In cooperation with the General Budget Department, the USAID-funded Jordan Fiscal Reform Project organized a workshop on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 to discuss the key findings and recommendations of the latest public expenditures review.

In his opening remarks, the Director General of the Budget Department stressed that this review aims mainly at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of government spending and ensure optimal utilization of available resources. Dr. Hazaimeh also noted that the study is in line with GBD’s vision for a transparent budget that reinforces the pillars of sustainable development through advanced resource allocation methods that enable ministries and government departments to achieve their goals and national priorities.

“Public expenditure reviews help measure progress across sectors and identify obstacles that stand in the way of achieving targets, thereby helping address weaknesses and capitalize on opportunities to improve performance and direct spending towards enhancing welfare and meeting citizens’ needs more efficiently,” Hazaimeh added.

Dr.Hazaimeh also thanked everyone who took part in the review and workshop, and also thanked the USAID-funded Fiscal Reform Project for their efforts in advancing fiscal reform in Jordan.

On the other hand, the chief of party of the USAID/ Fiscal Reform Project noted that the project had cooperated with the General Budget Department in 2011 to conduct the first PEP review, which covered the health, education, water, transport and social development sectors. He added that the review relies on a participatory approach and that discussions are key to strengthening its findings and recommendations.

Attended by GBD staff as well as representatives of other ministries and government departments, the workshop examined public expenditures in the education, water, health and electricity sectors and presented recommendations for enhancing the efficiency of spending.