The series consists of outgoing memoranda written by Stern while he served as Vice President of the Bank's South Asia Region (SAR). Some memos are addressed to the World Bank President McNamara and others to senior managers and managers in SAR. The series also includes letters and telexes to the regional missions and government officials in South Asia, notably India and Pakistan. The records address such issues as the formulation of the lending programs for the region or its individual countries, the review of individual projects, operational policies and procedures, cooperation with the Central Projects Staff and the Development Committee, and staffing and budgeting.