MINISTRY OF FINANCE CONCLUDES A THREE DAYS’ BUDGET PREPARATION WORKSHOP WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF MDAs

Saturday, 10^th August 2024- Juba

Department of Communication and Media- MoFP

The Directorate of Budget and Revenue Policy in the Ministry of Finance and Planning organized a three-days’ workshop on budget planning and budget preparation process targeting accounting officers and representatives of MDAs (Ministries, Departments and Agencies).

The workshop, which started on Thursday 8^th August 2024 and ended on Saturday 10^th August 2024 presented the draft Fiscal Year 2024/2025 budget ceiling passed by the cabinet to the MDAs for their review and costing input before its presented to the Parliament for deliberation, approval and possible Presidential assent.

In his key note address in closing the workshop, the Minister of Finance and Planning, Hon. Dr. Marial Dongrin Ater told the accounting officers and representatives of MDAs that, ‘the budget ceiling presented to you, approved by the Council of Ministers on August 2, 20204, aligned with the Directives of His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit, under the theme: “to accelerate economic recovery through improving livelihoods, sustaining peace, and investing in social services and agriculture.”

Minister Dongrin urged the representatives of MDAs to complete the Budget Costing Tool within five days and submit the documents to the Ministry of Finance and Planning to expedite the process of tabling the budget to parliament.

The Minister also called for a strict budget discipline and adhere to the approved budget, ensure consistency with payment of salaries of public service employees, ensure investment in critical social services such as disaster response and recovery as well as investment in agriculture, improved credit worthiness to pay back the debts and obligations to international institutions to enhance the country’s ability to secure loans.

On his part the World Bank Country Manager, Chalres Undeland assured his institution’s commitment to support South Sudan in strengthening its institutions by providing the necessary technical and financial assistance where necessary.

The Undersecretary of Planning in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Benjamin Ayali Koyongwa commended the attendance by the representatives of MDAs and their effective contribution in shaping the desired goals of the workshop. He acknowledged the delays in submission of this years’ budget, but stressed the Ministry’s commitment to complete the budget preparation process and deliver the FY 2024/2025 in the shortest time possible.

The Director General of Budget in the Ministry of Finance, Arop Nuoi recapped the presentations made in the last three days from different institutions including, Ministry of Public Service, Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority, Public Financial Management Secretariat and Ministry of Finance and planning on Budget preparation process, macroeconomic overview and budget preparation tool.