Open Budget Survey Serbia

Transcription

1 Open Budget Survey 2015 Section 1. Public Availability of Budget Docs. Section One: The Availability of Budget Documents contains a series of four tables that allow the researcher to examine and map the public availability and dissemination of its country s key budget documents (i.e., Pre-Budget Statement, Executive s Budget Proposal (EBP) and Supporting EBP Documents, Citizens Budget, Enacted Budget, In-Year Reports, Mid-Year Review, Year-End Report, and Audit Report), as well as any national laws regulating budget processes and financial management. Once filled in, these tables will serve as a foundation for the completion of the rest of the questionnaire, as researchers will reference the specific documents cited in the tables to answer the questions contained in Sections 2-5 of the questionnaire. Table 1. Key Budget Documents BUDGET DOCUMENT Full Title Fiscal Year the Budget Document Refers to Date of Publication Pre-Budget Statement N/A N/A N/A Executive's Budget Proposal (EBP) Draft Budget Law for 2014/Predlog Zakona o budzetu Republike Srbije za godinu 2014 vember 1, 2013

2 Supporting EBP Document Explanatory note of Draft Budget Law for 2014//Obrazlozenje Predloga zakona o budzetu Republike Srbije za godinu 2014 vember 1, 2013 Supporting EBP Document Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and 2016/Fiskalna strategiija za godinu sa projekcijama za i vember 1, 2013 Supporting EBP Document Explanatory note of Financial Plan of Republic Health Insurance Fund for 2014/Obrazlozenje nansijskog plana Republickog fonda za zdravstveno osiguranje 2014 vember 1, 2013 Enacted Budget Budget Law for 2014/Zakon o budzetskom 2014 December 13, 2013 Citizens Budget (for EBP or Enacted Budget) N/A N/A N/A monthly (June 2014), Public Finances last one prepared for In-Year Report Bulletin/ Bilten javnih 2014 March 2014 and nansija published on June 7, 2014 quarterly (April 2014), Additional in-year report Review of Macroeconomic and Fiscal Trend (quarterly) 2014 last one prepared for third quarter and published on May 5, 2014 Additional in-year report N/A N/A N/A Mid-Year Review t produced t produced t produced Draft Law on Balance Sheet of the Budget for

3 Year-End Report 2012/Predlog Zakona o zavrsnom racunu budzeta Republike Srbije za godinu 2012 December 21, 2013 Audit Report Report on Audit of Balance Sheet of the Budget for 2012/Izvestaj o reviziji zavrsnog racuna budzeta Republike Srbije za godinu 2012 December 25, 2013 Sources: Pre - Budget Statement - t produced Executive's Budget proposal - Supporting EBP Docs Enacted Budget - In-Year Report - Additional In-Year Report - id=6843 Mid-Year Review - hard copy only, but doesn't satisfy basic standards (missing macro-economic forecast) and is therefore not considered at all Year-End Report - Audit Report - Comments: Pre-Budget Statement - Although, Pre-Budget Statement for should be adopted by the Government on 15th June 2014 in compliance with the Budget System Law, we were informed by the Ministry of Finances, that due to parliamentary elections held in mid March, and establishment of new Government on 27th April drafting of Strategy is delayed to second quarter of Citizens Budget - not produced at all Mid-year Review - hard copy only, but doesn't satisfy basic standards (missing macro-economic forecast) and is therefore not considered at all Year-end Report - due to elections for the national Parliament held in March 2014, Year-end report for 2012 is still in the form of Draft and hasn't been adopted by the Parliament yet, however Draft is available on-line Opinion:, I agree with the score but wish to add a comment, clarification, or suggest another reference. Comments: If you by Pre budget statement mean on Guidelines for the Preparation of Annual Plan and Budget we have document and Ministry of Finance produce it each year. This document is based on Fiscal strategy and medium term expenditure. Opinion:, I agree with the score but wish to add a comment, clarification, or suggest another reference. Comments: The scorer put the Fiscal Strategy as the "Supporting EBP document" and said that Pre-Budget statement is not available. It may be more appropriate to list Fiscal Strategy as a Pre-Budget statement. RESEARCHER'S RESPONSE Fiscal Strategy, in regular circumstances would be identified as a "Pre-budget statement". However, Fiscal Strategy was published along with the EBP on According to the research methodology, PBS has to be published at least one month before sending the EBP to the parliament, so it cannot be considered as a PBS for this concrete year. We treated it

