USAID to help Moroccan Audit Court promote transparency

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) signed, in Rabat Thursday, a memo of understanding (MoU) with the Audit Court of Morocco to improve its performance and transparency at all levels.

The US agency will provide technical assistance to the Audit Court, with a particular emphasis on regional courts.

Under the accord, the USAID will train judges on issues of public finance and will organize seminars for local officials and administrators on the principles of transparent financial management and reporting.

Besides, it will support the publication, dissemination and public discussion of audit reports, and will assist in the establishment of improved mechanisms for interacting with other government bodies at the national and sub-national levels.

The court publishes annually a public report that is submitted to king Mohammed VI. It includes the overall activities of the Audit Court and proposals for a better management of public funds.

The MoU was signed by first president of the Audit Court, Ahmed El Midaoui, US ambassador to Morocco, Thomas Riley, and visiting US Comptroller General David Walker (March 23-29).

Following the signing ceremony, Walker highlighted at a roundtable the American experience in public funds management, giving an overview on the evolving role of Supreme Audit Institutions.

On his part, El Midaoui underscored the reforms instituted in the Audit Court aiming to improve its performance and efficiency.

The goal, he explained, is to define and develop the modalities of public control, reinforce the State's credibility as well as ethics and transparency in public management.

Members of parliament, representatives of the private sector, the civil society and USAID took part in the roundtable that focused on the current tendencies in auditing and control.