MEC Monitoring of Ministry Anti-Corruption plans: Ministry of Economy, 2018
The Ministry has developed a more comprehensive approach in its Anti-Corruption Plan than other ministries, covering the units within the Ministry that are highly vulnerable to corruption. The Plan lists SMART-tested objectives and aligns their implementation with well-developed activities. Progress against indicators has already been achieved to a certain degree.
Notwithstanding the progress, the MoEc Plan has not been designed and developed based on a risk assessment. Normally, Anti-Corruption Plans ought to be developed following a thorough risk assessment inside the institution that is entrusted with enforcing the Plan. The absence of a risk assessment has led to a subjectively developed Anti-Corruption Plan. Though the Plan cites some specific corruption vulnerabilities, without a specific risk- assessment there are identifiable technical gaps. For instance, risks related to the recruitment of advisors have not been incorporated into the Plan. The findings of MEC in other Ministries show that the recruitment of advisors has been a significant vulnerability.
Effective communication of the Plan can support its effective implementation, especially as it will inform the workforce and nurture a sense of ownership among the staff. Nevertheless, the Anti-Corruption Plan has not been widely communicated. Most Units of the Ministry had no knowledge about Plan’s existence.