4 as a support document to the EBP instead. Ministry of Finance's Guidelines for the Preparation of Annual Plan and Budget are not considered Pre-Budget statement. In n context PBS equivalent would be (draft) Fiscal Strategy, or in the past Budget Memorandum (the one published in spring). Table 2a. Details about Availability Budget Documents Tick box if answer to the questions is yes Pre-Budget Statement Executive s Budget Proposal Enacted Budget Citizens Budget Is it produced at all? Is it produced for internal purposes only? Is it published too late compared to the accepted timeframe? Is it available to the public in hard copy, with charge? Is it available to the public in hard copy, NO charge? Is it available to the public in soft copy, with charge? Is it available to the public in soft copy, NO charge? Is it available to the public online? If available online, provide internet/url address N/A /vesti/dokumenti_pregl ed.php?id= ov.rs/upload/archive/ l es/cir/pdf/zakoni/2013/ pdf N/A Is it machine readable? [only for electronic copies]

5 Is there a citizens version of the budget document? N/A Sources: Pre -Budget Statement - t produced Executive's Budget proposal - Draft Budget Law for 2014: Supporting EBP Docs - Enacted Budget - Budget Law for 2014: Citizens budget - not produced Comments: Pre -Budget Statement - Although, Pre-Budget Statement for should be adopted by the Government on 15th June 2014 in compliance with the Budget System Law, we were informed by the Ministry of Finances, that due to parliamentary elections held in mid March, and establishment of new Government on 27th April drafting of Strategy is delayed to second quarter of Opinion:, I do not agree with the score. Comments: I would say that Pre Budget Statement is produced. Fiscal Strategy for 2014, 2015 and 2016 has been adopted, and is publicly available. It is true that the Strategy for has not been adopted. Partly, that is because of elections in the first half of this year, but also, more generally, budget calendar in is frequently not followed. However, Pre Budget Statement is produced and has been produced for the last 10 years, so I think that answer "not produced at all" is wrong. RESEARCHER'S RESPONSE It is truth that the "Fiscal Strategy" is produced. Fiscal Strategy, in regular circumstances would be identified as a "Prebudget statement". However, Fiscal Strategy was published along with the EBP on According to the research methodology, PBS has to be published at least one month before sending the EBP to the parliament, so it cannot be considered as a PBS for this concrete year. We treated it as a support document to the EBP instead. Table 2b. Details about Availability Budget Documents Tick box if answer to the questions is yes Mid- In-Year Report Year Year-End Report Audit Report Review Is it produced at all?

6 Is it produced for internal purposes only? Is it published too late compared to the accepted timeframe? Is it available to the public in hard copy, with charge? Is it available to the public in hard copy, NO charge? Is it available to the public in soft copy, with charge? Is it available to the public in soft copy, NO charge? Is it available to the public online? If available online, provide internet/url address n.gov.rs/ pages/issue.php? id=1568 N/A ov.rs/upload/archive/ l es/cir/pdf/predlozi_zak ona/ pdf s/pdf/revizija2013/1_ _11.pdf Is it machine readable? [only for electronic copies] Is there a citizens version of the budget document? Sources: In-Year Report - Public Finances Bulletin- Year-End Report - Draft Law on Balance Sheet of the Budget for Audit Report - Report on Audit of Balance Sheet of the Budget for Comments: Mid-Year Review - hard copy only, but doesn't satisfy basic standards (missing macro-economic forecast) and is therefore not considered at all

7 Table 3. When Are the Key Budget Documents Made Available to the Public? Pre-Budget Statement: When is the Pre-Budget Statement made available to the public? 100. At least four months in advance of the budget year, and at least one month before the executive s budget proposal is introduced in the legislature 67. At least two months, but less than four months, in advance of the budget year, and at least one month before the executive s budget proposal is introduced in the legislature 33. Less than two months in advance of the budget year, but at least one month before the executive s budget proposal is introduced in the legislature 0. Does not release to the public, or is released less than one month before the executive s budget proposal is introduced to the legislature Executive Budget Proposal: When is the Executive Budget Proposal made available to the public? 100. At least three months in advance of the budget year, and in advance of the budget being approved by the legislature 67. At least two months, but less than three months, in advance of the budget year, and in advance of the budget being approved by the legislature 33. Less than two months in advance of the budget year, but at least in advance of the budget being approved by the legislature 0. Does not release to the public, or is released after the budget has been approved by the legislature Enacted Budget: When is the Enacted Budget made available to the public? 100. Two weeks or less after the budget has been enacted 67. Between two weeks and six weeks after the budget has been enacted 33. More than six weeks, but less than three months, after the budget has been enacted 0. Does not release to the public, or is released more than three months after the budget has been enacted In-Year Report: When are In-Year Reports made available to the public? 100. At least every month, and within one month of the period covered 67. At least every quarter, and within three months of the period covered 33. At least semi-annually, and within three months of the period covered 0. Does not release to the public Mid-Year Review: How long after the mid-point in the fiscal year (i.e., six months into the fiscal year) is the Mid-Year Review made available to the public? 100. Six weeks or less after the mid-point 67. Nine weeks or less, but more than six weeks, after the mid-point 33. More than nine weeks, but less than three months, after the mid-point 0. Does not release to the public, or is released more than three months after the mid-point

