6.26 2.31 Equality of opportunity (i.e., social inclusion) 9 4.89 2.37 21 5.62 2.65 Non-communicable diseases 7 4.86 2.34 14 5.79 2.78 Information and communications technology 7 5.14 2.34 20 5.95 2.46 Global pandemics (e.g., COVID-19) 16 7.63 1.93 25 7.64 1.87 The World Bank Group has provided fast track support to Maldives related to the outbreak of COVID-19 since early 2020. Please rate the World Bank Group’s effectiveness when considering this fast tr ack support, if and as it applies to your country, in the following areas: (1-Not effective at all, 10-Very effective) Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD Supporting health interventions for saving lives 14 7.43 1.91 23 7.17 1.90 Education 14 7.00 2.29 21 6.86 2.31 Protecting poor people 11 7.09 2.39 22 6.50 2.15 Ensuring sustainable business growth and job creation 12 7.17 1.99 25 6.20 2.24 Strengthening policies, institutions and investments for 11 7.00 1.84 25 6.04 2.37 rebuilding better Macroeconomic stability and transparent debt 14 7.07 1.90 23 6.48 2.23 management 72 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives E. World Bank Group’s Knowledge Work and Activities In Maldives, to what extent do you believe that the World Bank Group’s knowledge work and activities: (1- To no degree at all, 10- To a very significant degree) Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD Are timely 23 7.39 1.80 27 6.70 1.90 Include appropriate level of stakeholder involvement 22 6.77 2.22 29 6.17 1.91 during preparation Lead to practical solutions 23 7.00 2.02 28 6.50 1.91 Are source of relevant information on global good 22 7.36 1.97 30 7.40 1.94 practices Are adequately disseminated 23 6.74 1.98 28 6.18 1.98 Are translated enough into local language 20 5.05 2.35 27 5.07 2.56 Are adaptable to Maldives’ specific development 22 6.55 1.90 29 6.34 2.07 challenges and country circumstances Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD Overall, how significant a contribution do you believe the World Bank Group's knowledge work and activities 24 7.58 1.74 32 7.00 1.90 make to development results in your country? (1- Not significant at all, 10- Very significant) Collaborating with the WBG Not collaborating with the WBG N Mean SD N Mean SD Overall, how would you rate the technical quality of the 24 7.67 2.18 34 7.53 1.83 World Bank Group's knowledge work and activities?* (1- Very low technical quality, 10- Very high technical quality) 73 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives F. The future role of the World Bank Group in Maldives Which of the following SHOULD the World Bank Group do to make itself of greater value in Maldives? (Choose no more than TWO) Percentage of Respondents Collaborating with Not collaborating (Responses combined) the WBG with the WBG Offer more real-time advice and guidance 4.0% 12.2% Help to bring discipline/effective supervision to implementation of World Bank 32.0% 19.5% Group projects Help leverage additional donor or private sector finance 20.0% 17.1% Engage more effectively with partners such as bilaterals, multilaterals, trust 12.0% 7.3% funds, UN Offer more innovative financial products and services 12.0% 17.1% Ensure greater selectivity in its work 12.0% 14.6% Provide more adequate data/knowledge/statistics/figures on Maldives’ 0.0% 9.8% economy Engage more effectively with civil society (e.g., NGOs, CBOs) 16.0% 19.5% Increase the level of capacity development in the country 32.0% 19.5% Engage more directly with beneficiaries 12.0% 9.8% Improve the quality of its experts as related to Maldives’ specific challenges 0.0% 12.2% Engage more effectively with private sector 12.0% 19.5% Offer more innovative knowledge products and services 0.0% 9.8% Collaborate more effectively with Government clients (e.g., national, state, 8.0% 4.9% local) Work faster 4.0% 0.0% Reduce the complexity of obtaining World Bank Group financing* 20.0% 4.9% Other 4.0% 2.4% *Significantly different between collaborators and non-collaborators 74 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives Appendix D: Responses to Selected Questions by Year19 All data presented in this appendix are weighted. As a result, means of the FY 2021 data and the total number of respondents indicated will be slightly different from the aggregated responses in Appendix A. Similarly, responses from FY 2018 respondents and the total number of respondents indicated may differ from those reported in the FY 2018 COS report. FY 2018 Number of comparable respondents = 98 FY 2021 Number of comparable respondents = 85 By weighting, the FY 2018 and FY 2021 samples have the same stakeholder composition and thus are comparable. The weighted percentage of a stakeholder group is determined by the extent to which the World Bank Group interacts with them in the country and the percentage this group usually makes up in the past aggregated annual global data. The weighted stakeholder breakdown is presented below: Percentage of Respondents FY 2018 FY 2021 Office of the President 2.5% 2.5% Government Institutions 40.5% 40.5% Local Government 6.5% 6.5% Bilateral/Multilateral Agency 11.5% 11.5% Civil Society 13.5% 13.5% Private Sector 17.5% 17.5% Academia/Research Institute/Think Tank 7.0% 7.0% Media 1.0% 1.0% B. Overall Attitudes toward the World Bank Group FY 2018 FY 2021 N Mean SD N Mean SD How familiar are you with the work of the World Bank Group in 95 5.32 2.36 80 5.16 2.54 Maldives?i (1-Not familiar at all, 10-Extremely familiar) i In FY 2021, this question was asked separately about the World Bank and the IFC (B1_1 and B1_2). A mean score of responses provided to these two questions was calculated, and the resulting variable was then weighted and compared to question B1 from FY 2018 – “How familiar are you with the work of the World Bank Group in Maldives”. 19Only those questions that were asked both in FY 2018 and FY 2021 country opinion surveys, with similar response scales/options, are presented in this appendix. 