1. MENA Regional Tax & Financial Management Training Center Ashraf Al Arabi Senior Advisor to the Minister on Tax Policies

2. MENA Regional Tax & Financial Management Training Center Needs and Rationale Most countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are undertaking substantial modernization of various aspects. Most countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are undertaking substantial modernization of various aspects. The quantum of training needs which will be required from governments in the MENA region can be appreciated by comparison with the situation faced by the 10 new member countries of the European Union. The quantum of training needs which will be required from governments in the MENA region can be appreciated by comparison with the situation faced by the 10 new member countries of the European Union. Given the wide disparities in income and in country sizes, a regional institute would allow for economies of size in offerings (diversity, quality) which would not be available to individual small and medium countries. Given the wide disparities in income and in country sizes, a regional institute would allow for economies of size in offerings (diversity, quality) which would not be available to individual small and medium countries.

3. MENA Regional Tax & Financial Management Training Center Needs and Rationale Even for medium sized countries, pooling resources would insure that in the case of highly specialized skills the required training could be carried at fewer costs and/or in a more timely fashion. Even for medium sized countries, pooling resources would insure that in the case of highly specialized skills the required training could be carried at fewer costs and/or in a more timely fashion. Such an institution could focus more narrowly on skills and problems which are of particular relevance to the region. Such an institution could focus more narrowly on skills and problems which are of particular relevance to the region. The existence of such an institution could favour the development of officials' networks in financial management which would facilitate the transmission of techniques, experiences and knowledge within the region. The existence of such an institution could favour the development of officials' networks in financial management which would facilitate the transmission of techniques, experiences and knowledge within the region.

4. MENA Regional Tax & Financial Management Training Center Clientele and Skills The Center's ultimate goal is to help ministries of finance in the Arab world (MOFs) develop well trained highly qualified critical masses capable to carry and spread the swiftly ongoing reforms in their home institutions through vertical development of such staff. The Center's ultimate goal is to help ministries of finance in the Arab world (MOFs) develop well trained highly qualified critical masses capable to carry and spread the swiftly ongoing reforms in their home institutions through vertical development of such staff. At this stage, the Center is envisaged as offering training primarily focused on middle level managers and professionals. At this stage, the Center is envisaged as offering training primarily focused on middle level managers and professionals. To achieve its mission, the Center will provide high quality interrelated set of programs, mostly based on problem solving techniques to help develop such cadre. To achieve its mission, the Center will provide high quality interrelated set of programs, mostly based on problem solving techniques to help develop such cadre.

5. MENA Regional Tax & Financial Management Training Center Programs Would particularly cover specialized areas related to: Would particularly cover specialized areas related to: 1. Direct and indirect taxation. 2. International Taxation. 3. Budget formulation and execution. 4. Cash management. 5. Debt management.

6. MENA Regional Tax & Financial Management Training Center Programs 6. Certified public accountants and auditors. 7. Management of public-private partnership schemes. 8. Other managerial skills. 9. Demand driven courses to help member countries fulfill particular skill development needs.

7. MENA Regional Tax & Financial Management Training Center We believe that the Center will draw on the invaluable technical resources available at other international and regional organizations such as the OECD, IMF, World Bank, Arab Monetary Fund, Joint Vienna Institute, and others, beside assistance from the well recognized domestic institutions available in most OECD countries to develop its programs, curriculums, training trainers, tuition, certification…etc.

8. MENA Regional Tax & Financial Management Training Center Thank you