8 Year-End Report: How long after the end of the budget year is the Year-End Report made available to the public? 100. Six months or less after the end of the budget year 67. Nine months or less, but more than 6 months, after the end of the budget year 33. More than nine months, but within 12 months, after the end of the budget year 0. Does not release to the public, or is released more than 12 months after the end of the budget year Audit Report: How long after the end of the fiscal year are the final annual expenditures of national departments audited and released (except for secret programs)? 100. Six months or less after the end of the budget year months or less, but more than 6 months, after the end of the budget year 33. More than 12 months, but within 18 months, after the end of the budget year 0. Does not release to the public, or is released more than 18 months after the end of the budget year Sources: Pre - Budget Statement t produced Executive's Budget proposal - Draft Budget Law for Supporting EBP Docs - Enacted Budget - Budget Law for In-Year Report - Public Finances Bulletin- Additional In-Year Report - Mid-Year Review - hard copy only, but doesn't satisfy basic standards (missing macro-economic forecast) and is therefore not considered at all Year-End Report - Draft Law on Balance Sheet of the Budget for Audit Report - Report on Audit of Balance Sheet of the Budget for Comments: Pre -Budget Statement - Although, Pre-Budget Statement for should be adopted by the Government on 15th June 2014 in compliance with the Budget System Law, we were informed by the Ministry of Finances, that due to parliamentary elections held in mid March, and establishment of new Government on 27th April drafting of Strategy is delayed to second quarter of Mid-Year Review - hard copy only, but doesn't satisfy basic standards (missing macro-economic forecast) and is therefore not considered at all In-year Report - Public Finances Bulletin is designed to present data monthly, however, in most cases publishing of it is usually in delay, for approximately 2 to 3 months. Last one that refers to February, which was supposed to be published by the beginning of March, was actually published in May. Opinion:, I do not agree with the score. Comments: Pre-Budget Statement is produced. According to the Budget System Law, it is supposed to be adopted by the Government by June 15th and is made available on the Government web site and Ministry of Finance web site within a few days. Then, after several iterations and with updated macro framework, the revised Fiscal Strategy is adopted by the Government on Octobe 1st (and is publicly available in few days). This year (as well as in some years in the past) this calendar was not respected. RESEARCHER'S RESPONSE

9 The correct answer to this question depends on intepretation. It is truth that the "Fiscal Strategy" is produced. Fiscal Strategy, in regular circumstances would be identified as a "Pre-budget statement". However, Fiscal Strategy was published along with the EBP on According to the research methodology, PBS has to be published at least one month before sending the EBP to the parliament, so it cannot be considered as a PBS for this concrete year. We treated it as a support document to the EBP instead. So, if this question is about "what is regularly happening" the answer might be different, i.e. in some years Fiscal strategy is sometimes produced and published in advance, and therefore could be treated as a pre-budget statement, while in other years it is produced and published later, and could no fit in "pre-budget statement" definition. Table 4. General Questions YES/NO If yes, additional information; If no, please note N/A in the text box. Is there a website or web portal for government fiscal information? Ministry of Finances n.gov.rs/ pages/issue.php? id= n.gov.rs/ pages/issue.php? id=1578 (also, folders "Propisi", "Dokumenta", "Ekonomska istrazivanja",on the left side of home page) Fiscal Council skalnisavet.rs/en/ Public Procurement Portal Is there a law (or laws) guiding public financial management? Budget System Law Budget Law for 2014 Public Procurement Law Audit Law Law on Accounting Are there additional laws regulating: Access to information? Transparency? Citizens participation? Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance Law on State Administration Government's Rules on Procedure