75 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives B. Overall Attitudes toward the World Bank Group (continued) To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statements about the World Bank Group’s work in Maldives? (1-Strongly disagree, 10-Strongly agree) FY 2018 FY 2021 N Mean SD N Mean SD Overall the World Bank Group currently plays a relevant role in 75 6.15 2.03 77 6.61 2.17 development in Maldives The World Bank Group’s work is aligned with what I consider the 74 5.89 1.89 73 6.25 2.38 development priorities for Maldives FY 2018 FY 2021 N Mean SD N Mean SD Overall, please rate your impression of the World Bank Group’s 82 6.26 2.03 68 6.19 2.15 effectiveness in Maldives.i (1-Not effective at all, 10-Very effective) i In FY 2021, this question was asked separately about the World Bank and the IFC (B4_1 and B4_2). A mean score of responses provided to these two questions was calculated, and the resulting variable was then weighted and compared to question B2 from FY 2018 – “Overall, please rate your impression of the World Bank Group’s effectiveness in Maldives.” FY 2018 FY 2021 N Mean SD N Mean SD To what extent does the World Bank Group’s work help to achieve 64 6.45 1.52 71 6.33 2.07 development results in Maldives? (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) To what extent do you believe that the World Bank Group’s work and support help the poorest in Maldives? (Select only ONE response) Percentage of Respondents FY 2018 FY 2021 To a fully sufficient degree 4.4% 5.3% To a somewhat sufficient degree 27.8% 40.8% To a somewhat insufficient degree 27.8% 19.7% To a very insufficient degree 15.6% 17.1% Don’t know 24.4% 17.1% C. World Bank Group’s Work and Engagement on the Ground FY 2018 FY 2021 N Mean SD N Mean SD To what extent do you believe the World Bank Group’s staff is well prepared to help Maldives solve its most complicated development 73 6.43 2.14 58 5.97 2.10 challenges? (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) 76 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives C. World Bank Group’s Work and Engagement on the Ground (continued) To what extent is the World Bank Group an effective development partner in Maldives, in terms of each of the following? (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) FY 2018 FY 2021 N Mean SD N Mean SD Responsiveness to needs 62 6.26 1.93 62 6.12 2.08 Flexibility (in terms of the institution’s products and services) 60 6.11 1.69 54 5.95 1.98 Flexibility (in terms of changing country circumstances) 57 5.91 1.91 51 5.96 2.19 Being inclusive 65 5.77 1.97 59 6.44 2.06 Openness (sharing data and other information) 67 6.36 2.22 61 6.66 2.13 Collaboration with the Government 67 7.35 1.80 62 7.32 1.66 The speed in which it gets things accomplished on the ground 61 5.73 2.14 55 5.38 2.11 Helping to bring discipline/effective supervision to implementation 61 5.73 2.00 60 5.75 2.47 of investment projects Collaboration with civil society 62 4.81 2.04 56 5.21 2.15 Staff accessibility 61 5.35 2.09 50 5.73 2.53 Collaboration with other donors and development partners 53 5.65 1.99 58 6.23 2.12 Collaboration with the private sector 56 5.06 1.95 54 5.12 2.25 Straightforwardness and honesty 61 6.76 1.95 54 6.52 2.14 Treating clients and stakeholders in Maldives with respect 62 7.66 1.93 58 7.31 2.04 Being a long-term partner 70 7.80 1.73 67 7.64 2.12 To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statements? (1-Strongly disagree, 10-Strongly agree) FY 2018 FY 2021 N Mean SD N Mean SD The World Bank Group disburses funds promptly 38 6.50 2.38 49 6.80 2.18 The World Bank Group effectively monitors and evaluates the 54 6.37 2.31 62 6.03 2.51 projects and programs it supports The World Bank Group’s approvals and reviews are done in a 48 6.39 1.92 52 6.40 2.12 timely fashion The World Bank Group’s Environmental and Social Framework 37 6.49 1.91 51 6.45 1.92 requirements are reasonablei The World Bank Group’s conditions on its lending are reasonable 38 6.39 1.92 49 6.70 1.92 The World Bank Group takes decisions quickly in Maldives 48 5.85 1.94 48 6.50 2.11 Working with the World Bank Group increases Maldives’ 59 6.90 1.77 60 7.18 2.22 institutional capacity i In FY 2018, the category was “The World Bank Group’s ‘Safeguard Policy’ requirements are reasonable”. To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statements about the World Bank Group in Maldives? (1-Strongly disagree, 10-Strongly agree) FY 2018 FY 2021 N Mean SD N Mean SD The World Bank Group’s financial instruments meet the needs of 58 6.02 1.87 59 6.04 2.26 Maldives The World Bank Group meets Maldives’s needs for knowledge 62 6.30 1.70 62 6.32 2.14 services 77 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives C. World Bank Group’s Work and Engagement on the Ground (continued) How effectively does the World Bank Group support Maldives’s efforts … ? (1-Not effectively at all, 10-Very effectively) FY 2018 FY 2021 N Mean SD N Mean SD To build stronger domestic resource mobilization systems in the 46 5.83 1.75 49 6.17 1.86 Government (e.g., tax collection) To develop better and stronger data collection/analytics systems 60 6.02 1.65 52 6.40 1.96 within the Government To strengthen the country’s crisis preparedness* 47 5.78 1.66 56 6.67 2.13 * Significantly different between FY2018 and FY2021 D. World Bank Group’s Support in Development Areas How EFFECTIVE do you believe the World Bank Group is in terms of the work it does in the following areas of development in Maldives? (1-Not effective at all, 10-Very effective) FY 2018 FY 2021 N Mean SD N Mean SD Social protection 44 6.03 1.93 31 6.47 2.19 Gender equity 46 6.25 1.90 30 6.23 2.13 Private sector development 46 5.06 1.92 34 5.88 2.40 Education 54 6.72 2.09 34 6.65 2.16 i Public sector governance/reform 50 6.27 1.78 45 6.30 2.25 ii Food security, safety and accessibility 27 6.22 2.25 ii Housing 26 4.49 2.39 Energy 37 6.40 1.72 33 6.38 2.76 Water and sanitation 37 6.54 1.54 28 5.96 2.57 ii Job creation/employment 34 5.30 2.63 ii Health 31 5.92 2.39 Financial markets 37 6.19 1.68 26 5.34 2.46 Transport (e.g., roads, bridges, transportation)ii 22 5.06 2.90 ii Agriculture 25 5.81 2.49 Fisheries 39 6.37 1.98 28 6.44 2.31 ii Natural resource management (renewables) 29 5.75 2.93 Climate change (e.g., mitigation, adaptation) 45 6.63 1.98 34 6.31 2.51 Poverty reductioniii 41 6.09 2.09 35 5.59 2.68 Economic growth 50 6.54 1.73 38 6.42 1.84 Disaster risk management 44 6.23 1.98 29 6.22 2.26 Equality of opportunity (i.e., social inclusion) 40 6.07 1.93 30 5.34 2.57 ii Non-communicable diseases 22 5.00 2.70 Information and communications technologyii 28 5.35 2.58 ii Global pandemics (e.g., COVID-19) 42 7.67 1.94 i In FY18, the option was “Public sector” ii Only