39
SADC Payment System SADC Payment System World Bank Report World Bank Report Dave C Mitchell Dave C Mitchell Annual Regional Conference Annual Regional Conference Centurion, South Africa Centurion, South Africa September 2006 September 2006

SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

  • Upload
    lyphuc

  • View
    241

  • Download
    0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System SADC Payment System ––World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Dave C MitchellDave C MitchellAnnual Regional ConferenceAnnual Regional Conference

Centurion, South AfricaCenturion, South AfricaSeptember 2006September 2006

Page 2: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

Southern African Development Community (SADC)Southern African Development Southern African Development Community (SADC)Community (SADC)

M a d a g a s c ar

Page 3: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

The project was launched in 1996 to :The project was launched in 1996 to :

Assist individual SADC countries to define a Assist individual SADC countries to define a domestic payment strategy and a domestic payment strategy and a development plan; anddevelopment plan; andDefine a coDefine a co--ordinated regional approach to ordinated regional approach to crosscross--border payment, taking into border payment, taking into consideration the implications for trade, consideration the implications for trade, central bank policy, foreign exchange central bank policy, foreign exchange positions and control.positions and control.

Page 4: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Project VisionProject Vision

Each SADC country has :Each SADC country has :–– An efficient and effective payment systemAn efficient and effective payment system

•• Internationally acceptableInternationally acceptable•• Interlinked within the regionInterlinked within the region•• Supporting the SADC aims of :Supporting the SADC aims of :

–– Free tradeFree trade

Page 5: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Reason for the reportReason for the report

Report to the SADC Committee of Central Report to the SADC Committee of Central Bank Governors (CCBG) on the full status of Bank Governors (CCBG) on the full status of the project since its inception.the project since its inception.Highlight the impact of World Bank Highlight the impact of World Bank assistance in the development of the assistance in the development of the regional payment systems.regional payment systems.Highlight challenges and opportunities for Highlight challenges and opportunities for further development of payment systems in further development of payment systems in the region.the region.

Page 6: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Structure of the reportStructure of the report

Historical background of the SADC Payment Historical background of the SADC Payment System Project.System Project.The strategic process of modernisation of The strategic process of modernisation of regional payment systems.regional payment systems.Projects (within the project) undertaken Projects (within the project) undertaken since 1996.since 1996.Peer review or selfPeer review or self--assessment using the assessment using the FSAP Guidance Note.FSAP Guidance Note.Capacity building issues that have been Capacity building issues that have been identified and that need attention.identified and that need attention.

Page 7: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

The Payment System Project StructureThe Payment System Project StructureThe Payment System Project StructureCommittee ofCentral BankGovernors

SteeringGroup

CoreTeam

InternationalOrganisations

CountryRepresentatives

andcountry teamsBIS

IMF World Bank

MozambiqueSouthAfrica

Swaziland

Tanzania

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Lesotho

Madagascar

DRC

Angola

Botswana

Malawi

Mauritius

Namibia

Page 8: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Comment on Seychelles, DRC and Comment on Seychelles, DRC and MadagascarMadagascar

–– SeychellesSeychelles–– DRCDRC

•• Sensitisation Workshop Sensitisation Workshop –– March 2005March 2005–– MadagascarMadagascar

•• CCBG Secretariat Introductory CCBG Secretariat Introductory WorkshopWorkshop

Page 9: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Different approaches to ModernisationDifferent approaches to Modernisation

–– Pure strategic approachPure strategic approach–– ModelModel--based approachbased approach–– Operational approachOperational approach

Page 10: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Strategic ProcessStrategic Process

–– Project launchProject launch–– SensitisationSensitisation–– Information gathering and stocktakingInformation gathering and stocktaking–– Vision and strategy formulationVision and strategy formulation–– Conceptual designConceptual design–– Business process specificationBusiness process specification–– Technical specificationTechnical specification–– ProcurementProcurement–– DevelopmentDevelopment–– ImplementationImplementation

Page 11: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Project LaunchProject Launch