10 Sources: Ministry of Finances (also, folders "Propisi", "Dokumenta", "Ekonomska istrazivanja",on the left side of home page) Fiscal Council - Public Procurement Portal - Budget System Law - Budget Law for Public Procurement Law - Audit Law - Law on Accounting - Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance - Law on State Administration - Government's Rules on Procedure - Opinion:, I agree with the score but wish to add a comment, clarification, or suggest another reference. Comments: I just wanted to add some more links/references: 1. Public Debt Administration 2. Treasury Administration Section 2. Comprehensiveness of the Executive's Budget Proposal 001. Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present expenditures for the budget year that are classified by administrative unit (that is, by ministry, department, or agency)? A., administrative units accounting for all expenditures are presented. B., administrative units accounting for at least two-thirds of, but not all, expenditures are presented. C., administrative units accounting for less than two-thirds of expenditures are presented. D., expenditures are not presented by administrative unit. A. Score: 100 Sources: 2 PREDLOG ZAKONA O BUDZETU RS ZA2014 od str 62 do str sa izmenama (Executive's Budget Proposal

11 part 2) pg , excel table 002. Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present expenditures for the budget year by functional classification? A., expenditures are presented by functional classification. B., expenditures are not presented by functional classification. C. t applicable/other (please comment). A. Score: 100 Sources: 2 PREDLOG ZAKONA O BUDZETU RS ZA2014 od str 62 do str sa izmenama (Executive's Budget Proposal part 2) pg , excel table Comments: Third column represents functional classification 003. If the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation presents expenditures for the budget year by functional classification, is the functional classification compatible with international standards? A., the functional classification is compatible with international standards. B., the functional classification is not compatible with international standards, or expenditures are not presented by

12 functional classification. C. t applicable/other (please comment). A. Score: 100 Sources: 2 PREDLOG ZAKONA O BUDZETU RS ZA2014 od str 62 do str sa izmenama (Executive's Budget Proposal part 2) pg , excel table Comments: To some extent functional classification corresponds to international standards, but not completely Opinion:, I do not agree with the score. Suggested Answer: a. Comments: Functional classification corresponds to international standards. RESEARCHER'S RESPONSE The government's comment should be accepted and score changed to "A". The differences are not of substantial nature (e.g. social protection" listed as 000 instead of 10 function. Compare for example with Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present expenditures for the budget year by economic classification? A., expenditures are presented by economic classification. B., expenditures are not presented by economic classification. C. t applicable/other (please comment). A. Score: 100 Sources: ПРЕДЛОГ ЗАКОНА О БУЏЕТУ РЕПУБЛИКЕ СРБИЈЕ ЗА ГОДИНУ (Executive's Budget Proposal part 1) pg 2-4

13 005. If the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation presents expenditures for the budget year by economic classification, is the economic classification compatible with international standards? A., the economic classification is compatible with international standards. B., the economic classification is not compatible with international standards, or expenditures are not presented by economic classification. C. t applicable/other (please comment). A. Score: 100 Sources: ПРЕДЛОГ ЗАКОНА О БУЏЕТУ РЕПУБЛИКЕ СРБИЈЕ ЗА ГОДИНУ (Executive's Budget Proposal part 1) pg 2-4 Comments: Economic classification resembles greatly to IMF standards, however in certain lines and in codes it differs Opinion:, I do not agree with the score. Suggested Answer: a. Comments: Economic classification is compatible with international standards. This does not mean that every line and code should be completely the same in each country, the logic and rules how to classify lines and codes are important. RESEARCHER'S RESPONSE The answer depends on interpretation. n economic classification is compatible with international standards in all major categories, and differences in some minor categories are not significant. So, although the classification is not identical one, the answer "A" would be acceptable as well, as government reviewer suggested.

14 006. Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present expenditures for individual programs for the budget year? A., programs accounting for all expenditures are presented. B., programs accounting for at least two-thirds of, but not all, expenditures are presented. C., programs accounting for less than two-thirds of expenditures are presented. D., expenditures are not presented by program. B. Score: 67 Sources: ПРЕДЛОГ ЗАКОНА О БУЏЕТУ РЕПУБЛИКЕ СРБИЈЕ ЗА ГОДИНУ (Executive's Budget Proposal part 1) pg PREDLOG ZAKONA O BUDZETU RS ZA2014 od str 62 do str sa izmenama (Executive's Budget Proposal part 2) pg , excel table Comments: Capital expenditures are presented in details by individual program, which represents roughly one quarter of total budget expenditures, and administration units classification contains program lines for most units Opinion:, I agree with the score but wish to add a comment, clarification, or suggest another reference. Comments: In budget for 2015 all expenditures are presented as part of some program. has completely introduced program budget since Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present expenditure estimates for a multi-year period (at least two-years beyond the budget year) by any of the three expenditure classifications (by administrative, economic, or functional classification)? A., multi-year expenditure estimates are presented by all three expenditure classifications (by administrative, economic, and functional classification). B., multi-year expenditure estimates are presented by two of the three expenditure classifications.

15 C., multi-year expenditure estimates are presented by only one of the three expenditure classifications. D., multi-year expenditure estimates are not presented by any expenditure classification. B. Score: 67 Sources: ПРЕДЛОГ ЗАКОНА О БУЏЕТУ РЕПУБЛИКЕ СРБИЈЕ ЗА ГОДИНУ (Executive's Budget Proposal part 1) pg Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and table 20 pg 50 and table 23 pg Comments: Capital expenditures are presented for two years beyond the budget year by individual programs, which represents roughly one quarter of total budget expenditures. Table 23 represents expenditure limits per administration unit. Table 20 represents projection of expenditures by most general categories of economic classification displayed as percentage of GDP Opinion:, I do not agree with the score. Suggested Answer: c. Comments: The budget document provides three year expenditure estimates only for capital investments, which is just a part of total expenditures. However, the Fiscal Strategy provides three year "ceilings" by administrative units (table 23 in the following document) Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present expenditure estimates for a multi-year period (at least two-years beyond the budget year) by program? A., multi-year estimates for programs accounting for all expenditures are presented. B., multi-year estimates for programs accounting for at least two-thirds of, but not all, expenditures are presented. C., multi-year estimates for programs accounting for less than two-thirds of expenditures are presented. D., multi-year estimates for programs are not presented.

16 C. Score: 33 Sources: ПРЕДЛОГ ЗАКОНА О БУЏЕТУ РЕПУБЛИКЕ СРБИЈЕ ЗА ГОДИНУ (Executive's Budget Proposal part 1) pg Comments: Capital expenditures are presented for two years beyond the budget year by individual programs, which represents roughly one quarter of total budget expenditures Suggested Answer: d Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present the individual sources of tax revenue (such as income tax or VAT) for the budget year? A., individual sources of tax revenue accounting for all tax revenue are presented. B., individual sources of tax revenue accounting for at least two-thirds of, but not all, tax revenues are presented. C., individual sources of tax revenue accounting for less than two-thirds of all tax revenues are presented. D., individual sources of tax revenue are not presented. A. Score: 100 Sources: ПРЕДЛОГ ЗАКОНА О БУЏЕТУ РЕПУБЛИКЕ СРБИЈЕ ЗА ГОДИНУ (Executive's Budget Proposal part 1) pg 1-2 Comments: 1,1% of total tax revenue is presented under line "other tax revenues"

17 IBP COMMENT After careful review, the revenue item entitled Остали порески приходи (other tax revenues) constitutes less than 1.1% of the total tax revenue. IBP has chosen, for consistency purposes, to change the answer from B to A to be comparable to other countries Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present the individual sources of nontax revenue (such as grants, property income, and sales of government-produced goods and services) for the budget year? A., individual sources of non-tax revenue accounting for all non-tax revenue are presented. B., individual sources of non-tax revenue accounting for at least two-thirds of, but not all, non-tax revenues are presented. C., individual sources of non-tax revenue accounting for less than two-thirds of all non-tax revenues are presented. D., individual sources of non-tax revenue are not presented. B. Score: 67 Sources: ПРЕДЛОГ ЗАКОНА О БУЏЕТУ РЕПУБЛИКЕ СРБИЈЕ ЗА ГОДИНУ (Executive's Budget Proposal part 1) pg 1-2 Comments: 9% of total non - tax revenue is presented under line "other regular non - tax revenues" 011. Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present revenue estimates by category (such as tax and non-tax) for a multi-year period (at least twoyears beyond the budget year)?

18 A., multi-year estimates of revenue are presented by category. B., multi-year estimates of revenue are not presented by category. C. t applicable/other (please A. Score: 100 Sources: Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and table 19 pg 47 Comments: Table represents revenue estimates displayed as percentages of GDP 012. Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present estimates for individual sources of revenue presented for a multi-year period (at least two-years beyond the budget year)? A., multi-year estimates for individual sources of revenue accounting for all revenue are presented. B., multi-year estimates for individual sources of revenue accounting for at least two-thirds of, but not all, revenue are presented. C., multi-year estimates for individual sources of revenue accounting for less than two-thirds of revenue are presented. D., multi-year estimates for individual sources of revenue are not presented. C. Score: 33

