Publication:
Public Financial Management Reform in the Middle East and North Africa : An Overview of Regional Experience

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Files in English
English PDF (5.25 MB)
2,238 downloads
English Text (696.34 KB)
541 downloads
Date
2012
ISSN
Published
2012
Author(s)
Editor(s)
Abstract
One of the most important functions that governments perform is mobilizing financial resources and deploying them to achieve their objectives. According to the most recent World Bank data, governments throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region spent approximately US$407 billion dollars in 2007 in delivering their policy, regulatory and service functions. This report is divided into two volumes. The first volume summarizes the results and presents the conclusions of this analysis. The second provides the individual economy case studies and templates upon which many of these conclusions are based. This report seeks to reflect upon this experience and better understand the nature of the Public Financial Management (PFM) challenges confronting the economies of the MENA region. Turning to the substance of these reforms, it asks where are they performing well and where are they struggling? To what extent are these economies dealing with common problems stemming from similar administrative traditions and comparable levels of development, or unique challenges grounded within their own particular historical or bureaucratic experience? The analysis also seeks to understand the type of PFM reforms that have been implemented across the region in the last decade, including where these reforms have gone well, where they have not, and why.
Link to Data Set
Citation
Ahern, Mark; Beschel, Robert P. Jr.. 2012. Public Financial Management Reform in the Middle East and North Africa : An Overview of Regional Experience. World Bank Studies. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/9368 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.
Associated URLs
Associated content
Report Series
Other publications in this report series
Journal
Journal Volume
Journal Issue

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Publication
    Public Financial Management Reform in the Middle East and North Africa : An Overview of Regional Experience - Overview and Summary
    (World Bank, 2010-06-01) World Bank
    This report surveys the experience of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries on the topic of public financial management reform. Drawing upon a variety of sources, including Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) assessments, country financial accountability assessments, public expenditure reviews, and other documents and reports, and augmented as necessary by interviews with leading reformers, the report seeks to address several major questions. How do MENA countries compare with other comparable countries at similar levels of development with regard to their Public Financial Management (PFM) systems and practices? What has been the substantive content and thrust of PFM reforms in MENA over the last decade? Where have these reforms done well, and where have they struggled? What were the key ingredients for success or failure? And are there lessons in how these reforms were implemented that will be of value to other countries and the donor community?
  • Publication
    Public Financial Management Reform in the Middle East and North Africa : An Overview of Regional Experience - Individual Country Cases
    (World Bank, 2010-06-01) World Bank
    This report surveys the experience of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries on the topic of public financial management reform. Drawing upon a variety of sources, including Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) assessments, country financial accountability assessments, public expenditure reviews, and other documents and reports, and augmented as necessary by interviews with leading reformers, the report seeks to address several major questions. How do MENA countries compare with other comparable countries at similar levels of development with regard to their Public Financial Management (PFM) systems and practices? What has been the substantive content and thrust of PFM reforms in MENA over the last decade? Where have these reforms done well, and where have they struggled? What were the key ingredients for success or failure? And are there lessons in how these reforms were implemented that will be of value to other countries and the donor community?
  • Publication
    Planning Public Financial Management Reforms in Pacific Island Countries : Guidance Note
    (Washington, DC, 2013-01) World Bank
    This note provides guidance on planning, prioritizing, and accessing appropriate capacity for Public Financial Management (PFM) reform in Pacific Island Countries (PICs). It is intended for use by government officials, donor agencies, and consultants. It complements, and is consistent with, extensive previous work carried out by the Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Center (PFTAC) and joint efforts by the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) Secretariat, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and European Commission. Recommendations are based on a review of the literature and experiences of PFM reform in the region to date, with a focus on issues that are of particular relevance in PICs. Author start point that creative approaches are sometimes needed to PFM reform in Pacific Countries because of the extent and duration of capacity constraints. Authors have two key messages. Firstly, PFM capacity should be prioritized to areas that matter most in achieving development outcomes, and reforms should be intended to address specific, identified, problems, rather than to achieve blueprint 'good practice' standards. Secondly, with small numbers of staff and high staff turnover limiting potential for sustainable gains from standard capacity building solutions, broader options for meeting capacity gaps should be considered, including accessing ongoing support for specialized tasks or even the wholesale 'outsourcing' of certain functions.
  • Publication
    Pakistan - Balochistan Province : Public Financial Management and Accountability Assessment
    (Washington, DC, 2007-05) World Bank
    This document reports on a Public Financial Management and Accountability Assessment (PFMAA) for the province of Balochistan. The study was commissioned jointly by the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the UK Department for International Development (DfID), and the European Commission (EC). The Government of Balochistan welcomed the initiative of the World Bank, ADB, DFID and EC in carrying out the PFM assessment. The provincial Finance Department is also working on framing new financial rules in order to streamline utilization of funds while ensuring transparency in financial management.. The PFMAA was conducted against 31 Public Financial Management (PFM) performance measurement indicators in accordance with the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) framework.
  • Publication
    Pakistan - Punjab Province : Public Financial Management and Accountability Assessment
    (Washington, DC, 2007-05) World Bank
    This document reports on a Public Financial Management and Accountability Assessment (PFMAA) for the province of Punjab. The study was commissioned jointly by the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the UK Department for International Development (DfID), and the European Commission (EC). The Government of Punjab (GoPj) managed the process through a Steering Committee chaired by the Finance Secretary. This summary assessment uses the indicator-led analysis to provide an integrated assessment of the Punjab Province's PFM system against the six core dimensions of PFM performance and provides a statement of the likely impact of those weaknesses on budgetary outcomes, on aggregate fiscal discipline, and on the strategic allocation of resources and efficient service delivery. The PFMAA was conducted against 31 Public Financial Management (PFM) performance measurement indicators in accordance with the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) framework.