–– Involve all key stakeInvolve all key stake--holdersholders–– Appoint the champion Appoint the champion –– project leaderproject leader–– Analyse budgetary requirementsAnalyse budgetary requirements–– Ensure top management support Ensure top management support ––

governor levelgovernor level

Page 12: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Sensitisation / OrientationSensitisation / Orientation

–– Raise awareness about payment system Raise awareness about payment system issuesissues

–– Common understanding and terminologyCommon understanding and terminology–– Identify challenges and opportunitiesIdentify challenges and opportunities–– Achieve buyAchieve buy--in by key stakeholdersin by key stakeholders

Page 13: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Information Gathering / StocktakingInformation Gathering / Stocktaking

–– ObjectiveObjective•• Analyse the current NPSAnalyse the current NPS•• Prepare a report detailing the current Prepare a report detailing the current

situationsituation•• Identify issues and user needs, Identify issues and user needs,

strengths and weaknessesstrengths and weaknesses•• Make preliminary suggestion on the Make preliminary suggestion on the

way forwardway forward

Page 14: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Vision and Strategy FormulationVision and Strategy Formulation

VisionVision–– Desired long term characteristics of the Desired long term characteristics of the

new NPSnew NPSFundamental principlesFundamental principles–– Principles guiding the development, Principles guiding the development,

deployment and management of NPSdeployment and management of NPSCritical success factorsCritical success factors–– Yardstick against which success will be Yardstick against which success will be

measuredmeasuredStrategiesStrategies–– Aligning the current system with the Aligning the current system with the

desired NPSdesired NPS

Page 15: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Conceptual DesignConceptual Design

–– High level design of business processes High level design of business processes and support mechanismand support mechanism•• The payment processThe payment process•• The clearing processThe clearing process•• The settlement processThe settlement process•• Roles and responsibilities of various Roles and responsibilities of various

playersplayers

Page 16: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Technical SpecificationTechnical Specification

–– Hardware and software requirementsHardware and software requirements–– Instrument and message standardsInstrument and message standards–– System availabilitySystem availability–– Security featuresSecurity features

Page 17: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Procurement, Development & Procurement, Development & ImplementationImplementation

–– RFP and biddingRFP and bidding–– Analysis and selection of biddersAnalysis and selection of bidders–– Time, cost and strategic requirementsTime, cost and strategic requirements–– ImplementationImplementation

Page 18: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Modernisation

IMPLEMENTATIONLAUNCH SENSITISATION INFO & STOCKTAKING

VISION & STRATEGY

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

BUS. PROC SPECS

TECHNICAL SPECS

DEVELOP/PROCURE IMPLEMENTATION

ANGOLA

BOTSWANA

LESOTHO

MADAGASCAR

MALAWI

MAURITIUS

SWAZILAND

ZAMBIA

DRC

MOZAMBIQUE

NAMIBIA

SOUTH AFRICA

TANZANIA

ZIMBABWE

Page 19: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Projects undertaken under the funding of the Projects undertaken under the funding of the first World Bank IDF Grantfirst World Bank IDF Grant

–– The Green BookThe Green Book–– Sensitisation workshops and annual Sensitisation workshops and annual

regional conferencesregional conferences–– Other workshopsOther workshops

•• SADC/BIS 1998SADC/BIS 1998•• HarmonisationHarmonisation

–– Focus groupsFocus groups

Page 20: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Projects undertaken under the funding of the Projects undertaken under the funding of the first World Bank IDF Grant (cont.)first World Bank IDF Grant (cont.)

–– Training workshops and coursesTraining workshops and courses•• ClearingClearing•• Payment System PrinciplesPayment System Principles•• Strategic ManagementStrategic Management•• Business AnalysisBusiness Analysis

Page 21: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Projects undertaken under the funding of the Projects undertaken under the funding of the first World Bank IDF Grant (cont.)first World Bank IDF Grant (cont.)

