Palau Public Utilities Corporation Reform Program 

Early engagement with stakeholders and design of subsidy programs responsive to the needs of vulnerable groups could expedite the implementation of complex policy reforms. The success of this program highlights the importance of the government's continuing commitment in improving the performance and sustainability of the Palau Public Utilities Corporation. Nevertheless, early engagement with the program stakeholders and the design of subsidy programs to respond to the needs of vulnerable groups, indigenous people, and women, were necessary to expedite the complex policy actions under the program. The government and other stakeholders were new to policy-based loans and the preparation and approval of reform actions under subprogram 1 took longer than anticipated. Under subprogram 2, the Ministry of Finance initiated advance policy dialogue and reinforced coordination with stakeholders, which resulted in the endorsement of subprogram 2 faster than subprogram 1.