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

  • Publication
    The Journey Ahead
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-10-31) Bossavie, Laurent; Garrote Sánchez, Daniel; Makovec, Mattia
    The Journey Ahead: Supporting Successful Migration in Europe and Central Asia provides an in-depth analysis of international migration in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) and the implications for policy making. By identifying challenges and opportunities associated with migration in the region, it aims to inform a more nuanced, evidencebased debate on the costs and benefits of cross-border mobility. Using data-driven insights and new analysis, the report shows that migration has been an engine of prosperity and has helped address some of ECA’s demographic and socioeconomic disparities. Yet, migration’s full economic potential remains untapped. The report identifies multiple barriers keeping migration from achieving its full potential. Crucially, it argues that policies in both origin and destination countries can help maximize the development impacts of migration and effectively manage the economic, social, and political costs. Drawing from a wide range of literature, country experiences, and novel analysis, The Journey Ahead presents actionable policy options to enhance the benefits of migration for destination and origin countries and migrants themselves. Some measures can be taken unilaterally by countries, whereas others require close bilateral or regional coordination. The recommendations are tailored to different types of migration— forced displacement as well as high-skilled and low-skilled economic migration—and from the perspectives of both sending and receiving countries. This report serves as a comprehensive resource for governments, development partners, and other stakeholders throughout Europe and Central Asia, where the richness and diversity of migration experiences provide valuable insights for policy makers in other regions of the world.
  • Publication
    World Development Report 2006
    (Washington, DC, 2005) World Bank
    This year’s Word Development Report (WDR), the twenty-eighth, looks at the role of equity in the development process. It defines equity in terms of two basic principles. The first is equal opportunities: that a person’s chances in life should be determined by his or her talents and efforts, rather than by pre-determined circumstances such as race, gender, social or family background. The second principle is the avoidance of extreme deprivation in outcomes, particularly in health, education and consumption levels. This principle thus includes the objective of poverty reduction. The report’s main message is that, in the long run, the pursuit of equity and the pursuit of economic prosperity are complementary. In addition to detailed chapters exploring these and related issues, the Report contains selected data from the World Development Indicators 2005‹an appendix of economic and social data for over 200 countries. This Report offers practical insights for policymakers, executives, scholars, and all those with an interest in economic development.
  • Publication
    Argentina Country Climate and Development Report
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2022-11) World Bank Group
    The Argentina Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) explores opportunities and identifies trade-offs for aligning Argentina’s growth and poverty reduction policies with its commitments on, and its ability to withstand, climate change. It assesses how the country can: reduce its vulnerability to climate shocks through targeted public and private investments and adequation of social protection. The report also shows how Argentina can seize the benefits of a global decarbonization path to sustain a more robust economic growth through further development of Argentina’s potential for renewable energy, energy efficiency actions, the lithium value chain, as well as climate-smart agriculture (and land use) options. Given Argentina’s context, this CCDR focuses on win-win policies and investments, which have large co-benefits or can contribute to raising the country’s growth while helping to adapt the economy, also considering how human capital actions can accompany a just transition.
  • Publication
    Lebanon Economic Monitor, Fall 2022
    (Washington, DC, 2022-11) World Bank
    The economy continues to contract, albeit at a somewhat slower pace. Public finances improved in 2021, but only because spending collapsed faster than revenue generation. Testament to the continued atrophy of Lebanon’s economy, the Lebanese Pound continues to depreciate sharply. The sharp deterioration in the currency continues to drive surging inflation, in triple digits since July 2020, impacting the poor and vulnerable the most. An unprecedented institutional vacuum will likely further delay any agreement on crisis resolution and much needed reforms; this includes prior actions as part of the April 2022 International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff-level agreement (SLA). Divergent views among key stakeholders on how to distribute the financial losses remains the main bottleneck for reaching an agreement on a comprehensive reform agenda. Lebanon needs to urgently adopt a domestic, equitable, and comprehensive solution that is predicated on: (i) addressing upfront the balance sheet impairments, (ii) restoring liquidity, and (iii) adhering to sound global practices of bail-in solutions based on a hierarchy of creditors (starting with banks’ shareholders) that protects small depositors.
  • Publication
    Classroom Assessment to Support Foundational Literacy
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-03-21) Luna-Bazaldua, Diego; Levin, Victoria; Liberman, Julia; Gala, Priyal Mukesh
    This document focuses primarily on how classroom assessment activities can measure students’ literacy skills as they progress along a learning trajectory towards reading fluently and with comprehension by the end of primary school grades. The document addresses considerations regarding the design and implementation of early grade reading classroom assessment, provides examples of assessment activities from a variety of countries and contexts, and discusses the importance of incorporating classroom assessment practices into teacher training and professional development opportunities for teachers. The structure of the document is as follows. The first section presents definitions and addresses basic questions on classroom assessment. Section 2 covers the intersection between assessment and early grade reading by discussing how learning assessment can measure early grade reading skills following the reading learning trajectory. Section 3 compares some of the most common early grade literacy assessment tools with respect to the early grade reading skills and developmental phases. Section 4 of the document addresses teacher training considerations in developing, scoring, and using early grade reading assessment. Additional issues in assessing reading skills in the classroom and using assessment results to improve teaching and learning are reviewed in section 5. Throughout the document, country cases are presented to demonstrate how assessment activities can be implemented in the classroom in different contexts.