Improving public financial management in Cambodia

Since 2005, the Cambodian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) has been implementing a public financial management reform programme to help the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) manage its funds more efficiently. The RGC has adopted a 'Platform Approach': this is a way of implementing a package of measures, with each 'platform' establishing the basis of launching the next.

In 2007 good progress was made on Platform 1 of the Programme (entitled 'Strengthened Budget Credibility'). Stakeholders also agreed that 2007 would be the year where RGC would aim to finalise outstanding Phase 1 issues and commence planning for Platform 2 (entitled 'Effective Financial Accountability'). Crown Agents assisted the RGC and Cambodia's development partners assess the suitability of the Platform 2 Action Plan to ensure its successful implementation.

Our team reviewed the programme outputs, performance indicators and targets, proposals for institutional development and capacity building, and the proposed budget plans. Crown Agents liaised with the RGC and development partners to ensure that the action plan fitted with the MEF's vision and that donor programmes were not duplicating government efforts. We worked closely with the RGC, recommending improvements for implementing Platform 2, to ensure that the RGC had the capacity to continue to lead with Platform 2 and to equip them with the knowledge for reviewing subsequent platforms.