FY21 questionnaire had this response option iii In FY18, the option was “Poverty or inequality reduction ” 78 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives E. The World Bank Group’s Knowledge Work and Activities How frequently do you consult World Bank Group’s knowledge work and activities in the work you do? Percentage of Respondents FY 2018 FY 2021 Weekly 2.5% 7.2% Monthly 13.9% 11.6% A few times a year 39.2% 34.8% Rarely 22.8% 30.4% Never 21.5% 15.9% In Maldives, to what extent do you believe that the World Bank Group’s knowledge work and activities: (1-To no degree at all, 10-To a very significant degree) FY 2018 FY 2021 N Mean SD N Mean SD Are timely* 55 5.93 2.04 51 6.96 1.92 Include appropriate level of stakeholder involvement during 59 5.71 1.99 52 6.25 2.03 preparation Lead to practical solutions 59 5.90 1.97 52 6.52 2.04 Are source of relevant information on global good practices* 61 6.09 1.97 53 7.50 1.86 Are adequately disseminated 58 6.70 1.88 53 6.41 1.96 Are translated enough into local language* 57 5.73 2.05 49 4.84 2.43 Are adaptable to Maldives’ specific development challenges and 48 4.48 2.18 51 6.22 2.01 country circumstances* *Significantly different between FY2018 and FY2021 FY 2018 FY 2021 N Mean SD N Mean SD Overall, how significant a contribution do you believe the World Bank Group's knowledge work and activities make to development 64 6.27 1.71 56 7.34 1.85 results in your country?* Overall, how would you rate the technical quality of the World Bank 61 7.01 1.63 59 7.63 1.90 Group's knowledge work and activities?* (1-Not significant at all, 10-Very significant; 1-Very low technical quality, 10-Very high technical quality) *Significantly different between FY2018 and FY2021 G. Communication and Information Sharing Which Internet connection do you use primarily when visiting a World Bank Group website? Percentage of Respondents FY 2018 FY 2021 High speed/WiFi 97.1% 92.4% Dial-up 2.9% 7.6% 79 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives Appendix E: Indicator Questions as a Function of Exposure to the World Bank Group Currently, do you professionally collaborate/work with the World Bank Indicator Question Group in your country? Not collaborating with Collaborating with the the WBG WBG To what extent do you trust the World Bank Group to do what is right? 7.04 6.89 Overall the World Bank Group currently plays a relevant role in 6.65 6.71 development in Maldives The World Bank Group’s work is aligned with what I consider the 6.18 6.89 development priorities for Maldives Overall, please rate your impression of the World Bank’s effectiveness in 6.46 6.67 Maldives. Overall, please rate your impression of the IFC’s effectiveness in Maldives. 6.33 6.11 To what extent does the World Bank Group’s work help to achieve 6.47 6.61 development results in Maldives? To what extent does the World Bank Group influence the development 6.00 6.72 agenda in Maldives? Responsiveness to needs 6.22 6.40 Flexibility (in terms of the institution’s products and services) 6.13 6.00 Flexibility (in terms of changing country circumstances) 6.24 5.81 Being inclusive 6.71 6.46 Openness (sharing data and other information) 6.73 6.88 Collaboration with the Government 7.35 7.44 The speed in which it gets things accomplished on the ground 5.59 5.74 Helping to bring discipline/effective supervision to implementation of 5.86 6.17 investment projects Collaboration with civil society 5.15 5.77 Staff accessibility 5.43 6.50 Collaboration with other donors and development partners 6.23 6.22 Collaboration with the private sector 5.11 5.47 Straightforwardness and honesty 6.59 6.57 Treating clients and stakeholders in Maldives with respect 7.35 7.48 Being a long-term partner 7.41 8.00 The World Bank Group takes decisions quickly in Maldives 6.38 6.70 The World Bank Group’s financial instruments meet the needs of Maldives 5.94 6.28 The World Bank Group meets Maldives’s needs for knowledge services 6.19 6.73 How important is it for the World Bank Group to focus resources on its global advocacy role, to help promote policies related to its work in areas 8.55 8.24 including climate, health, gender, and debt? In Maldives, to what extent do you believe that the World Bank Group’s knowledge work and activities are adaptable to Maldives’s specific 6.34 6.55 development challenges and country circumstances Overall, how significant a contribution do you believe the World Bank Group's knowledge work and activities make to development results in 7.00 7.58 your country? Overall, how would you rate the technical quality of the World Bank 7.53 7.67 Group's knowledge work and activities? 80 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives Appendix F: Maldives FY21 COS Questionnaire World Bank Group Country Survey FY 2021 – Maldives The World Bank Group is interested in gauging the views of clients and partners who are either involved in development in Maldives or who observe activities related to social and economic development. The following survey will give the World Bank Group’s team that works in Maldives, greater insight into how the Bank’s work is perceived. This is one tool the World Bank Group uses to assess the views of its stakeholders, and to develop more effective strategies that support development in Maldives. A local independent firm has been hired to oversee the logistics of this survey. This ensures anonymity and confidentiality. We hope you’ll be candid. Finally, the survey relates to the World Bank Group’s work. The World Bank Group consists of IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA, and ICSID. When responding to the survey, please consider the area of the World Bank Group with which you are most familiar. To complete the survey, please circle/check the response that most accurately reflects your opinion. If you prefer not to answer a question, please leave it blank. If you feel that you do not have an adequate amount of information on a subject, please check “Don’t know”. PLEASE NOTE: IN SOME CASES THE SURVEY WILL ASK FOR A SPECIFIC NUMBER OF RESPONSES. PLEASE DO NOT CHOOSE ANY MORE THAN REQUESTED. IF MORE RESPONSES ARE CHOSEN, DATA CANNOT BE INCLUDED IN ANALYSIS. 81 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives SECTION A: OVERALL CONTEXT A1. Do you think that economic opportunity for citizens in Maldives is … ? 