Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KINSHASA320
2009-04-06 06:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
how-toVZCZCXRO0130 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #0320 0960615 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 060615Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9421 INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RUEATRS/DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000320
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
EEB/IFD/OMA FOR JJACOBY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PREL CG
SUBJECT: DRC BUDGET TRANSPARENCY
REF: (A) STATE 28885;
(B) KINSHASA 317
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000320
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
EEB/IFD/OMA FOR JJACOBY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PREL CG
SUBJECT: DRC BUDGET TRANSPARENCY
REF: (A) STATE 28885;
(B) KINSHASA 317
1. (U) The FY09 USG foreign assistance package for the DRC
includes funds that are considered assistance for the central
government under the Foreign Operations, Export Financing and
Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2003 (FOAA-03). Post
therefore provides the following responses to the questions
contained in Ref A.
2. (U) The DRC's budget is available publicly, both in electronic
form on several official government websites and in hard copy.
Revenues and expenditures are detailed in the budget, though the
source of the revenues can be difficult to determine. The budget is
openly debated in Parliament, though delays in confirming a new
government following the September 25, 2008 resignation of former
Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga resulted in the late submission of
the 2009 budget. Parliament did, however, act on the 2009 budget
before the end of the year and in accordance with the Constitution.
(Note: The DRC's fiscal year begins January 1. End note.) The GDRC
continues to report its finances on a monthly basis.
3. (SBU) The DRC's 2009 budget totals $5 billion, up from $3.6
billion approved for 2008. The budget was drafted before the global
financial crisis and subsequent impact on the DRC's economy, and
therefore reflects a number of unrealistic assumptions, including a
significant increase in domestic revenues. The budget was not
revised to reflect new assumptions before the submission to
Parliament. The DRC continues to face a significant economic
downturn, adding to fiscal pressures. The IMF recently identified a
budget gap of $100 million, despite recently approved emergency
assistance (Ref B). The GDRC currently operates its budget on a
cash basis.
4. (SBU) The GDRC continues to work to improve its traditionally
weak public financial management (PFM) with the support of several
donors. In early 2008, the World Bank launched a Governance
Capacity Enhancement Project that supports the establishment of
sound public financial management practices. Strengthening public
financial management has also been a focus of the DRC's
staff-monitored program (SMP) with the IMF, and measures to improve
PFM will be included in a formal IMF program. The IMF has noted
progress by the GDRC in greater adherence to emergency spending
procedures. Emergency spending associated with the continuing
conflict in Eastern DRC had previously been the cause of several
cases of misreporting to the IMF and fiscal slippages under the
DRC's previous IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF).
GARVELINK
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
EEB/IFD/OMA FOR JJACOBY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PREL CG
SUBJECT: DRC BUDGET TRANSPARENCY
REF: (A) STATE 28885;
(B) KINSHASA 317
1. (U) The FY09 USG foreign assistance package for the DRC
includes funds that are considered assistance for the central
government under the Foreign Operations, Export Financing and
Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2003 (FOAA-03). Post
therefore provides the following responses to the questions
contained in Ref A.
2. (U) The DRC's budget is available publicly, both in electronic
form on several official government websites and in hard copy.
Revenues and expenditures are detailed in the budget, though the
source of the revenues can be difficult to determine. The budget is
openly debated in Parliament, though delays in confirming a new
government following the September 25, 2008 resignation of former
Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga resulted in the late submission of
the 2009 budget. Parliament did, however, act on the 2009 budget
before the end of the year and in accordance with the Constitution.
(Note: The DRC's fiscal year begins January 1. End note.) The GDRC
continues to report its finances on a monthly basis.
3. (SBU) The DRC's 2009 budget totals $5 billion, up from $3.6
billion approved for 2008. The budget was drafted before the global
financial crisis and subsequent impact on the DRC's economy, and
therefore reflects a number of unrealistic assumptions, including a
significant increase in domestic revenues. The budget was not
revised to reflect new assumptions before the submission to
Parliament. The DRC continues to face a significant economic
downturn, adding to fiscal pressures. The IMF recently identified a
budget gap of $100 million, despite recently approved emergency
assistance (Ref B). The GDRC currently operates its budget on a
cash basis.
4. (SBU) The GDRC continues to work to improve its traditionally
weak public financial management (PFM) with the support of several
donors. In early 2008, the World Bank launched a Governance
Capacity Enhancement Project that supports the establishment of
sound public financial management practices. Strengthening public
financial management has also been a focus of the DRC's
staff-monitored program (SMP) with the IMF, and measures to improve
PFM will be included in a formal IMF program. The IMF has noted
progress by the GDRC in greater adherence to emergency spending
procedures. Emergency spending associated with the continuing
conflict in Eastern DRC had previously been the cause of several
cases of misreporting to the IMF and fiscal slippages under the
DRC's previous IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF).
GARVELINK