Narrative description of Project:

The Asian Development Bank's 'Strengthening Public Financial Management and Devolved Service Delivery Program' targets Sudurpaschim Province, the smallest among the supported provinces, aiming to address its challenges in budget formulation and fiscal policy expertise. With a budget utilization rate of 65.3% in FY2023, the province seeks technical support to enhance budget credibility, manage public investments effectively, and establish medium-term expenditure frameworks. Working closely with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Policy and Planning Commission, the consultant will play a pivotal role in fortifying Sudurpaschim's fiscal resilience and advancing its developmental goals.

Description of actual services provided in the assignment:

• Review annual budget documents of previous years and identify programs and policies that generated positive results to promote evidence-based budget formulation and enhance credibility of budget forecasts.
• Identify areas where virement rates are high and determine allocative and delivery efficiency of annual budgets.
• Identify new areas with revenue-generating potential, and broaden the revenue base.
• Revise tax and non-tax rates based on evidence, and align revenue with spending. v.Ensure budgetary programs are aligned with periodic plans and medium-term expenditure framework, and confirm budgetary provisions are climate- and gender-responsive.
• Provide guidance to employees and representatives engaged in the budget formulation process, whenever needed.
• Review federal and provincial laws and regulations to confirm budgetary programs proposed by ministries and people's representatives are in line with legal provisions.
• Provide quick response to queries related to budget formulation.

Approx. value of the contract (in current NRs; US$ or Euro): USD 40,780

Duration of assignment (months): 5

Total No. of person-months of the assignment: 5

Name of Experts:

Mr. Baburam Subedi