New DAC data on development cooperation

The 27th November released DAC data on development cooperation in 2007 feature a mixed picture of the Italian development cooperation, highlighting some improvements in aid quality and allocation from the 2006 ones, tough still insufficient to attain the EU average. 2007 data show that last year the Italian aid benefited from a strategic reorientation. Yet, limited financial allocations remain the main obstacle for any credible re-alignment to the EU average.

Positive elements are:

- “Genuine aid” increased by 48% ;
- “Genuine aid” to Sub-Saharan Africa increased by 40%;
- “Genuine aid” to Least developed countries increased by 10%;
- Tied aid net debt decreased by 10%;
- Administrative costs were reduced by 25%;
- Bilateral aid to basic and social services doubled.

Unfortunately there are negative features, mainly related to quality:
- Italian aid stands at 0.19% GNI while the EU average is at 0.39%;
- Italian aid is decreasing by 2.6% from 2006;
- Share of aid to Sub-Saharan Africa is at 19% from 52% to the advantage of north Africa;
- Italia tied aid share is the third highest among OECD donors, after Greece and Portugal;
- Share of Italian bilateral aid to basic and social services is 1% while EU average stands at around 11%.