Public Finance Reform: Minister Sandra Paulemon Calls for Concrete Results and Better Coordination

Public finance reform in Haiti is entering a decisive phase. At the initiative of the Minister of Planning and External Cooperation, Sandra Paulemon, a strategic working session was held this Wednesday with members of the Commission for Public Finance and Economic Governance Reform (CRFP-GE). At the heart of the discussions were the progress of reforms, persistent obstacles, and prospects for improvement in a demanding national context.

For over twenty years, the Haitian State has been engaged in a process of transforming its public finance system. However, as highlighted by the Commission's coordinator, Charles Cadet, the results achieved remain mixed. Despite some structural advances, the reforms are still struggling to produce fully satisfactory effects, particularly in terms of efficiency, transparency, and overall performance.

The discussions allowed for an in-depth examination of the six strategic axes structuring the reform. These include the mobilization of internal resources, a crucial issue for reducing external dependence; the improvement of planning and budgeting systems; the modernization of treasury management and public accounting; the strengthening of local finance governance; the consolidation of control mechanisms and the fight against corruption; as well as the development of the information system for state finances.

Technical officials also provided an update on the ongoing revision of the overall reform strategy, conducted with the support of the European Union. This collaboration aims to adapt tools and methods to the country's current realities, while integrating international standards in economic governance.

In her address, Minister Paulemon emphasized the need to shift from a process-oriented logic to a results-oriented logic. She called for the development of a clear, structured action plan focused on measurable impacts. For the head of the MPCE, it is imperative that the reform produces concrete effects in the lives of citizens and in the functioning of the State.

She also highlighted a major challenge: the lack of coordination among institutions involved in public finance management. According to her, the absence of synchronization and interconnection between different systems constitutes a significant impediment to the effectiveness of public policies. The Minister thus advocated for the establishment of integrated mechanisms promoting the fluid circulation of information, the coherence of interventions, and harmonized governance.

This integrated approach is now seen as an essential condition to ensure the sustainability of the reforms undertaken. Without effective articulation among institutional actors, the efforts made risk remaining fragmented and unproductive.

The meeting concluded with concrete prospects, including the upcoming holding of the first statutory meeting of the Strategic Steering Committee (COPIL), which is called upon to play a key role in guiding and monitoring the reform.