ERC holds its next regional seminar on public finance management

On August 18, 2013 Economic Research Center (ERC) held the following seminar in Shaki under the European Union funded Effective System of Public Finance Control Project carried out in partnership with Entrepreneurship Development Foundation (EDF). More than 15 representatives from local civil society and the media attended the seminar organized on the topic of public finance management and public participation. Opening the event, Mr Sabit Bagirov, Project Director and EDF President spoke about project objectives and aim of the seminar. He noted that effective monitoring system of public finance management cannot be ensured without active participation of civil society and the media. He presented best practices from the experience of advanced countries and emphasized the role of civil society in addressing challenges of pfpm-related issues and raising awareness of citizens as well as ensuring access to information.

The meeting was followed by the presentation of Mr Gubad Ibadoglu, Project Expert and Member of ERC Board on the topic of public finance institutions, budgetary process and opportunities for public participation in this process and provided participants with information about government agencies (their functions) responsible for public finance management. During his presentation Mr Ibadoglu touched upon the essence of public finance, its management, budget formulation and forms of public participation and collaboration opportunities in the process of executing its oversight. After the presentation, the participants spoke about difficulties encountered in organizing possible dialogue between public finance institutions and CSOs at the regional level. They noted access to information on budgetary expenditures as the most serious problems in the region. Given relevance of the issue, it was decided to further collect budget related information regarding the region and share them with participants.