1 Increasing 2 Decreasing 3 Staying about the same A2. Listed below are a number of development priorities in Maldives. Please identify which of the following you consider the most important development priorities in Maldives. (Choose no more than THREE) 1 Global/regional integration 17 Climate change (e.g., mitigation, adaptation) 2 Food security, safety and accessibility 18 Poverty reduction 3 Financial markets 19 Reduction of national debt 4 Global pandemics (e.g., COVID-19) 20 Natural resource management (renewables) 5 Housing 21 Fisheries Social protection (e.g., pensions, targeted social Gender equity (closing the gap between women 6 22 assistance) and men, and boys and girls) 7 Transport (e.g., roads, bridges, transportation) 23 Agriculture Private sector development (including public- Non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes, 8 24 private partnerships) cancer, etc.) 9 Education 25 Crime and violence Public sector governance/reform (i.e., government Information and communications technology 10 effectiveness, public financial management, public 26 (including digital transformation) expenditure, fiscal system reform) 11 Urban development 27 Anti-corruption 12 Energy 28 Judicial reform 13 Water and sanitation 29 Economic growth 14 Pollution 30 Disaster risk management 15 Job creation/employment 31 Equality of opportunity (i.e., social inclusion) 16 Health 32 Trade and exports 82 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives SECTION A: OVERALL CONTEXT A3. Poverty reduction is a broad term that encompasses work in many different areas. Which THREE areas of development listed below do you believe would contribute most to reducing poverty in Maldives? (Choose no more than THREE) 1 Crime and violence 16 Education 2 Agriculture 17 Financial markets 3 Judicial reform 18 Reduction of national debt 4 Fisheries 19 Housing Public sector governance/reform (i.e., government Social protection (e.g., pensions, targeted social 5 20 effectiveness, public financial management, public assistance) expenditure, fiscal system reform) 6 Economic growth 21 Water and sanitation 7 Disaster risk management 22 Pollution 8 Equality of opportunity (i.e., social inclusion) 23 Job creation/employment 9 Trade and exports 24 Health Information and communications technology Gender equity (closing the gap between women 10 25 (including digital transformation) and men, and boys and girls) Non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes, Private sector development (including public- 11 26 cancer, etc.) private partnerships) 12 Climate change (e.g., mitigation, adaptation) 27 Global/regional integration 13 Transport (e.g., roads, bridges, transportation) 28 Food security, safety and accessibility 14 Energy 29 Urban development 15 Anti-corruption 30 Natural resource management (renewables) A4. The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed many aspects of Maldives’ growth and development. In which areas would you like to see the Maldivian government focus most of its efforts related to the impact of COVID-19 over the next six months to a year? (Choose no more than THREE) 1 Ensuring that girls and women have equal access to health care/health services 2 Providing direct non-financial (e.g., food, healthcare supplies, etc.) support to citizens 3 Fair and equal distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine if, and when, a safe one is approved 4 Education 5 Healthcare 6 Housing 7 Poverty and inequality (e.g., strengthening the social safety net, social assistance) 8 Nutrition/food security 9 Public service delivery (e.g., strengthening policies, institutions) 10 Ensuring sustainable business growth and job creation 11 Ensuring that girls and women have equal access to job opportunities 12 Providing direct financial support to businesses (business support packages) 13 Other (please specify): ________________________________________ 83 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives SECTION A: OVERALL CONTEXT A5. When economic and/or social reform efforts fail or are slow to take place in Maldives, which of the following would you attribute this to? (Choose no more than TWO) 1 Inadequate level of donor coordination 2 Reforms are not well thought out in light of country challenges 3 National debt 4 Inadequate level of government accountability 5 Inadequate level of capacity in the government 6 Corruption 7 Pressure from outside interest groups (e.g., private sector, unions) 8 Political pressures and obstacles 9 Inadequate level of private sector participation 10 Inadequate level of citizen/civil society participation 11 Other (please specify): ________________________________________ A6. To what extent do you trust each of the following groups to do what is right? To no degree To a very significant Don't at all degree know 1 The national government 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  2 Bilateral organizations (e.g., DFID, JICA, GIZ, USAID) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  3 The World Bank Group 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  4 The International Monetary Fund 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  5 The United Nations (UN) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  6 The World Health Organization (WHO) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  7 Regional development banks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  8 The Maldives Monetary Authority 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  9 International private sector 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  10 Domestic private sector 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  International civil society (e.g., Red Crescent, 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Commonwealth Foundation, etc.) Domestic civil society (e.g., Transparency Maldives, NGO 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Journey, etc.) Youth organizations (e.g., Scout Association, Huvadhoo 13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Aid, etc.) 14 Religious institutions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Domestic traditional media and their web presence (e.g., 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  newspapers, TV stations, radio) 16 International media and their web presence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Web