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The latest DMFAS project with Lao PDR, which was launched at the end of 2020, ended in June 2022 with the organization of two final activities.
A DMFAS 6 customized training for the MoF functional users and a separate technical training for the database and system administrators were organized in Vientiane in June 2022. During these activities, the end-of-project evaluation was also conducted to assess the project results and outcomes at the MoF, in collaboration with all the project stakeholders.
Successful project implementation in exceptional circumstances
The project started just a few months before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and its implementation was largely affected by the worldwide restrictions. These impacted the MoF’s work and capacities, as well as the way UNCTAD delivered its activities, requiring all stakeholders to adapt to the new circumstances.
DMFAS 6 installation and related training activities are generally field based. In such an exceptional context, all activities under this project were delivered remotely except for the last 2 training activities in June, which took place after travel restrictions to Lao PDR were lifted.
During the course of the project, the timing of activities was also impacted by the reorganization of the debt management functions undertaken by the Lao MoF in 2021, an important step to improve the institutional framework. Functions pertinent to the back and middle-office are now the responsibility of the Public Debt Management Department (PDMD) and front-office functions are mainly conducted by the External Finance Department (EFD). The new structure became official in early 2022.
Despite the challenging circumstances, the Lao MoF transitioned successfully to DMFAS 6 with the support of the DMFAS Progamme, and the staff’s debt management capacities have been strengthened. Dedicated users at PDMD and EFD are currently in the process of completing the recording of debt and non-debt instruments (e.g. on-lending) that were not previously in the DMFAS 5.3 database, which will ensure that the DMFAS 6 database is comprehensive.
The end-project assessment also identified areas for additional support and discussions are ongoing between UNCTAD, the MoF and the donor (World Bank), to strengthen the MoF’s debt recording and debt analysis capacities.
You can consult the articles on the launch of the project in Lao PDR and on the advanced functional training in previous DMFAS newsletters.
Training certificate ceremony in the presence of the PDMD Director General