site.btaBulgarian Government Administration, World Bank Sign Reimbursable Advisory Service Agreement

Bulgarian Government Administration, World Bank Sign Reimbursable Advisory Service Agreement

Sofia, May 2 (BTA) - Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister for EU Funds Malina Kroumova and World Bank Country Manager for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia Tony Thompson signed a reimbursable advisory service agreement between the Council of Ministers Administration and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) here on Tuesday, the Government Information Service said.

The document implements the Memorandum of Understanding on partnership and support in the implementation of the European Structural and Investment Funds in Bulgaria for 2014-2020 period, which Bulgaria and the IBRD signed on September 1, 2015.

Under the two-year agreement, the World Bank will help Bulgaria set up an organizational model for the introduction of the shared services model in the country. This implies consolidating business operations or processes under one roof and making those services available to other agencies to share the expense, so that the government can focus more on its priorities and save money. Shared services are to be provided in the field of document management systems, human resources, financial management and accounting, and information technologies.

With the World Bank's support, the selected model of shared services will be piloted in at least two centralized units or structures. The Bank will also develop a methodological framework, a communication programme and a mechanism of change management and will come up with ideas for baseline indicators and performance evaluation mechanisms.

The World Bank will review at least five international good practices and existing models of organizing general administrative activities, such as shared services units in other EU Member States. While project implementation is in progress, the model will be monitored and its impact will be assessed, with a view to its subsequent implementation in other administrative structures as well, the press release says.

"Bulgaria has a well-established cohort of state administration with strong technical experts on many levels. More streamlined efforts in strengthening human resources, accounting and IT management on central level would allow the government to focus its efforts in the implementation of the policy agenda, while modernizing the administration and realizing certain savings", said Thompson, quoted on the World Bank website. He added that "modernization has become a critical path for governments seeking to improve their services to citizens, enhance government operations, and strengthen cybersecurity".

Under the agreement, which needs parliamentary ratification to take effect, the World Bank will prepare government property management assessment providing ideas how to improve management of 115 government-owned facilities. The analytical work undertaken by the World Bank will be the property of the Bulgarian government.