of banks be reduced in order to provide a more economical and more competitive environment for all transactions. UNDP intends to decrease the number of banks used for investment accountsI (f) The current investment and currency management guidelines require, $-a that investments placed with individual banks be restricted to a limit of $US 25 &lion (or equivalent currency), However, a significant increase in the UNDP budget has taken place since the guidelines were issued in 1985. *% therefore recommended raising the ceiling accordingly in order to concentrate and rationalise the financial activities of UNDP and improve the environment for its transactions. The Administration assured us that the final version of the new guidelines would incorporate a significant increase in the authorized level of funds to be placed with creditworthy banks; (g) According to the current guidelines, short-term maturities must be sufficient to cover a minimum of three months’ operational requirements. Since major donor countries have stabilized the terms for paying their contributions and the disbursement profile has remained about the same in the past five years, UNDP is able to calculate revenue and expenses very accurately. With respect to this development and the excess of regularly paid contributions over disbursements in the same local currency, the guidelines curtail management flexibility more than is considered necessary. We therefore recommended that the guidelines be revised so as to make it thr responsibility of the Treasury to judge the appropriateness of the term8 of maturity. UNDP agreed to this proposal, and the draft guidelines allow for more flexibility, as suggested1 (h) An overview of the month-end availability and utilfzation of currencies for the period from January to October 1989 revealed call account balances (United States dollars and United States-dollar equivalents) from $US 70.2 million to -38- $US 152.2 million, averaging at $US 107.1 million. The anticipated expenditure for 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing financial management and budgeting strategies for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The focus is on optimizing financial activities, reducing costs, and improving management flexibility. The text mentions investment accounts, currency management, and the budget, suggesting a strong connection to economic development and financial management.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade