CEF Annual report 2021

90 CEF BUSINESS REPORT 2021
91
In 2021, the CEF hosted two IMF FAD Regional Advisors: Ms. Suzanne Flynn,
covering public financial management (PFM), and Mr. Allan Jensen, covering
revenue administration (RA). Together with two other IMF colleagues, Mr. Bojan
Pogačar (PFM) and Mr. Dmitri Jegorov (RA), based at the Joint Vienna Institute
in Vienna, 1 they facilitate the implementation of an IMF project to support
capacity development (CD) in the areas of PFM and RA in Southeast Europe
(SEE). The recipient countries are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo,
Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
This project is delivered with financial support from the European Union and
the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). 2 A set of delivery milestones
are agreed on for each country in terms of reform progress in the areas
that are addressed by the project. The program’s delivery model involves IMF
Headquarters’ (HQ) led CD missions to the beneficiary countries; regular CD
visits by IMF Regional Advisors; CD support provided remotely; and a considerable
number of CD visits by short-term IMF experts. 3 The table below gives
a broad overview of the program focus areas, key activities, and preliminary
outcomes in 2021.
Despite the Covid-19 travel restrictions, the CD program progressed through
remote online missions, conducted successfully with the cooperation of the
authorities of each country. In addition, short regional webinars were held to
disseminate good practice in light of the pandemic and enable countries to
share their respective experiences. The annual project Steering Committee
meeting was held online in collaboration with the CEF.
The IMF advisors cooperate closely with the CEF on training needs assessments
in the areas of PFM and RA in SEE countries, and the design and delivery
of training and other input to some of the CEF’s learning activities. Coordination
meetings are held with CEF staff every quarter, involving HQ-based
IMF staff.
APPENDIX
IMF Advisors’ Report
1 Due to the COVID-19 situation, the two Vienna based advisers delivered remote CD support
from their home countries.
2 In 2020, SECO provided financial support to RA only; however, from January 2021 PFM was
also supported.
3 Most of the CD activities were delivered remotely using web-based communication tools and
e-mails.