Jordan Economic Observatory Discusses the Results of the Public Sector Governance Taskforce Report

29 Jan 2014   AMMAN --- January 29, 2014 ---- Jordan Economic Observatory held a session at the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Knowledge Forum to discuss the results of the Public Sector Governance taskforce.
 
The session was held in the attendance of the taskforce’s head and members in addition to members of the Economic Policy Development Forum (EPDF) and specialized experts in this field. The session was moderated by Their Excellencies Dr. Mohammad Abu Hammour, Ms. Reem Badran and Mr. Adnan Abul Ragheb.
 
Mr. Fadi Al Daoud, who heads the Public Sector Governance taskforce, presented a thorough report of the current situation. The report included the concept, relating terms and objectives of public sector governance highlighting as well previous studies in this field, in addition to governance standards and indicators.
 
The discussion of the current status of governance in Jordan was summarized and a number of suggestions and recommendations were made to enhance the governance of the public sector. These are:
 
• Create a government directory for the public sector and apply the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), and to establish internal audit units at the government institutions and ensure their independence.
 
• Enhance and support external audit carried out by the Audit Bureau and underline its tasks in working in cooperation with the independent internal audit units. And to activate the law issued by the Ministry of Finance relating to the internal control units as part of the administrative operations and define their tasks that are different from those of the internal audit units.
 
• Develop and improve the role and understanding of risk management in the framework of projects undertaken by government institutions. Likewise, developing the role of control and evaluation on performance based on primary performance indicators for all operational objectives.
 
• Develop and publish a compulsory code of ethics and conduct of public service; define the punishment for any sort of violations by the employees; promote the moral culture at the work place.
 
• Conduct regular surveys of citizens’ confidence in the performance of the public sector, hold training courses for head administrators, policy makes, employees and the public on the principles of governance.
 
• Encompass governance in the daily operations of the institutions and their practices. This includes for example, how complaints are submitted, the method for reporting ethics violations, and the establishment of a structure and instructions which lead to the documentation of regulations, and define rights and responsibilities in a clear methodological framework.
 
• Review the efficiency of policies, projects and measures which support governance including the Audit Bureau, the General Budget Department, etc.
 
• Support legislative reforms and increase efficiency of the legislative, judicial and inspection entities and bridge the gap between legal texts and implementation, and activate the right to access to information law.
 
• Enhance culture of tax disclosure, clarity of processes, and carrying out tax legislation with fairness; increase the efficiency of the department in charge of tax collection, and promote the role of the Constitutional Court.
 
• Supervise the performance of government projects and agreements through a clear methodology for follow up and assessment. Enhance the capacity of employees working in the control on administrative and financial operations, as well as those working in internal audit.
 
• Support the corporate framework, the strategic plan, and the local capacity with the goal of increasing the effectiveness of public sector institutions.
 
The Public Sector Governance taskforce consists of: Mr. Fadi Al Daoud, head of the taskforce; and the membership of Dr. Arwa Al Muthafar, Ms. Muna Talfah and Mr. Mohammad Hammash.
 
It’s worth mentioning that the Jordanian Economic Observatory is one of the Economic Policy Development Forum initiatives and it works in a continuous institutional manner. Furthermore, it is an unbiased and independent entity which monitors government’s performance with a professional, transparent and open manner and while cooperating with all parties. It also features experts whose goal is to study the economic policies on the basis of clear and set criteria.
 
The Observatory also aims to prepare reports for developing Jordanian economic policies for both public and private sectors, providing economic consulting services which envelope preparing specialized research, providing economic advice and guidance in both private and public sectors, evaluating costs, benefits ,economic influence studies and general policies analysis including tax matters and financing governmental programs as well as providing advice regarding development strategies, cash and financial matters management, industrial analysis, evaluating economic competitiveness and reviewing the public sector’s performance.
 
For more information: www.epdforum.org