19 Sources: Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and table 19 pg Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present three estimates related to government borrowing and debt: the amount of net new borrowing required during the budget year; the total debt outstanding at the end of the budget year; and interest payments on the debt for the budget year? A., all three estimates related to government borrowing and debt are presented. B., two of the three estimates related to government borrowing and debt are presented. C., one of the three estimates related to government borrowing and debt are presented. D., none of the three estimates related to government borrowing and debt are not presented. A. Score: 100 Sources: ПРЕДЛОГ ЗАКОНА О БУЏЕТУ РЕПУБЛИКЕ СРБИЈЕ ЗА ГОДИНУ (Executive's Budget Proposal part 1) pg 4 table B and table from pg 7-39 Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and table 37 pg 92 Comments: The total debt stock is in the table 37 in the Fiscal Strategy, so we can see the total debt burden at the end of Interest payments is on the page 3 (1.3 Расходи по основу отплате камата). The table B, pg. 4. of EBP contains clearly stated borrowing, i.e. 330 billion from intended selling of bonds in RSD and EUR in the country, 68,5 billion RSD from selling of such papers abroad and 264 billion RSD from the bank's, IFI's and foreign countries' loans.

20 014. Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present information related to the composition of the total debt outstanding at the end of the budget year? (The core information must include interest rates on the debt instruments; maturity profile of the debt; and whether it is domestic or external debt.) A., information beyond the core elements is presented for the composition of the total debt outstanding. B., the core information is presented for the composition of the total debt outstanding. C., information is presented, but it excludes some core elements. D., information related to composition of total debt outstanding is not presented. A. Score: 100 Sources: Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and table 33 pg 86 ПРЕДЛОГ ЗАКОНА О БУЏЕТУ РЕПУБЛИКЕ СРБИЈЕ ЗА ГОДИНУ (Executive's Budget Proposal part 1) pg 7-39 Comments: Information (pg 7-39) are presented in two separate tables for domestic and foreign debts. Each loan is presented with interest rate on the debt, maturity profile of the debt, total debt burden on 30 September 2013 in RSD and EUR and amount of installment in Some additional information are presented as well in above mentioned tables, beyond the core elements, such as the currency of the debt, the profile and full title of creditors and brief information for some debts about what the debt is being used to finance.

21 015. Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present information on the macroeconomic forecast upon which the budget projections are based? (The core information must include a discussion of the economic outlook with estimates of nominal GDP level, inflation rate, real GDP growth, and interest rates.) A., information beyond the core elements is presented for the macroeconomic forecast. B., the core information is presented for the macroeconomic forecast. C., information is presented, but it excludes some core elements. D., information related to the macroeconomic forecast is not presented. C. Score: 33 Sources: OBRAZLOŽENJE (Explanatory te of Draft Budget Law for 2014) table 4 pg 8 Comments: Table represents estimates on real GDP growth, inflation rate, nominal GDP level Opinion:, I do not agree with the score. Suggested Answer: b. Comments: Fiscal strategy contains information related to macroeconomic forecast. RESEARCHER'S RESPONSE As identified in the comment, 3 out of 4 core elements are in place, so the score could be only "c". There is also a short reference to "interest rates". However, it is not part of macroeconomic analyses for, but quotation of IMF for "eurozone", that is not a part of.

22 016. Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation show the impact of different macroeconomic assumptions (i.e., sensitivity analysis) on the budget? (The core information must include estimates of the impact on expenditures, revenue, and debt of different assumptions for the inflation rate, real GDP growth, and interest rates.) A., information beyond the core elements is presented to show the impact of different macroeconomic assumptions on the budget. B., the core information is presented to show the impact of different macroeconomic assumptions on the budget. C., information is presented, but it excludes some core elements. D., information related to different macroeconomic assumptions is not presented. C. Score: 33 Sources: Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and pg and pg Comments: Pg discusses risks of macroeconomic assumptions including alternative scenarios for different GDP and inflation rates; pg represents analysis of alternative scenario effects to budget incomes and expenditures. However, these information are not sufficiently linked to the information on actual budget Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present information for at least the budget year that shows how new policy proposals, as distinct from existing policies, affect expenditures? A., estimates that show how all new policy proposals affect expenditures are presented, along with a narrative

23 discussion. B., estimates that show how all new policy proposals affect expenditures are presented, but a narrative discussion is not included. C., information that shows how some but not all new policy proposals affect expenditure is presented. D., information that shows how new policy proposals affect expenditure is not presented. C. Score: 33 Sources: Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and pg ОБРАЗЛОЖЕ (Explanatory te of Draft Budget Law for 2014) pg chapter "Economy policy in 2014" Comments: Fiscal Strategy states how certain policies will affect the budget and Explanatory te only mentions new policies and measures without offering proper explanation on how they will affect the budget, merely that they will decrease public spendings 018. Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present information for at least the budget year that shows how new policy proposals, as distinct from existing policies, affect revenues? A., estimates that show how all new policy proposals affect revenues are presented, along with a narrative discussion. B., estimates that show how all new policy proposals affect revenues are presented, but a narrative discussion is not included. C., information that shows how some but not all new policy proposals affect revenues are presented. D., information that shows how new policy proposals affect revenues is not presented.

