IMF Conference

As part of the IMF continued efforts to enhance our dialogue with parliamentarians, a joint seminar was held in Dar es Salaam with members of the Budget and Finance Committee of the Tanzanian Parliament. The main objective of this seminar was to exchange views with the MPs on IMF work in Tanzania—as well as in low income countries more generally—and to discuss current economic policy challenges facing Tanzania. The seminar was also an opportunity to examine the potential role that the legislative branch could play to influence the budget process. In agreement with the Chairman of the Committee, the seminar was structured around four main topics:

• The role of the Fund in LICs, focusing on how Fund policies and instruments were adapted over time to assist its LIC members and some of the present challenges to remain relevant and responsive to their changing needs. This session was supplemented by a presentation by the Center Coordinator of AFRITAC East on our training and capacity building through the Regional Technical Assistance Centers.
• The history of the Fund’s engagement with Tanzania and the lessons learned;
• Tanzania’s current economic policy objectives and challenges and the role of the Fund’s Policy Support Instrument in addressing them; and
• The budget process in East Africa, with presentations by William Okecho, Chairman of the Budget Committee of the Ugandan Parliament, and two AFRITAC advisors on public financial management.

Twenty one MPs attended the seminar over a two-day period. In addition, a special half day outreach session was held with about 15 local NGOs, CSOs and the media on the same themes.

Seminar for the Finance and Economic Affairs Committee of the Parliament
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, January 22-23, 2008