As part of the Annual National Policy Dialogue 2010 the Government of Tanzania met with 14 Development Partners (DPs) that provide General Budget Support 6 - 8 December in Dar es Salaam. The meeting was also attended by Parliamentarians, representatives for the private sector and Civil Society Organizations.
The discussions focused on results, monitored under a Performance Assessment Framework, and discussions about five key issues namely: Accelerating pro-poor growth, business environment, opportunities and challenges regarding equity and efficiency in public service delivery, the budget and financial management at Central and Local Government Authorities. Furthermore there was a session on the Government’s effort to fight corruption.
–General Budget Support is increasingly under scrutiny as an aid modality to support development. North and South, citizens and governments are demanding results and improved accountability. In this environment, we need to continually demonstrate that GBS works, that it works more effectively than alternative aid modalities and that strong and increased levels of transparency and accountability are in place, said minister counselor at the Embassy of Norway and Chair of the GBS Group of Development Partners in Tanzania, Svein Bæra, in the opening statement.
Forerunner
Tanzania is one of the forerunners in the use of General Budget Support in Africa. Based on the implementation of comprehensive reforms and a strong economic transition from the mid 1990s to date, Tanzania has earned a reputation as a country where harmonized and streamlined aid modalities building on national plans, systems and institutions, are effective.
In 2010/11 General Budget Support makes up 6.4% of the national budget and amounts to more than 530 million USD. It continues to be the Government’s preferred aid modality because of its predictability and low transaction cost.
Challenges
The debates did however reveal that both the people of Tanzania and the development partners are eager to see more results.
–Acknowledging problems and challenges is the first step towards finding solutions, said Bæra, after three days of sincere discussions.
He argued in the closing statement that the dialogue had been valuable because it would help all partners for development in Tanzania to move towards a common goal: To reduce poverty and enhance economic growth.
Read more about General Budget Support here.