Workshop Held for Mozambique Ministry of Finance

Public Expenditure and Financial Management (PEFM) is an essential part of the
development process. Sound PEFM supports aggregate control, prioritization, accountability
and efficiency in the management of public resources and delivery of services, which are
critical to the achievement of public policy objectives, including achievement of the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, sound public financial management
systems are fundamental to the appropriate use and effectiveness of donor assistance since
aid is increasingly provided through modalities that rely on well-functioning systems for
budget development, execution and control.
The Macroeconomic Management Programme conducted an advanced two weeks incountry
workshop on PEFM for the Ministry of Finance of Mozambique on 15-26 July 2019 in
Maputo. The objective of the workshop was to extend knowledge of participants on the
comprehensive understanding of PEFM systems, to impart knowledge on how to improve
fiscal performance to achieve benefits of fiscal transparency, fiscal reporting and
management of fiscal risks and shocks, as well as analysis of the budget cycle, and its main
components. The workshop combined international best practices and regional country
experiences to explore various policy and legal frameworks which are of importance for the
prioritization and sequencing of PEFM reforms, as well as the roles of institutions.
The PEFM training enhanced participants’ knowledge of the PEFM principles. The training
also improved participants’ skills on how to achieve fiscal performance and better fiscal
transparency, fiscal reporting, and management of fiscal risks. It assisted participants to
understand PEFM and improved their knowledge on macro fiscal analysis.
The objectives of the training course were achieved, aided by the excellent administrative and
logistical arrangements. At the end of the workshop, participants had a common
understanding of public expenditure and financial management, macro-fiscal analysis, as well
as a wider and better view not only of their own sector in the Ministry of Finance, but most
importantly, of the entire economy. The Ministry is expected to be able to improve the
quality of medium-term fiscal framework scenarios and policies, as well as to discuss and
analyse impacts of policies with a broader view of the economy.
Much of the resource material used was based on the MEFMI Public Expenditure and
Financial Management Handbook, which provides an overview of the issues and techniques
in effective PEFM systems. The handbook provides useful information on the experiences
and approaches to the implementation of PEFM, and is a useful reference document for
practitioners responsible for most aspects of PEFM, including those responsible for
strengthening PEFM systems and implementing reforms in the MEFMI region.