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A workshop on Abu Dhabi’s Government Financial System Framework was officially inaugurated yesterday by HE Hamad Al Hurr Al Suwaidi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Finance (DoF) at the St. Regis Hotel - Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. The workshop, titled ‘The Present and Future Outlook’, was attended by members of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council in addition to top-level executives of more than 100 entities and state owned companies.
The event commenced with an opening speech by HE Al Suwaidi, where he highlighted DoF- Abu Dhabi’s commitment in meeting the aspirations and visions adopted by the wise leadership of President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. The initiative’s ultimate aim is to create a secure and advanced investment environment to achieve sustainable development and an open economy that is able to compete internationally and globally. HE went on to emphasise that the cooperation efforts between DoF and the different government entities is an important factor in the implementation of the strategic financial vision of the Abu Dhabi’s government and is a necessary factor that is needed to develop an advanced financial mechanism for the Emirate.
HE AL Suwaidi went on to discuss the positive implications that would result from adopting a unified “Enterprise Resource Planning” system, as it would greatly enhance transparency and efficiency of government financial operations, in addition to effectively contributing to the activation of corporate governance tools within the Abu Dhabi government entities, which will positively reflect on the government’s performance and to the development and growth of the Emirate.
The speech also shed light on a number of important steps which were taken to enhance the government’s financial performance, such as automating the preparation and implementation of Government Budget through “Hyperion”, as well developing mechanisms to present the government’s general budget in accordance with COFOG (Classification of the Functions of Government) as per international practice. Furthermore, the building manpower expenditure database assisted in identifying key performance indicators in develop and analysing budget.
HE Al Suwaidi said: “This financial system framework will ensure unity in the financial strategic direction for Abu Dhabi government entities that fund their operations from the general budget of the government. A common stand should be adopted in terms of the implementation of rules, principles and standard methodology when managing financial resources. We will also focus on the development and application of uniform procurement systems and will develop a Shared Enterprise Resource Planning.
HE added: “We are all aware that the Abu Dhabi Executive Council is working towards sustainable development. Accordingly we are holding this workshop as an interactive platform that lead the implementation of Abu Dhabi Enterprise Resource Planning system, in order to achieve positive results for economic and social development and to materialise the strategic vision of our wise leadership.
HE Mohammed Sultan bin Ghanoum Al Hameli, Director General of DoF focused in his presentation about ADERP and main principals as well the future outlook, and he highlighted DoF’s commitment also to ensure the accuracy of financial analysis. HE added “DoF is committed to developing the financial system framework and its related services, and to prepare all related financial reports, in addition to providing the necessary requirements to implement unified accounting systems for managing government resources.”
HE Al Hameli added: “DoF seeks through this workshop to give authorities and government entities that finance its operations from Abu Dhabi’s general budget comprehensive knowledge on the consolidated ADERP and its modules. This in turn will support the ability of teams to work on the application of this system and to achieve targeted positive results.”
The workshop included a presentation titled ‘Abu Dhabi’s Government’s General Budget: How it works and how to achieve a unified system’, where Abdul Aziz Al Hareb Al Yousef, the Executive Director of Budgeting, explained the essential functions and responsibilities assigned to DoF regarding the preparation of the general budget of Abu Dhabi and subsequent risks that are involved. He also pointed out the essential elements of the general budget and the adopted bases for its preparation, its implementations and the general principles for the control and rationalisation of government spending. In addition, he highlighted the approved timeframe for the draft general budget plan for 2014 and areas of development achieved in this area during 2012 and 2013.
Furthermore, Safwan Obaid bin Safwan, Acting Executive Director of the Government Accounts, discussed the areas of development and modernisation witnessed by the government’s financial system framework. He presented the priorities of different sectors in this regards and the key initiatives and the challenges and risks associated carrying out the tasks entrusted to them. He also explained the structural charts of consolidated accounts and its basic components, accrual basis and the consolidated treasury account.
Abdulaziz Al Zaabi from Government Procurement division, also spoke to the participants on the requirements needed to apply the Procurement Module He highlighted the stages of development witnessed by the Procurement Law No. (6) for the year 2008, its objectives, its application requirements and the presented project for its modification process. In addition, Al Zaabi mentioned the advantages of the procurement system, explaining the methods of implementing procurement and contracting processes, roles and functions of the committees and government entities related to the implementation of these operations, as well as key provisions for electronic purchases.
Before the end of workshop, Dr. Hazem Turkey Al Khatib Director of IT, conducted a comprehensive presentation about the methodology of the ADERP and its main specifications, where he explained the stages of the programme’s development in addition to explaining the future of systems currently used. Dr. Khatib also reviewed the design of the programme, applied systems, governance principles, and the classification system under the programme.
The workshop was concluded with a presentation by Economist Specialist at DoF, Dr. Falah Al Hussein, on methods to allocate the roles and responsibilities between DoF and the rest of government entities using the ADERP system, followed by a Q&A session where presenters responded to all inquiries.
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