Finance Minister Mohammad Yasser Barhoun met with OECD Secretary-General Matthias Kormann to discuss ways to enhance cooperation and support reform efforts and institutional and human capacity building in Syria, on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank held in Bangkok, Thailand.
Reforming the Tax System
The Ministry of Finance stated on Friday that the meeting addressed ways to support the ministry in reforming and developing the tax system, particularly coordination regarding the implementation of international taxes, and leveraging international expertise and practices to develop tax policies and administration, thereby contributing to enhancing the efficiency of the tax system and supporting effective public financial management.
Enhancing Governance Principles
The two sides discussed areas of cooperation in strengthening governance practices and principles and developing institutional capacities at the level of the Ministry of Finance and relevant government entities, and adopting a clear roadmap for implementing international standards and sound governance principles in the financial sector. The meeting also touched upon opportunities to benefit from the organization's expertise in developing and growing capital markets and preparing a supportive institutional and regulatory environment, thereby contributing to expanding long-term financing instruments.
Supporting Recovery Efforts
Both sides emphasized the importance of continuing dialogue to identify priority areas of cooperation and translate them into practical programs for capacity building and supporting the reform process, and Syria's participation in several technical committees related to the organization, where Kormann expressed the organization's support for recovery efforts in Syria and enhancing its institutional, human, and technical capacities. The Finance Minister had earlier in the day met with a team of senior officials from the Public Financial Management Department of the International Monetary Fund to enhance cooperation and technical support provided to the Ministry of Finance and relevant Syrian government entities, and capacity building in the field of public financial management.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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