24 C. Score: 33 Sources: Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and table 18 pg Comments: Fiscal Strategy states how certain policies will affect the budget 019. Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present expenditures for the year preceding the budget year (BY-1) by any of the three expenditure classifications (by administrative, economic, or functional classification)? A., expenditure estimates for BY-1 are presented by all three expenditure classifications (by administrative, economic, and functional classification). B., expenditure estimates for BY-1 are presented by two of the three expenditure classifications. C., expenditure estimates for BY-1 are presented by only one of the three expenditure classifications. D., expenditure estimates for BY-1 are not presented by any expenditure classification. C. Score: 33 Sources: Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and table 15 pg 39 Comments: Table presents estimation of expenditures for 2013 by economic classification

25 020. Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present expenditures for individual programs for the year preceding the budget year (BY-1)? A., programs accounting for all expenditures are presented for BY-1. B., programs accounting for at least two-thirds of, but not all, expenditures are presented for BY-1. C., programs accounting for less than two-thirds of expenditures are presented for BY-1. D., expenditures are not presented by program for BY-1. D. Score: 0 Sources: Executive's Budget Proposal (part 2) pg , excel table Comments: Expenditures for some individual programs are presented only for the budget year In the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation, have expenditure estimates of the year prior to the budget year (BY-1) been updated from the original enacted levels to reflect actual expenditures? A., expenditure estimates for BY-1 have been updated from the original enacted levels. B., expenditure estimates for BY-1 have not been updated from the original enacted levels. C. t applicable/other (please comment).

26 A. Score: 100 Sources: Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and table 15 pg 39 Comments: Table offers numbers from original budget for 2013, budget revision made on 5 July 2013 and estimates of expenditures by the end of Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present estimates of expenditure for more than one year prior to the budget year (that is, BY-2 and prior years) by any of the three expenditure classifications (by administrative, economic, or functional classification)? A., expenditure estimates for BY-2 and prior years are presented by all three expenditure classifications (by administrative, economic, and functional classification). B., expenditure estimates for BY-2 and prior years are presented by two of the three expenditure classifications. C., expenditure estimates for BY-2 and prior years are presented by only one of the three expenditure classifications. D., expenditure estimates for BY-2 and prior years are not presented by any expenditure classification. C. Score: 33 Sources: Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and table 10 pg 30 Comments: Table presents information on actual expenditures for BY-2 and BY-3 classified in mayor categories of economic classification. However, this table aggregates expenditures of other governmental levels as well, not just the central one.

27 023. Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present expenditures for individual programs for more than one year preceding the budget year (that is, BY-2 and prior years)? A., programs accounting for all expenditures are presented for BY-2 and prior years. B., programs accounting for at least two-thirds of, but not all, expenditures are presented for BY-2 and prior years. C., programs accounting for less than two-thirds of expenditures are presented for BY-2 and prior years. D., expenditures are not presented by program for BY-2 and prior years. E. t applicable/other (please D. Score: 0 Sources: Executive's Budget Proposal (part 2) pg , excel table Comments: Expenditures for some individual programs are presented only for the budget year In the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation, what is the most recent year presented for which all expenditures reflect actual outcomes? A. Two years prior to the budget year (BY-2). B. Three years prior to the budget year (BY-3).

28 C. Before BY-3. D. actual data for all expenditures are presented in the budget or supporting budget documentation. A. Score: 100 Sources: Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and table 10 pg Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present revenue by category (such as tax and non-tax) for the year preceding the budget year (BY-1)? A., revenue estimates for BY-1 are presented by category. B., revenue estimates for BY-1 are not presented by category. C. t applicable/other (please comment). A. Score: 100 Sources: Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and table 15 pg 39

29 026. Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present individual sources of revenue for the year preceding the budget year (BY-1)? A., individual sources of revenue accounting for all revenue are presented for BY-1. B., individual sources of revenue accounting for at least two-thirds of, but not all, revenue for BY-1 are presented. C., individual sources of revenue accounting for less than two-thirds of all revenues for BY-1 are presented. D., individual sources of revenue are not presented for BY-1. B. Score: 67 Sources: Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and table 15 pg 39 Comments: Certain amount of revenue are stated under category "other tax revenues" which represents approximately 3% of current tax revenues and non-tax revenues are not being individualized at all, and they represent approximately 11% of public revenues 027. In the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation, have the original estimates of revenue for the year prior to the budget year (BY-1) been updated to reflect actual revenue collections? A., revenue estimates for BY-1 have been updated from the original enacted levels. B., revenue estimates for BY-1 have not been updated from the original enacted levels. C. t applicable/other (please comment).

