PDP provided the services of an Organisational Structure and Management Systems Design Specialist to impart expert advice on the organisational structure and management system design of the new National Revenue Agency (NRA). The creation of the NRA, which integrated the functions of the General Tax Directorate (GTD) and the collection function of the National Social Security Institute (NSSI), is central to the Bulgarian Government’s revenue administration modernisation program.

The consultant was responsible for transformation of the institution/entity, creating the management structure, building executive and managerial capacity, developing related management information systems including customisation, and strengthening the integrity of the NRA. Organisational development was focused on:

• development of an adequate organisational design to implement the NRA
• design of a management system for the NRA covering all levels of the agency, including accountability, monitoring, internal controls and corruption management.

A management information system (MIS) was deployed throughout the NRA. This component also provided management and technical training to staff to raise the level of agency professionalism and integrity.

PDP formulated the overall Regional Development Strategy (RDS) for the Tumen River area, with specific responsibility for environmental, trade, industry, investment and natural resource sectors. The RDS incorporated an Environment Management Plan which provided a number of measures to ensure that the resources of the area (including mineral, agricultural and marine resources as well as its human resources) were able to provide benefits over the longer term.

PDP was engaged to evaluate the progress of the first phase of the TRADP, a multi-national regional program designed to accelerate trade, investment and socio-economic development in a region located in the heart of North East Asia. PDP was subsequently commissioned to implement it’s recommendations including re-focussing of the program through a strategic planning process and preparation of an overall Regional Development Strategy together with sectoral strategies for transport, industry, telecommunications and tourism. PDP was also engaged to carry out phase two, establishing the TRADP Secretariat in Beijing and continuing support for sectoral and regional planning.

PDP was tasked with the preparation of an accounting manual to be applied by the financial services of all Kosovo Consolidated Budget (KCB) spending entities. Our team undertook analysis of accounting processes for all types of expenditures, revenues, cash management and grants as well as identifying gaps in the KFMIS user guides and procedures. The team also provided training for building capacities of Treasury Department staff and key staff in line ministries on all aspects of the developed accounting manual.

The overall objective of the assignment was to enhance the reliability of the financial reporting of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government’s (PISG), with a particular focus on institutionalising and harmonising accounting practices across the PISG and UNMIK administration in accordance with Cash Basis International Public Sector Accounting Standards.

PDP provided advisory assistance in public expenditure management to assist the Government of Latvia in the design and implementation of new components of ongoing PEM reforms. Component I involved the preparation of processes and systems for improving the macroeconomic and fiscal policy framework, strategic priority setting and budget planning. Component II involved the preparation of PEM and institutional/functional reviews for line agencies, focussing on strategic priority setting and resource allocation within a consistent medium term framework, performance based budget planning and budget integration. In addition, work focused on assisting the Ministry of Finance in preparing the Guidelines for Macroeconomic Development and Fiscal Policy 2002 to 2006.

PDP prepared policy papers on the implications for policy making of a medium term fiscal framework and the process changes required at the centre of government and the adjustments required to complete the process of budgetary reform. An assessment of PEM reforms and the quality of macro and fiscal forecasts was completed. An action plan was prepared for incorporating a MTEF, use of forward estimates and performance based budgeting and use of budget monitoring indicators to establish spending priorities. Assistance was provided in the preparation of a fiscal policy statement. A key task was developing a methodology for public expenditure reviews and ensuring broad participation and ownership in the Ministry of Justice, Agriculture and Finance through working groups and key counterparts. PDP consultants ensured the readiness of working groups to sustain the work through training, information sharing and sensitisation to public expenditure management issues.

PDP provided assistance to the Moldova Customs Service (MCS) for the introduction, organisation and implementation of selectivity based control and management of transit operations. In particular the team provided assistance to:

• revise customs legislation, ensuring that all necessary provisions of application of the legislation were in place
• review the organisation structure to ensure the availability of qualified and trained staff and to establish clear roles, responsibilities and levels of authority for customs personnel
• review and improve transit control procedures and operations
• define methodology to develop yearly control and management of transit operations strategic plan
• draft a transit operations risk guideline, listing practical risk identification, and train trainers on risk assessment, targeting and selectivity criteria methodology
• encourage efficient utilisation of automation (ASYCUDA World) for management of the transit control and financial guarantees.