SEMINAR ON “PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION” CONDUCTED IN GANJA

On July 10, 2013, Economic Research Center held the second seminar on the topic of Public Finance Management and Public Participation in Ganja. Organized in the frame of EU-funded Effective System of Public Finance Control Project, the seminar was attended by mainly 20 young and women participants of leading NGOs, Azerbaijan National Platform and the media from Ganja-Gazakh economic region. Opening the event, Project Director and President of Entrepreneurship Development Foundation Mr. Sabit Baghirov spoke about project objectives and purpose of the seminar. He noted that one of the main functions of the civil society remains control over public finances. Emphasizing the importance of this work for the region, Mr. Baghirov explained its effectiveness by the level of public awareness.
Further Mr. Gubad Ibadoglu, Member of the Board of Directors of Economic Research Center made a presentation on the role of public finance institutions in the budgetary process, and opportunities for public participation in this process by informing participants on public finance and budget system. During his presentation, Mr. Ibadoglu touched upon the essence of public finances, public finance management, budget control entities and their functions, budget and control its implementation forms of public participation and cooperation prospects. Following the presentation, seminar participants shared their views about importance of organizing dialogue between public finance institutions and civil society as well as difficulties encountered in this area. Access to the regional budget-related information regarding the region was mentioned as the most serious challenge. Given this fact, it was decided to collect budget-related information regarding this particular region at the central level and then share it with meeting participants.