The Lebanese Ministry of Finance and the International Monetary Fund organized on May 18-19, 2004 in Beirut a two-day conference on fiscal reforms in the Arab countries and the Near East. The conference was attended by Finance Ministers and other policy makers from 17 countries as well as by high-level representatives of regional and international organizations including the World Bank and the Arab Monetary Fund, as well as UNDP and the Islamic Development Bank.
The conference allowed the participants to engage in a dialogue on common fiscal policy challenges, reform experiences and implementation issues. The aim of this conference was to explore key issues in fiscal policy reforms and enhance policy coordination within the region and with international institutions.
The two-day conference, which included keynote lectures highlighting common challenges, country presentations, and open discussions, was useful in identifying reform priorities and impediments. Participants discussed ongoing and proposed tax reforms, such as tariff reforms and the adoption and reform of VAT; improvements in the tax and customs administration; redefining the role and boundaries of the State and reviewing expenditure policies; reforming the budget and expenditure management process in a well-sequenced manner; the scope for performance budgeting; improving fiscal transparency; and ensuring debt sustainability based on a sound debt management framework.(menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