based media (i.e., blogs, social media, other web- 17 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  based news and information sources) 84 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives SECTION B: OVERALL ATTITUDES TOWARD THE WORLD BANK GROUP B1. How familiar are you with the work of these organizations in Maldives? Not familiar Extremely at all familiar 1 The World Bank (IDA) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Bank Group’s private sector arm To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statements about the World Bank Group’s work in Maldives? Strongly Strongly Don't disagree agree know Overall, the World Bank Group currently plays a B2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  relevant role in development in Maldives The World Bank Group’s work is aligned with what I B3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  consider the development priorities for Maldives B4. Overall, please rate your impression of the effectiveness of these organizations in Maldives. Not effective Very Don't at all effective know 1 The World Bank (IDA) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Bank Group’s private sector arm B5. To what extent does the World Bank Group’s work help to achieve development results in Maldives? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  To no degree at To a very Don't know all significant degree B6. To what extent does the World Bank Group influence the development agenda in Maldives? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  To no degree at To a very Don't know all significant degree B7. To what extent do you believe that the World Bank Group’s work and support help the poorest in Maldives? (Select only ONE response) 1 To a fully sufficient degree 2 To a somewhat sufficient degree 3 To a somewhat insufficient degree 4 To a very insufficient degree 5 Don’t know 85 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives SECTION B: OVERALL ATTITUDES TOWARD THE WORLD BANK GROUP B8. When thinking about the World Bank Group’s role in Maldives, which activity do you VALUE the most? (Choose no more than TWO) 1 Formal policy advice, studies, analyses Informal advice that World Bank Group’s staff provides (e.g., memos, short evidence notes, informal 2 discussions and emails) 3 Global advocacy 4 Financial resources 5 Bringing together different groups of stakeholders 6 Capacity development related to World Bank Group supported projects 7 Technical assistance 8 Data and statistics 9 Promoting knowledge sharing 10 Implementation support 11 Mobilizing third party financial resources 12 Donor coordination 13 Other (please specify): ________________________ B9. Which of the following do you identify as the World Bank Group’s greatest WEAKNESSES in its work in Maldives? (Choose no more than TWO) 1 Not collaborating enough with partners such as bilaterals, multilaterals, trust funds, UN 2 Not aligned with country priorities 3 Not adequately sensitive to political/social realities in Maldives 4 Not collaborating enough with private sector 5 Inadequate level of real-time advice and guidance 6 Inadequate number of innovative knowledge products and services 7 Inadequate number of innovative financial products and services 8 Too influenced by developed countries 9 World Bank Group’s processes too slow and complex 10 Not adequately flexible in changing country circumstances 11 Not sufficiently focused on sustainable results 12 Not collaborating enough with civil society (e.g., NGOs, CBOs) 13 Not enough public disclosure of its work 14 Not willing to honestly criticize policies and reform efforts in the country 15 Staff too inaccessible 16 Arrogant in its approach 17 Inadequate World Bank Group’s staffing in Maldives 18 Other (please specify): __________________________________________________ 19 Don’t know 86 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives SECTION B: OVERALL ATTITUDES TOWARD THE WORLD BANK GROUP B10. When thinking about how the World Bank Group can have the most impact on development results in Maldives, which sectors do you believe the World Bank Group should prioritize with its resources (financial and knowledge services) in Maldives? (Choose no more than THREE) 1 Pollution 17 Disaster risk management 2 Job creation/employment 18 Equality of opportunity (i.e., social inclusion) 3 Health 19 Natural resource management (renewables) 4 Urban development 20 Reduction of national debt Private sector development (including public- Information and communications technology 5 21 private partnerships) (including digital transformation) Public sector governance/reform (i.e., government Non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes, 6 effectiveness, public financial management, public 22 cancer, etc.) expenditure, fiscal system reform) 7 Global pandemics (e.g., COVID-19) 23 Anti-corruption 8 Housing 24 Fisheries Social protection (e.g., pensions, targeted social Gender equity (closing the gap between women 9 25 assistance) and men, and boys and girls) 10 Transport (e.g., roads, bridges, transportation) 26 Agriculture 11 Financial markets 27 Trade and exports 12 Education 28 Crime and violence 13 Global/regional integration 29 Climate change (e.g., mitigation, adaptation) 14 Food security, safety and accessibility 30 Poverty reduction 15 Energy 31 Judicial reform 16 Water and sanitation 32 Economic growth 87 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives SECTION B: OVERALL ATTITUDES TOWARD THE WORLD BANK GROUP B11. The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed many aspects of Maldives’ growth and development. Which areas do you identify as most important for the World Bank Group to focus its efforts and support related to the impact of COVID-19 in Maldives over the next six months to a year? (Choose no more than THREE) 1 Supporting efforts that can help counter misinformation about vaccines 2 Providing direct financial support to businesses (business support packages) 3 Ensuring that girls and women have equal access to health care/health services 4 Providing direct non-financial (e.g., food, healthcare supplies, etc.) support to citizens 5 Housing 6 Digital transformation 7 Education 8 Fair and equal distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine if, and when, a safe one is approved 9 Healthcare 10 