Workshop on Public Debt Transparency: Compilation, Reporting and Monitoring

BACKGROUND

Governments require comprehensive, reliable and up-to-date public debt information to enhance transparency and accountability, inform policy decisions and strategy formulation, and to keep stakeholders abreast of debt developments. Public debt transparency enhances responsible borrowing and lending, and ensures that government remains accountable to its stakeholders. Specifically, the availability and timeliness of public debt information allows governments and stakeholders to accurately track the evolution of a country’s debt situation and to effectively monitor and manage debt-related risks and vulnerabilities, thus informing the government’s future borrowing decisions and policies. Transparency also allows lenders to accurately assess a government’s debt position, borrowing or debt carrying capacity, and creditworthiness before extending new and/or additional credit. Despite the numerous benefits of public debt transparency, several countries within the MEFMI region have not been meeting sound reporting requirements in terms of coverage and timeliness. This is attributed to capacity deficiencies, owing to lack of trained officials, partly attributed to the high staff turnover in client institutions. Recognising the importance of debt transparency, MEFMI has prioritised capacity building in debt transparency during the implementation of its Phase VI Strategic Plan. To support member countries, enhance transparency, MEFMI will offer a course on Public Debt Transparency: Compilation, Reporting and Monitoring to strengthen participants’ knowledge on the basics of debt data compilation methods, reporting standards, and debt monitoring mechanisms.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this course are:

1. To strengthen participants’ knowledge of the basics of debt compilation, reporting, and monitoring;

2. To raise awareness on the importance of debt transparency; and

3. To provide a platform for participants to share and learn from experiences and good practices of peer countries

CONTENT

The workshop will cover the following topics:

1. Overview of debt management information systems in debt recording and reporting;

2. Importance of debt data transparency;

3. The role of the back office in debt management;

4. Understanding debt coverage;

5. Debt portfolio analysis;

6. Basics of debt reporting- bulletins, debt reports; and

7. Monitoring government debt- roles and responsibilities.

TARGET GROUP

This course targets public debt management officials responsible for debt recording and reporting in central banks and ministries of finance.