–– Profiling initiative (psychometric analysis)Profiling initiative (psychometric analysis)–– Video projectVideo project–– NewsletterNewsletter–– The SADC Central Bankers WebsiteThe SADC Central Bankers Website–– SADC Guide to Developing a Strategic SADC Guide to Developing a Strategic

Framework for Payment System Framework for Payment System Modernisation (The Guide)Modernisation (The Guide)

Page 22: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Details of Expenditure Details of Expenditure -- Summary Summary –– First Grant : Period 1997 First Grant : Period 1997 to 2002to 2002–– Workshops and conferencesWorkshops and conferences–– Training Workshops and capacityTraining Workshops and capacity

buildingbuilding–– Country Leaders' meetingsCountry Leaders' meetings–– SADC Newsletter SADC Newsletter –– VulindlelaVulindlela–– Guide to Developing Payment SystemGuide to Developing Payment System

DevelopmentDevelopment–– Profiling/ Psychometric testingProfiling/ Psychometric testing–– Video ProjectVideo Project–– IT Forum and Harmonisation InitiativesIT Forum and Harmonisation Initiatives

incl. ESAFincl. ESAF–– Sensitisation workshopsSensitisation workshops–– Total Total USD 500,000.00USD 500,000.00

Page 23: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

SelfSelf--funding funding –– The SADCThe SADC--suitable RTGS suitable RTGS ProjectProject

–– 2000 2000 –– Vision and Strategy completionVision and Strategy completion–– RTGS the common threadRTGS the common thread–– Project launched to determine common Project launched to determine common

business and systems requirementsbusiness and systems requirements–– Economies of scale, capacity building Economies of scale, capacity building

and negotiating powerand negotiating power–– 2 vendors recommended to CCBG2 vendors recommended to CCBG–– Cost US$42 857,00Cost US$42 857,00

Page 24: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Projects under the funding of the Second World Projects under the funding of the Second World Bank IDF GrantBank IDF Grant

–– SADC CrossSADC Cross--border settlement model border settlement model initiativesinitiatives•• CrossCross--border Model Workshop border Model Workshop –– July 2004July 2004

–– Focus on PrinciplesFocus on Principles•• CrossCross--border Model Workshop border Model Workshop –– June 2005June 2005

–– Focus on ModelsFocus on Models•• Presentation to CCBG in September 2005Presentation to CCBG in September 2005

Page 25: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Correspondent BankingSADC Correspondent BankingSADC Correspondent Banking

Country A Country B

Commercial Bank

Central Bank

Page 26: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

Single US correspondentSingle US correspondentSingle US correspondent

In the books of a US

commercial bank

American Bank

A/c A A/c B

Central Clearing (USD)Central Control Facility

(CCF)

Net Settlements

(Daily)

USD

USD

Page 27: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

Multiple currencyMultiple currencyMultiple currency

ForexTransactions

Domestic Transactions

Foreign RTGS

SAMOSDomestic Transactions

CLS

ForexTransactions

Local Bank

Foreign Bank

Payments

Payments

Trade Details

Trade Details

Settlement

Settlement

Page 28: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

Macro economic converganceMacro economic Macro economic converganceconvergance

SADCCentralBank

Page 29: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

A proposed modelA proposed modelA proposed model

Bank 2

FX Trade Information and Settlement Instructions Update DNS DNS

Database

DNS Database

Update DNS

Central Bank Botswana

Central Bank Zambia

FX Trade Information

FX Trade Information and Settlement Instructions

Bank 1

Central Control Facility

FX Trade and SettlementInformation

FX Trade and SettlementInformation

Page 30: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Supporting workshops and seminars held during Supporting workshops and seminars held during the Second World Bank IDF Grantthe Second World Bank IDF Grant

–– Country LeadersCountry Leaders’’ Meeting & Workshop Meeting & Workshop –– May May 20032003

–– Annual Regional Conference Annual Regional Conference –– Sept. 2003Sept. 2003–– Annual Regional Conference Annual Regional Conference –– Sept. 2004Sept. 2004–– CPSS/SADC Conference CPSS/SADC Conference –– February 2005February 2005–– DRC Sensitisation Workshop DRC Sensitisation Workshop –– March 2005March 2005–– FSAP Preparatory Workshop FSAP Preparatory Workshop –– October 2005October 2005–– Self Assessment (FSAP) Workshop Self Assessment (FSAP) Workshop –– March March

20062006

Page 31: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

International contributionsInternational contributions

–– BIS CPSIPSBIS CPSIPS–– General Guidance for National Payment General Guidance for National Payment