Economic growth 11 Poverty and inequality (e.g., strengthening the social safety net, social assistance) 12 Nutrition/food security 13 Public service delivery (e.g., strengthening policies, institutions) 14 Ensuring sustainable business growth and job creation 15 Ensuring that girls and women have equal access to job opportunities 16 Other (please specify): ________________________________________ B12. What do you immediately think of when you hear about the IFC? (Choose no more than THREE) 1 Development institution 8 Impact Investor 2 Investment Bank 9 Venture Capital 3 Asset Manager 10 Innovation and Entrepreneurship 4 Multi-lateral financial institution 11 Public-private partnerships 5 Private Sector Solutions 12 None of these 6 World Bank 13 Do not have enough information to say 7 Financial Advisory Solutions 88 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives SECTION C: WORLD BANK GROUP’S WORK AND ENGAGEMENT ON THE GROUND C1. To what extent do you believe the World Bank Group’s staff is well prepared (e.g., skills mix and knowledge) to help Maldives solve its most complicated development challenges? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  To no degree at To a very Don't know all significant degree C2. To what extent do you believe the World Bank Group is adequately staffed in Maldives? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  To no degree at To a very Don't know all significant degree To what extent is the World Bank Group an effective development partner in Maldives, in terms of each of the following? To no degree To a very significant Don't at all degree know C3 Responsiveness to needs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Flexibility (in terms of the institution’s products and C4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  services) C5 Flexibility (in terms of changing country circumstances) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  C6 Being inclusive 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  C7 Openness (sharing data and other information) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  C8 Collaboration with the Government 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  The speed in which it gets things accomplished on the C9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  ground Helping to bring discipline/effective supervision to C10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  implementation of investment projects C11 Collaboration with civil society 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  C12 Staff accessibility 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Collaboration with other donors and development C13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  partners C14 Collaboration with the private sector 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  C15 Straightforwardness and honesty 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Treating clients and stakeholders in Maldives with C16 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  respect C17 Being a long-term partner 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  89 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives SECTION C: WORLD BANK GROUP’S WORK AND ENGAGEMENT ON THE GROUND To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statements? Strongly Strongly Don't disagree agree know C18 The World Bank Group disburses funds promptly 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  The World Bank Group effectively monitors and C19 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  evaluates the projects and programs it supports The World Bank Group’s approvals and reviews are C20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  done in a timely fashion The World Bank Group’s Environmental and Social C21 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Framework requirements are reasonable The World Bank Group’s conditions on its lending are C22 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  reasonable The World Bank Group takes decisions quickly in C23 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Maldives Working with the World Bank Group increases C24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Maldives’ institutional capacity To what extent do you agree/disagree with the following statements about the World Bank Group in Maldives? Strongly Strongly Don't disagree agree know The World Bank Group’s financial instruments (i.e., C25 investment lending, Development Policy Loan, Trust 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Funds, etc.) meet the needs of Maldives The World Bank Group meets Maldives’ needs for C26 knowledge services (e.g., research, analysis, data, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  technical assistance) C27. The World Bank Group has provided real time advice and guidance to the government and policy makers, built on its COVID-19 “Approach Paper” published soon after the outbreak. Please rate the usefulness of this more informal advice and guidance (e.g., informal discussions, memos, informal working papers) to the Maldives government’s efforts to support citizens throughout this crisis? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Not useful at all Very useful Don't know C28. How important is it for the World Bank Group to focus resources on its global advocacy role, to help promote policies related to its work in areas including climate, health, gender, and debt? