Compliance of standards in selected projects: ADB mission holding talks with govt officials

ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) mission on Pak hybrid financial management country consultation is reportedly holding deliberations with the authorities.

The mission comprises of Oksana Nazmieva, Principal Financial Management Specialist, Central West Regional Department, Office of Director General, Portfolio Group (virtual); mission members included Ashima Bali, Financial Management Specialist, Portfolio, Procurement and Financial Management Department (virtual); Musaddiq Shaikh, Financial Management Officer, Pakistan Resident Mission (in person) Jerreli Roque, Project Analyst, Central West Regional Department, Office of Director General, Portfolio Group.

The Mission aims to: (i) review the progress of financial management compliance of selected projects under implementation in Pakistan; (ii) hold a technical discussion with Auditor General of Pakistan on ADB’s financial management policies and guidelines; (iii) review and address outstanding financial management issues of selected projects; and (iv) assess training needs of project implementation units and finance staff of executing /implementing agencies and propose capacity building programs to familiarise with ADB’s policies, guidelines and requirements.

The mission met with officials of Jamshoro Power Generation Project, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Road Improvement Project in addition to authorities dealing with emergency assistance for fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

The mission will also hold meetings with World Bank on overall project financial management of Pakistan projects, financial sustainability, lessons learnt and international best practices.

The mission’s findings, recommendations, and agreed next steps will be documented in the Aide Memoire and shared at the completion of the mission.

The mission will also hold technical discussion with the Auditor General of Pakistan.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022