BD: Economic Management TA Prog. (EMTAP)

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The Economic Management Technical Assistance Program (EMTAP) is an umbrella operation that aims to strengthen institutional capacities in core areas of economic and public management and contribute to better policy management and improved functioning in the public administration and corporate sector. The EMTAP consists of 6 components, most with several subcomponents. Component 1 strengthens Government capacities for better policy formulation and implementation, and improves the functioning of the civil service and public administration. Component 2 modernizes revenue administration: Its 8 sub-components improve the National Board of Revenue's (NBR) organizational arrangements, and human resource management practices, undertake an assessment of the information technology needs of the revenue administration, improving customs valuation and assessment/clearance procedures and techniques of risk assessment, assess weaknesses and capacity development needs in priority areas, such as VAT (value added tax) business processes, strengthens the research and statistics wing of the NBR, strengthen training activities for revenue administration staff, and provide logistical support. Component 3 strengthens accounting and auditing practices in the corporate sector: Its 7 sub-components prepare a Financial Reporting Act and design a Financial Reporting Council, establish and operationalize a Financial Reporting Council as an independent regulatory body; strengthen the capacities of the Institute o f Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh, the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Bank, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Department of Insurance; fund a comprehensive program of education and training; and provide logistical support for sub-project execution. Component 4 improves information and communication technology (ICT) use in the Government. Its 4 sub-components prepare an e-Government strategy and road map/action plan for ICT development, establish an electronic communication network, train Government officials in ICT, and provide logistical support for sub-project management. Component 5 strengthens communication between Government and external stakeholders-with 5 sub-components which establish a Strategic Communications Unit (SCU), strengthen the National Institute of Mass Communications and provide training for Government officials, develop an E-network, enhance communication capacity in some important government offices, and fund additional activities. Component 6 provides logistical and consultancy services for dissemination activities, procurement, and a post audit.