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Not important Very important Don't know at all How effectively does the World Bank Group support Maldives’ efforts … ? Not effectively Very Don't at all effectively know To build stronger domestic resource mobilization C29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  systems in the Government (e.g., tax collection) To develop better and stronger data C30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  collection/analytics systems within the Government C31 To strengthen the country’s crisis preparedness 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  90 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives SECTION D: WORLD BANK GROUP’S SUPPORT IN DEVELOPMENT AREAS D1. How EFFECTIVE do you believe the World Bank Group is in terms of the work it does in the following areas of development in Maldives? (If you have NO exposure to/experience in working in any of the sectors listed below, please respond “Don’t know”) Not effective Very Don't at all effective know Social protection (e.g., pensions, targeted social 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  assistance) Gender equity (closing the gap between women and 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  men, and boys and girls) Private sector development (including public-private 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  partnerships) 4 Education 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Public sector governance/reform (i.e., government 5 effectiveness, public financial management, public 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  expenditure, fiscal system reform) 6 Food security, safety and accessibility 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  7 Housing 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  8 Energy 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  9 Water and sanitation 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  10 Job creation/employment 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  11 Health 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  12 Financial markets 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  13 Transport (e.g., roads, bridges, transportation) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  14 Agriculture 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  15 Fisheries 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  16 Natural resource management (renewables) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  17 Climate change (e.g., mitigation, adaptation) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  18 Poverty reduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  19 Economic growth 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  20 Disaster risk management 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  21 Equality of opportunity (i.e., social inclusion) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  22 Non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes, cancer, etc.) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Information and communications technology (including 23 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  digital transformation) 24 Global pandemics (e.g., COVID-19) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  91 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives SECTION D: WORLD BANK GROUP’S SUPPORT IN DEVELOPMENT AREAS D2. The World Bank Group has provided fast track support to Maldives related to the outbreak of COVID-19 since early 2020. Please rate the World Bank Group’s effectiveness when considering this fast track support, if and as it applies to your country, in the following areas: Not effective Very Don't N/A at all effective know 1 Supporting health interventions for saving lives 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10   Education (e.g., transitioning to remote 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10   learning, ensuring access, etc.) Protecting poor people (social assistance/ 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10   social safety nets) Ensuring sustainable business growth and job 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10   creation Strengthening policies, institutions and 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10   investments for rebuilding better Macroeconomic stability and transparent debt 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10   management 92 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives SECTION E: WORLD BANK GROUP’S KNOWLEDGE WORK AND ACTIVITIES (i.e., analysis, studies, research, data, reports, conferences) E1. How frequently do you consult World Bank Group’s knowledge work and activities in the work you do? 1 Weekly 2 Monthly 3 A few times a year 4 Rarely 5 Never In Maldives, to what extent do you believe that the World Bank Group’s knowledge work and activities: To no degree To a very significant Don't at all degree know E2 Are timely 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Include appropriate level of stakeholder involvement E3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  during preparation E4 Lead to practical solutions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Are source of relevant information on global good E5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  practices E6 Are adequately disseminated 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  E7 Are translated enough into local language 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Are adaptable to Maldives’ specific development E8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  challenges and country circumstances E9. Overall, how significant a contribution do you believe the World Bank Group's knowledge work and activities make to development results in your country? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Not significant at all Very significant Don't know E10. Overall, how would you rate the technical quality of the World Bank Group's knowledge work and activities? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10  Very low technical Very high technical Don't know quality quality 93 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives SECTION F: THE FUTURE ROLE OF THE WORLD BANK GROUP IN MALDIVES F1. Which of the following SHOULD the World Bank Group do to make itself of greater value in Maldives? (Choose no more than TWO) 1 Offer more real-time advice and guidance 2 Help to bring discipline/effective supervision to implementation of World Bank Group projects 3 Help leverage additional donor or private sector finance 4 Engage more effectively with partners such as bilaterals, multilaterals, trust funds, UN 5 Offer more innovative financial products and services 6 Ensure greater selectivity in its work 7 Provide more adequate data/knowledge/statistics/figures on Maldives’ economy 8 Engage more effectively with civil society (e.g., NGOs, CBOs) 9 Increase the level of capacity development in the country 10 Engage more directly with beneficiaries 11 Improve the quality of its experts as related to Maldives’ specific challenges 12 Engage more effectively with private sector 13 Offer more innovative knowledge