Steering Committee
The Steering Committee (SC) of the IMF South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Center has an advisory role in the governance of SARTTAC, with meetings held annually and additional meetings as necessary. The Secretariat is headed by the SARTTAC Director. Other members include representatives from IMF headquarters, the member countries of SARTTAC, and the development partners.
The SC’s main function is to provide strategic guidance to SARTTAC by contributing to setting of policies and priorities and by endorsing an indicative annual work plan. The SC reviews progress under the work plan, as well as broad performance under the Program Document guiding SARTTAC’s set up and operations. The SC is also a forum for discussing the coordination of training and technical assistance provided by SARTTAC on macroeconomic and financial analysis and policy design, including fiscal, monetary, and financial sector policies, and on macroeconomic statistics. The Secretariat shares periodic updates with the SC on SARTTAC’s activities through annual reports, quarterly bulletins, and other contact.
Country Representatives
India
Ms. Manisha Sinha
Additional Secretary,
Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance
Mr. Arnab Kumar Chowdhury
Executive Director,
International Department, Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Nepal
Ms. (Dr.) Neelam Dhungana Timsina
Senior Deputy Governor,
Nepal Rastra Bank
Mr. Narayan Prasad Risal
Joint Secretary,
Ministry of Finance
Bangladesh
Mr. Shirajun Noor Chowdhury
Additional Secretary,
Finance Division,
Ministry of Finance
Ms. (Dr.) Sayera Younus
Executive Director (Research),
Bangladesh Bank
Sri Lanka
Mr. Samantha Bandara
Additional Director General, Department of External Resources,
Ministry of Finance
Ms. Nelumani Daulagala
Senior Deputy Governor,
Central Bank of Sri Lanka
Bhutan
Ms. Leki Wangmo
Finance Secretary,
Ministry of Finance
Ms. Ugyen Choden
Deputy Governor,
Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan
Maldives
Ms. Idham Hussain
Assistant Governor,
Maldives Monetary Authority
Mr. Ahmed Siraj
Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Finance
Development Partners' Representatives
Australian Government
The Treasury
Mr. Alistair Campbell
Minister-Counsellor (Economic), Senior Treasury Representative,
Australian High Commission, India
IMF Representatives
IMF - APD
Mr. Sanjaya P. Panth
Deputy Director, Asia and Pacific Department,
IMF
European Union
Mr. Franck Viault
Minister-Counsellor, Head of Cooperation
Delegation of EU to India and Bhutan
IMF - ICD
Mr. Peter Kunzel
Division Chief, Global Partnerships Division, Institute for Capacity Development
IMF
Republic of Korea
Mr. Youngwook Koh
Head of IMF Team,
Ministry of Economy and Finance
IMF - SARTTAC
Ms. Giorgia Albertin
Director, IMF SARTTAC
Member Secretary
SARTTAC's 7th Annual Steering Committee Meeting, June 20, 2023 (Hybrid)
The IMF South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Center (SARTTAC) held its Seventh Annual Steering Committee (SC) meeting (hybrid) on June 20, 2023. Members, alternates, and observers gathered at SARTTAC in New Delhi and online for the one-day meeting. Sixty participants joined, including the IMF staff. The meeting was preceded by a welcome reception the evening before and several bilateral meetings (both virtual and in-person) with member country (MC) agencies focused on the FY24 workplan (May 2023 – April 2024) and contributions to SARTTAC’s Phase II. Ahead of the meeting, a draft report on SARTTAC’s activities in FY23, a proposed budget and workplan for FY24, and an annotated draft program document (PD) outlining Phase II of SARTTAC operations were circulated to the SC.
SARTTAC's Mid-Year Steering Committee Meeting, February 28, 2023, (Virtual through video conference)
A mid-year meeting of SARTTAC’s Steering Committee (SC) was held on February 28, 2023. The meeting was joined by around 50 participants, mainly from member country central banks and finance ministries, from development partners, and from the IMF. The meeting centered on providing updates to the SC on the: (i) execution of SARTTAC’s workplan and budget in FY23 (May 1, 2022 – April 30, 2023), including newly added activities; (ii) preparation of the FY24 workplan (including a training schedule); (iii) status of SARTTAC’s Phase II program document (PD) and fundraising activities; and (iv) plans for an annual SC Meeting in June 2023.
SARTTAC's Sixth Annual Steering Committee Meeting, July 7, 2022 (Hybrid mode)
SARTTAC’s Sixth Annual Steering Committee (SC) Meeting took place in New Delhi in hybrid format on July 7, 2022. The meeting was joined by around 75 in-person and virtual participants. It focused on SARTTAC’s operations during FY22 (May 2021 – April 2022) and draft workplan and budget for FY23, which was laid out for the SC’s endorsement, including in a report for them circulated in advance of the meeting. The workplan for FY23, which comprises 165 activities, was prepared in consultation with member countries, IMF capacity development (CD) departments, and country teams in the Asia and Pacific Department. The SC meeting was preceded by a short meeting with member country agency training and human resources department on July 1 to brief them of the FY23 training schedule and get their feedback on delivery and plans.
SARTTAC's Mid-Year Steering Committee Meeting, January 7, 2022, (Virtual through video conference)
A mid-year meeting of SARTTAC’s Steering Committee (SC) was held on January 7, 2022. The meeting was joined by around 50 participants, mainly from member country central banks and finance ministries, from development partners, and from the IMF. The main focus was on execution of SARTTAC’s FY22 (May 2021 – April 2022) workplan through December 2021 and the changes proposed for the balance of the fiscal year, the challenges and opportunities presented by virtual delivery of capacity development (CD), and progress on the mid-term evaluation of SARTTAC’s Phase I funding cycle.
SARTTAC's Fifth Annual Steering Committee Meeting, July 7, 2021, (Virtual through video conference)
The IMF South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Center (SARTTAC) held fifth annual meeting of its Steering Committee (SC) on July 7, 2021. Comprising South Asia member countries, development partners, and IMF staff—places high value on Center’s workplan to address contemporary economic challenges, including those posed by climate, inequality, and the pandemic, in keeping with using capacity development to ensure more inclusive growth in the region.
SARTTAC's Mid-Year Steering Committee Meeting, January 19, 2021, (Virtual through video conference)
The IMF South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Center (SARTTAC) held a virtual mid-year meeting of its Steering Committee (SC) on January 19, 2021. The SC endorsed a revised workplan, which was adapted to meet capacity development needs of member countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka) as they take actions to mitigate the economic fallout of COVID-19. Member country officials and development partners (EU, Korea, UK and Australia) lauded efforts made by SARTTAC to continue delivering high-quality training and technical assistance in these extraordinary times.
SARTTAC's Fourth Steering Committee Meeting, June 3, 2020, (Virtual through video conference)
The Steering Committee of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Center (SARTTAC) held its 4th meeting on June 3rd , Virtually through video conferencing. Officials from SARTTAC member countries Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka attended the meeting, along with development partner representatives from the European Union, United Kingdom, and Australia. The Committee reviewed the training and technical assistance delivered by the center in fiscal year 2020, endorsed the work program for fiscal year 2021, and discussed the support being provided and planned by the Center in response to COVID-19.
SARTTAC's Third Steering Committee Meeting, June 10, 2019, Male, Maldives
The Steering Committee of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Center (SARTTAC) held its 3rd meeting on June 10th in the Maldives. Officials from SARTTAC member countries Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka attended the meeting, along with development partner representatives from the European Union, United Kingdom, and Australia. The Committee reviewed the training and technical assistance delivered by the center in fiscal year 2019, endorsed the work program for fiscal year 2020, and discussed a range of issues related to the operation of SARTTAC.
SARTTAC's Second Steering Committee Meeting, May 24, 2018, Colombo, Sri Lanka
IMF SARTTAC held its second steering committee meeting – the first outside Delhi – where members commended the rapid scaling up and quality of services being provided, as well as their customization and practical orientation. Several noted that SARTTAC was building a sustained partnership across the region, one of the intended benefits of the RCDC model. The committee endorsed the governance procedures for the Center and the FY 2019 work program and budget. Discussions covered feedback on SARTTAC’s performance in FY2018, reporting to development partners, reporting on training results, the Result Based Management framework, financing plans, and Technical Assistance dissemination. Member countries’ high-level of ownership of SARTTAC and their appreciation of its work were notable.
SARTTAC's Interim Steering Committee Meeting, November 17, 2017, New Delhi, India
An interim meeting of the Steering Committee of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Center (SARTTAC) was held in New Delhi on November 17, 2017, to assess the Center’s activities since its inauguration in February 2017 and to review the Fiscal Year 2018 work plan. The meeting was chaired by the hosts, India (Mr. Dinesh Sharma, Special Secretary, Ministry of Finance, GoI).
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SARTTAC's Inaugural Steering Committee Meeting, February 13, 2017, New Delhi, India
SARTTAC's inaugural Steering Committee Meeting was held at its headquarters, New Delhi, on February 13, 2017. All six member countries were represented. Represtatives from Austrialia, DFID, the EU and Korea attended as members, while Japan and USAID were present as observers. IMF staff from ICD, APD, FAD, MCM and STA also attended. The meeting was chaired by the hosts, India ( Mr. M. Rajeshwar Rao, Executive Director, RBI).
SARTTAC's 8th Annual Steering Committee Meeting, July 31, 2024 (Hybrid)
The IMF South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Center (SARTTAC) held its Eighth Annual Steering Committee (SC) meeting (hybrid) on July 31, 2024. SC members, alternates, designates and observers gathered at SARTTAC in New Delhi and online for the one-day meeting. Fifty-eight participants joined, including IMF and SARTTAC staff. Ahead of the meeting, a draft FY24 Steering Committee report, including SARTTAC’s activities in FY24 and workplan for FY25 were circulated to the SC.
Ms. Manisha Sinha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India (GoI) Chaired the meeting. All Member Countries (MCs) were represented at the meeting. From Development Partners (DPs), European Union participated. Officials from United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Asian Development Bank (India), and World Bank (India) joined as observers. Ms. Sinha welcomed participants and acknowledged the support provided by SARTTAC to MCs since its inception in 2017. She stated that SARTTAC’s expertise and support has played a vital role in enhancing fiscal policies, monetary frameworks, financial sector stability, and macroeconomic management in the region.
SARTTAC's Mid-Year Steering Committee Meeting, January 24, 2024, (Virtual through video conference)
The IMF South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Center (SARTTAC) held its Mid-Year Steering Committee (SC) meeting (virtual) for the fiscal year (FY) 2024 on January 24, 2024. SARTTAC staff joined the meeting from its office in New Delhi while members, alternates, and observers connected virtually for the ninety-minute meeting. Fifty-Three participants joined, including IMF staff. Ahead of the meeting, the revised workplan for FY24, prepared after consultation with member country (MC) agencies, capacity development departments (CDD) and country teams in the IMF Asia and Pacific Department (APD), was circulated to the SC.
Conclusion of SARTTAC’s Phase I: SARTAC director Mr. Cowen informed the SC that SARTTAC had delivered 471 TA missions and 366 training events during February 2017 and December 2023. During this period, SARTTAC has trained over 8,100 participants. While India accounted for 28 percent of total CD spending, it was evenly spread across countries and ranged between 10 percent for Nepal and 19 percent for Bangladesh. In terms of sectors, the distribution was guided by country priorities.
