A new project to reform financial management in Syria with the support of the World Bank.

In a new step towards reforming public financial administration in Syria, Deputy Head of the Central Financial Control Agency, Wissam Mansour, discussed with a delegation from the World Bank ways of technical and technological cooperation, and establishing a comprehensive framework for a reform project aimed at enhancing control systems and transparency. This took place during a meeting held at the agency's headquarters in Damascus, where Mansour expressed appreciation for the supportive role played by the World Bank in the institutional reform process, emphasizing the importance of building modern control systems capable of keeping pace with the rapid challenges in the public administration environment. Mansour pointed out that the agency, as an independent body responsible for monitoring the financial performance of public entities, plays a pivotal role in ensuring financial integrity, optimal use of public resources, through preparing control reports that contribute to improving institutional work efficiency and promoting transparency and accountability concepts. Addressing the challenges, Mansour highlighted the limited digital infrastructure and lack of specialized competencies, but stressed that these obstacles did not deter the agency from carrying out its tasks; rather, they motivated it to continue developing control tools, thanks to the continuous efforts of its staff. On their part, members of the World Bank delegation expressed great appreciation for the agency's role in safeguarding public funds, confirming their readiness to provide all necessary technical and technological support, especially in digital transformation, capacity building, and developing financial control tools in line with the best international standards. Discussions during the meeting focused on outlining a common vision for the framework of the public financial administration reform project, including improving government spending efficiency and enhancing transparency in financial procedures. At the end of the meeting, both parties emphasized the need to continue close coordination and communication, with the aim of crystallizing clear implementation steps for this project, and opening broader horizons for future cooperation that serves the efforts to develop public financial administration in Syria.