SENEGAL'S BUDGET IS ADEQUATELY TRANSPARENT

UNCLAS DAKAR 000411 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EEB/IFD/OMA: JJACOBY; AF/W, AF/EPS TREASURY FOR AFRICA DESK, OASIA/E.BARBER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID EFIN ECON PREL SG SUBJECT: SENEGAL'S BUDGET IS ADEQUATELY TRANSPARENT REF: STATE 28885 In response to request for clarification of host country's efforts to make its national budget publicly available, as per Section 7088(c) of the 2009 SFOAA, post provides the following information keyed to reftel's specific questions: ¶A. Yes, Senegal's central government is expected to receive some forms of assistance that would qualify it for consideration under Section 70889(c); ¶B. Yes, Senegal's annual budget is, in broad terms, publically available. The government's proposed budget is presented by the Minister of Finance to the National Assembly's Finance Committee for review. Afterwards the budget is sent to the full National Assembly for public debate, including the questioning relevant Ministers, and for approval. The approved budget is quickly made available to members of Parliament, ministries, and others. Journalists, development partners, civil society groups, and others can obtain a copy of the budget through their government contacts. After some months, the budget is posted on the Ministry of Finance's website; ¶C. Yes, projected income and expenditures are included in the draft budget. However, there can be significant delays in providing revised and actual figures. The National Assembly is required by law to approve a revised budget should the government not meet its spending or revenue targets. BERNICAT