System DevelopmentSystem Development

Page 32: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

Details of Expenditure Details of Expenditure -- Summary Summary –– Grant No. 2 Grant No. 2 : Period 2003 to 2006: Period 2003 to 2006

Workshops, meetings and ConferencesWorkshops, meetings and Conferences–– Country leaders' meeting (June 2003)Country leaders' meeting (June 2003)–– Annual Regional Conference (2003)Annual Regional Conference (2003)–– CrossCross--border workshop border workshop –– Annual Regional Conferences Annual Regional Conferences –– CPSS/ SADC conferenceCPSS/ SADC conference–– DRC Sensitisation workshop DRC Sensitisation workshop --20052005–– CrossCross--border settlement model border settlement model –– FSAP Workshops FSAP Workshops –– SubSub--Total Total –– Video Project Video Project -- maintenance maintenance –– SADC Newsletter SADC Newsletter –– Consultants Consultants –– Grand Total Grand Total USD 416,500.00USD 416,500.00

Page 33: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

FSAP Self AssessmentFSAP Self Assessment

–– In August 2005 Country Leaders agreed In August 2005 Country Leaders agreed on importance for regionon importance for region

–– Would allow evaluation in terms of Would allow evaluation in terms of CPSIPSCPSIPS

–– Would show progress made and Would show progress made and compliance to World Bankcompliance to World Bank

–– Finalised at workshop in March 2006Finalised at workshop in March 2006

Page 34: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

Systemically Important Payment Systems (SIPS)Systemically Important Payment Systemically Important Payment Systems (SIPS)Systems (SIPS)

Country RTGS ECH / Cheques

Angola X

Botswana X

Lesotho X

Madagascar - -

Malawi X

Mauritius X

DRC - -

Mozambique X

Namibia X

South Africa X

Swaziland X

Tanzania X

Zambia X

Zimbabwe X

Page 35: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

Core Principles for SIPSCore Principles for SIPSCore Principles for SIPS

Core Core PrinciplePrinciple

ObservedObserved Broadly Broadly ObservedObserved

Partly Partly ObservedObserved

Non Non ObservedObserved

Not Not ApplicableApplicable

CP 1CP 1 66 33 33 00 22CP 2CP 2 88 33 11 00 22CP 3CP 3 77 55 00 00 22CP 4CP 4 88 33 11 00 22CP 5CP 5 22 22 22 00 66CP 6CP 6 1212 00 00 00 22CP 7CP 7 55 77 00 00 22CP 8CP 8 77 44 11 00 22CP 9CP 9 66 55 11 00 22CP 10CP 10 99 33 00 00 22

Page 36: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

Central Bank ResponsibilitiesCentral Bank ResponsibilitiesCentral Bank Responsibilities

Central Central Bank Bank

ResponsibResponsibilitiesilities

ObservedObserved Broadly Broadly ObservedObserved

Partly Partly ObservedObserved

Non Non ObservedObserved

Not Not ApplicableApplicable

CBR ACBR A 1111 11 00 00 22CBR BCBR B 44 77 11 00 22CBR CCBR C 44 44 22 00 44CBR DCBR D 1212 00 00 00 22

Page 37: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

The Way Forward and issues outstanding in The Way Forward and issues outstanding in the SADC Regionthe SADC Region

–– RegionalRegional•• OversightOversight•• RemittancesRemittances•• Securities systemsSecurities systems•• Capacity buildingCapacity building•• Updated statisticsUpdated statistics

Page 38: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

The Way Forward and issues outstanding in The Way Forward and issues outstanding in the SADC Region (cont.)the SADC Region (cont.)

–– Individual projectsIndividual projects•• Capacity building and assistance to Capacity building and assistance to

DRC and MadagascarDRC and Madagascar–– FundingFunding

•• Funding from external sourcesFunding from external sources•• Self fundingSelf funding

Page 39: SADC Payment System – World Bank Report · SADC Payment System – World Bank Report ... – SADC Cross-border settlement model initiatives ... Payments Payments Trade Details

SADC Payment System – World Bank ReportSADC Payment System SADC Payment System –– World Bank ReportWorld Bank Report

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements