Omani Ministry of Finance Explores EXPRO’s Expenditure Efficiency Experience

The Board of Directors of the Government Expenditure & Projects Efficiency Authority has issued a decision to appoint Mr. Ali bin Mohammed Alwabel as EXPRO’s official spokesperson in addition to his current role as the Executive Director of Corporate Communications general Department. The decision comes in efforts to enhance the communication channels between EXPRO and the local and international audiences, and to support the continued cooperation with the media organizations. The aim is to deliver EXPRO’s media message through a clear and transparent approach that reflects its contributions and achievements, while also facilitating access to information related to its projects and initiatives.

The Board of Directors of the Government Expenditure and Projects Efficiency Authority (EXPRO) has issued a decision appointing Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdullah Albesher as the Chief Executive Officer of EXPRO. Dr. Albesher has extensive experience in strategies, business development, financial management, digital transformation, and project management within both government and private entities. His previous roles include serving as the Deputy Minister for Industrial Services and Compliance at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Advisor to the Minister of Commerce, and LBU General Manager for the Industrial and Commercial Sector in Saudi Arabia at the international ABB Group, which specializes in advanced energy and automation industries. This is in addition to his various other experiences across a number of organizations. He has also held memberships on numerous boards of directors and committees, including: the Board of Directors of the Real Estate General Authority, the Board of Directors of the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON), the Board of Directors of the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha'at), the Board of Directors of the Social Development Bank, the Board of Directors of the Council of Health Insurance, the Board of Directors of Saudi Post (SPL), the Board of Directors of the National Center for Waste Management (MWAN), the Group Housing Program for Individuals, the Industrial Customs Exemptions Committee, the standing Committee for Consumer Protection, and the Product Safety and Monitoring Committee. Throughout his career in both the public and private sectors, he has led strategic initiatives for transforming industrial policies and achieving operational excellence, aiming for sustainable growth and global competitiveness. He has also led digital transformation in service delivery, oversight, and compliance systems, as well as the governance and design of procedures. Dr. Albesher holds a master’s and a Ph.D. in Engineering Management from Brunel University London in the United Kingdom, and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from King Saud University. He also holds numerous executive certificates in leadership, management, and governance from the Misk Leaders 2030 program and other institutes including IMD, London Business School, and INSEAD. It is noteworthy that the Government Expenditure and Projects Efficiency Authority  (EXPRO) was established by a decision of the Council of Ministers on February 23, 2021, with the aim of contributing to achieving expenditure efficiency in government entities, raising the quality of projects, assets, and facilities, planning infrastructure, and overseeing programs, initiatives, and operational processes funded by the government's general budget, as well as following up on these entities' implementation of their related programs and initiatives to achieve the EXPRO's objectives.

The Government Expenditure and Projects Efficiency Authority (EXPRO) has announced the commencement of the seventh cycle of the Sustainability Key Elements Program, with the participation of 83 government entities, aiming to enhance expenditure efficiency methodologies and practices within these entities. The Sustainability Key Elements Program supports change management in expenditure efficiency practices within government entities. It serves as a diagnostic tool that identifies performance gaps in the practices standardized by EXPRO, focuses on key areas for improvement and causes of waste, and charts a roadmap for improving the maturity of practices across the expenditure lifecycle. The seventh cycle includes workshops introducing the program's strategy and roadmap through to 2030, as well as key developments and updates to the program's standards and indicators. This aims to elevate the readiness of government entities, ensure the application of best practices and methodologies, and identify strengths and opportunities for improvement to achieve sustainability in expenditure efficiency. This cycle of the SKEP Program aims to contribute to directing government resources in line with national strategies, enhancing financial sustainability, and raising performance efficiency in the government sector by evaluating and improving institutional practices. It also supports government entities in adopting advanced work methods for managing resources efficiently and effectively, in addition to striving for excellence in applying best practices throughout the expenditure lifecycle. This is achieved by providing the necessary tools to ensure continuous improvement in expenditure efficiency practices within government entities and leading efforts to implement the policies, methodologies, and guides developed by EXPRO to achieve an impact on the sustainability of government expenditure efficiency. The expenditure lifecycle consists of seven main pillars, encompassing practices and standards adopted by entities and evaluated through a model for measuring maturity levels in expenditure efficiency according to specific criteria and mechanisms. The seven pillars include: Leadership and Strategy, Planning and Preparation, Capacity Building, Procurement, Projects, Assets and Facilities, and Impact Measurement. The performance evaluation of entities participating in SKEP Program is conducted using an integrated model for measuring institutional maturity levels in expenditure efficiency. This utilizes criteria and mechanisms approved by EXPRO, with the participation of members of the Independent Committee for SKEP program, which includes a number of leaders from government entities and independent experts from the private sector. EXPRO supports government entities in enhancing expenditure efficiency, optimizing public procurement, and improving the quality of projects, assets, and facilities. Additionally, it strengthens infrastructure, programs, initiatives, and operational planning, develops policies, regulations, and methodologies, and builds national talent capabilities.