Ohrid, 25th October 2011 – Development of internal financial control has always been one of the priority policies in the public administration reform, resulting in many positive changes and results we have today, Deputy Minister of Finance Nedim Ramizi stated in his opening speech at the 13th PEM PAL plenary conference covering the topic "Development and implementation of internal audit in the public sector".

– In the recent years, we have introduced the internal audit as a new profession in the public sector. Today, there are 125 internal audit units, employing 116 internal auditors. We have commenced the establishment of Financial Affair Units and the preparation of written working procedures. We have introduced strategic planning and we have appointed persons notifying of irregularities and suspicion of fraud or corruption in most of the public sector entities. Training for internal auditors and persons responsible for financial management and control is carried out on regular basis – Ramizi pointed out.

Ramizi also stressed that Financial Management and Control Committee and Audit Committee have been established within the Ministry of Finance and that the Strategy on Public Administration Reform envisages improvement of the budget system.

– Transparent and efficient usage of public funds is the only way to stable economic growth, increase of prosperity and quality of life, as well as job creation for all our citizens – Deputy Minister of Finance Nedim Ramizi concluded at the conference dedicated on internal audit in the public sector, being held in the period 25th- 28th October in Ohrid under the auspices of the World Bank.