The Ministry of Public Works and Transport – in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Finance – conducted training on procurement as well as procedures for preparing strategic planning, budget planning and budget implementation programmes to officials from all municipal and provincial public works departments.

Speaking at the January 6 opening of the two-day programme, public works ministry undersecretary of state Soeung Sokong said the training would help individual departments to prepare their budgets more efficiently. This would increase transparency and accuracy when it comes to their use of state funds.

“The course focuses on the procedures for implementing a budget. This is part of wider reforms of the ministry and the units under it. We are entering the fourth phase of our fiscal management reforms,” he added.

The purpose of the reforms is to increase performance accountability, in line with the government’s expectations of its national development policy 2022-2026.

“Implementing a clear and concise budget programme is essential at every level of our work and will strengthen our effectiveness,” he said.

Sokong urged all participants to apply the lessons learned when they return to their respective units.

“Share what you have learned with your colleagues. These new skills will improve your work performance,” he added.

Public works minister Sun Chanthol said the training would be applied equally to current budgets.

“Strengthening our abilities to draw up strategic and annual budget plans is important if we want to fulfil our obligations to the government and people,” he said.