products and services 14 Collaborate more effectively with Government clients (e.g., national, state, local) 15 Work faster 16 Reduce the complexity of obtaining World Bank Group financing 17 Other (please specify): ______________________________________________ F2. In addition to the regular relations with the national government, which TWO of the following groups should the World Bank Group collaborate with more in your country? (Choose no more than TWO) 1 Academia/think tanks/research institutes 7 Beneficiaries 2 Parliament 8 Youth/university groups 3 Foundations 9 Private sector 4 Media 10 Local government 5 Donor community 11 Other (please specify): _____________________ 6 NGOs/Community Based Organizations 12 Don’t know 94 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives SECTION G: COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SHARING G1. How frequently do you interact with the World Bank Group now in Maldives? (Select only ONE response) 1 Never 2 Less than once a year 3 Once a year to a few times a year 4 Less than once a month 5 At least once a month 6 At least once a week G2. How do you get most of your information about economic and social development issues in Maldives? (Choose no more than TWO) 1 Local radio 6 International television 2 International radio 7 Periodicals 3 Local newspapers Social media (e.g., blogs, Facebook, Twitter, 8 4 International newspapers YouTube, Flickr) 5 Local television 9 Other (please specify): ____________________ G3. How would you prefer to receive information from the World Bank Group? (Choose no more than THREE) World Bank Group’s publications and other Direct contact with World Bank Group (i.e., face to 1 5 written materials face meetings/discussions) 2 e-Newsletters 6 World Bank Group’s website World Bank Group’s 7 Webinars or online events hosted by the World Bank 3 seminars/workshops/conferences Group Social media (e.g., blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Interviews and press conferences for the Maldives’ 4 8 YouTube, Flickr) media G4. Which Internet connection do you use primarily when visiting a World Bank Group website? (Select only ONE response) 1 High speed/WiFi 2 Dial-up G5. What do you use primarily when visiting a World Bank Group website? (Select only ONE response) 1 Phone 2 Tablet 3 Computer/laptop 4 I never visit the WBG websites 95 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives SECTION G: COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SHARING G6. Over the past SIX MONTHS, on average how often did you do any of the following related to the World Bank Group (WBG)? Every few Every few Every few Not days weeks months at all Read, viewed or heard a story about the WBG in local media 1     (newspaper, magazine, TV, radio) Read, viewed or heard a story about the WBG in global media 2     (newspaper, magazine, TV, radio) Interacted with the WBG on Social Media (e.g., read a post or 3     tweet, liked, commented, shared, retweeted) 4 Visited a WBG website (e.g., read a blog, used data)     5 Attended an event/conference hosted by the WBG     6 Watched a webinar or online event hosted by the WBG     7 Read some or all of a WBG research paper or publication     8 Met professionally with WBG staff     9 Read a WBG e-newsletter     96 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives SECTION H: BACKGROUND INFORMATION H1. Which of the following best describes your current affiliation? (Select only ONE response) 1 Office of the President 11 Private Sector Organization 2 Parliament 12 Financial Sector/Private Bank Employee of Ministry, Ministerial Department, Private Foundation (e.g., Bill & Melinda Gates 3 13 Implementation Agency Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation) Project Management Unit (PMU) overseeing implementation of WBG project/ 4 14 NGO/Community Based Organization Consultant/Contractor working on WBG supported project/program 5 Local Government Authority or Staff 15 Trade Union Independent Government Institution (i.e., regulatory 6 16 Religious Group agency, central bank/oversight institution) 7 Judicial System (e.g., courts) 17 Youth Group 8 State-Owned Enterprise 18 Academia/Research Institute/Think Tank 9 Bilateral Agency (e.g., embassy, diplomatic, military) 19 Media (press, radio, TV, web, etc.) 10 Multilateral Agency (UN, regional development bank) 20 Other (please specify): _____________________ H2. Please identify the primary specialization of your work. (Select only ONE response) 1 Poverty 13 Agriculture, rural development 2 Macroeconomics, fiscal management 14 Urban development 3 Governance, anti-corruption 15 Transport 4 Education 16 Digital development and technology (ICT) 5 Health, nutrition 17 Tourism 6 Social protection 18 Fragility, conflict, violence, refugees 7 Jobs 19 Demographics, migration 8 Energy 20 Trade and competitiveness 9 Environment, natural resources 21 Finance and markets 10 Climate change 22 Communications, public affairs 11 Water, sanitation 23 Generalist (specialized in multiple sectors) 12 Gender 24 Other (please specify): ____________________ H3. Currently, do you professionally collaborate/work with the World Bank Group (IDA, IFC) in your country? 1 Yes 2 No H4. If yes, which of the following agencies of the World Bank Group do you primarily collaborate/work with in Maldives? (Select only ONE response) 1 The World Bank (IDA) 2 The International Finance Corporation (IFC) 97 World Bank Group Country Opinion Survey 2021: Maldives SECTION H: BACKGROUND INFORMATION H5. Do your projects involve both the World Bank and the IFC? 1 Yes 2 No H6. Which of the following describes most of your exposure to the World Bank Group in Maldives? (Choose no more than TWO) 1 Observer (i.e., follow in media, discuss in informal conversations, etc.) 2 Use World Bank Group reports/data 3 Engage in World Bank Group related/sponsored events/activities 4 Collaborate as part of my professional duties 5 Use World Bank Group website for information, data, research, etc. H7. What’s your gender? 1 Female 2 Male H8. What’s your age? 1 25 and under 2 26-35 3 36-45 4 46-55 5 56 and above H9. Which best represents your geographic location? 1 Greater Male’ Region (Male’ Hulhumale’ Villingili) 2 Addu City 3 Fuvahmulah City 4 Kulhudhuffushi City 5 Other (please specify): ____________________ Thank you for completing the survey! 98