MCC kicked off the annual selection process with the release of its FY2009 candidate country report (pdf). This year, 64 lower income countries (LIC) and 29 lower middle income countries (LMIC) are eligible, compared to 67 and 28 respectively in FY2008. These numbers exclude the 9 LIC countries and the 2 LMIC countries ineligible due to legal prohibitions.Notable changes in the LIC category:• Cuba’s new income data exceeds even the LMIC ceiling (although legal prohibitions would have prevented it from being a candidate regardless)• Kosovo is considered an independent country for the first time• Assistance to Mauritania is prohibited due to the coup; exceptionally notable as it was selected as the only new Threshold-eligible country last year.Notable changes in the LMIC category:• Bosnia and Herzegovina is a candidate for the first time• Georgia and Vanuatu graduate from LIC to LMIC status• GNI per capita in Jamaica, Belarus, and Suriname exceed the ceiling of $3,710 this year, making them no longer eligible for MCA considerationOf overall note, the number of graduations – 2 from LIC to LMIC and 4 countries move out of MCC consideration completely – affects the pool of candidates and the median scores for the annual MCC indicator analysis.The publication of this report is the first of three mandated selection round reports and starts the clock for Round 6, with approximately 90-days for the entire country selection process. This means that the Board will likely convene in early December to approve and announce the slate of FY2009 MCA eligible countries.