30 A. Score: 100 Sources: Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and table 15 pg Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present revenue estimates by category (such as tax and non-tax) for more than one year prior to the budget year (that is, BY-2 and prior years)? A., revenue estimates for BY-2 and prior years are presented by category. B., revenue estimates for BY-2 and prior years are not presented by category. C. t applicable/other (please comment). A. Score: 100 Sources: Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and table 9 pg 29 Comments: Table offers information on actual revenues for BY-2 and BY-3 rather then estimations, for tax, non-tax revenues and donations.

31 029. Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present individual sources of revenue for more than one year prior to the budget year (that is, BY-2 and prior years)? A., individual sources of revenue accounting for all revenue are presented for BY-2 and prior years. B., individual sources of revenue accounting for at least two-thirds of, but not all, revenue are presented for BY-2 and prior years. C., individual sources of revenue accounting for less than two-thirds of all revenues are presented for BY-2 and prior years. D., individual sources of revenue are not presented for BY-2 and prior years. B. Score: 67 Sources: Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and table 9 pg 29 Comments: Table presents individual sources of revenue except from categories "other tax revenues" that represents approximately 3% of current revenues and "non-tax revenues" that represents approximately 12% of public revenues 030. In the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation, what is the most recent year presented for which all revenues reflect actual outcomes? A. Two years prior to the budget year (BY-2). B. Three years prior to the budget year (BY-3). C. Before BY-3. D. actual data for all revenues are presented in the budget or supporting budget documentation.

32 A. Score: 100 Sources: Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and table 9 pg Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present information on government borrowing and debt, including its composition, for the year proceeding the budget year (BY-1)? (The core information must include the total debt outstanding at the end of BY-1; the amount of net new borrowing required during BY-1; interest payments on the debt; interest rates on the debt instruments; maturity profile of the debt; and whether it is domestic or external debt.) A., information beyond the core elements is presented for government debt. B., the core information is presented for government debt. C., information is presented, but it excludes some core elements. D., information related to government debt is not presented. B. Score: 67 Sources: Executive's Budget Proposal (part 1) pg 7-39 Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and table 25 pg 66, table 39 pg 92 and table 15 pg 39

33 Comments: Estimation of total debt outstanding at the end of BY-1 is presented in table 33, pg 7 of EBP presents amount of net borrowing for BY-1 made by 30 September 2013, interest payments are also presented in table 15, interest rate in table 32, table from EBP offers maturity profiles and information on whether it is domestic or external debt is in table 25, debt stock at the end of 2013 in table In the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation, what is the most recent year presented for which the debt figures reflect actual outcomes? A. Two years prior to the budget year (BY-2). B. Three years prior to the budget year (BY-3). C. Before BY-3. D. actual data for government debt are presented in the budget or supporting budget documentation. A. Score: 100 Sources: Fiscal Strategy for 2014 with projections for 2015 and table 39 pg 92 Comments: Total debt stock at the end of 2012.

34 033. Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present information on extrabudgetary funds for at least the budget year? (The core information must include a statement of purpose or policy rationale for the extra-budgetary fund; and complete income, expenditure, and financing data on a gross basis.) A., information beyond the core elements is presented for all extra-budgetary funds. B., the core information is presented for all extra-budgetary funds. C., information is presented, but it excludes some core elements or some extra-budgetary funds. D., information related to extra-budgetary funds is not presented. B. Score: 67 Sources: ОБРАЗЛОЖЕЊЕ ФИНАНСИЈСКОГ ПЛАНА РЕПУБЛИЧКОГ ФОНДА ЗА ЗДРАВСТВЕНО ОСИГУРАЊЕ ЗА ГОДИНУ Explanatory te of Financial Plan of Republic Health Insurance Fund for 2014 Comments: The explanatory note for financial plans of social security organisations, such as one mentioned here (the same is with the other, such as pension fund) contains following information: 1. legal ground for adoption of the financial plan. 2. legal ground for planning (Law on health insurance) that defines purpose of financing the Fund and establishment of the Fund, listing of people insured (e.g. minors, pregnant women, poor people etc.) 3. elements for the planning (established on the basis of Ministry of Finance) that are based on macroeconomic assumptions and Fiscal Strategy 4. basic information on Fund and its organisational units, number of employed personnel, list of legal duties of the Fund 5. network of health institutions financed by the fund 6. detailed financial plan that includes revenues and expenditures Suggested Answer: c Does the Executive s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present central government finances (both budgetary and extra-budgetary) on a consolidated basis for at least the budget year?