The seminar on Audit of Privatisation , was sponsored by ASOSAI and hosted by the Supreme Audit Board of Indonesia on April 15-22,1997.The Venue of the seminar were Hotel Natour Garuda in Yogyakarta and the SAB's Headquarters in Jakarta. The Seminar's main theme was "The role of SAI in Privatisation Process of State Owned Enterprises." The main theme was then divided into two sub-themes:
| Sub-Theme-1 | The legal and Accounting Framework of Privatisation |
| Sub-Theme-2 | SAI Mandate, Methodologies, Audit Reporting and Problems |
The Seminar was attended by 35 participants from 29 ASOSAI member countries. The Chairman of the SAI OF Kyrgizstan himself attended the Seminar. The Seminar was opened by Dr. J.B. Sumarlin Chairman of the Supreme Audit Board of Indonesia.
At the end of the Seminar , Evaluation questionnaire designed by the ASOSAI Secretariat were distributed to the participants. Out of 35 Participants 32 participants responded. The questionnaire covered seminar contents and arrangements. Generally all the participants commented that the overall arrangements were good.
The General Auditing Bureau of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosted a seminar on "Performance Audit" from June 7 to 11, 1997 at its Head Office in Riyadh. The seminar was held within the framework of the training programme approved by the "Standing Committee of the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Training of Member SAIs' Personnel" in its meeting at GCC's Secretariat General headquarters in Riyadh on 29-30 April, 1997.
Delegates from the SAIs of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain attended the Seminar of which the main objective was to provide participants with the basic principles as well as the concepts and techniques of performance audit. Participants were also offered a favourable opportunity to exchange ideas, experiences and information they need to carry out performance audit tasks in their respective SAIs.
The seminar covered a variety of topics, including; the concept of performance audit (P.A.) and identifying its objectives; P.A. planning and techniques; P.A. requirements (internal and external); elements of P.A.(efficiency, effectiveness and economy); and P.A. standards and reports.
The seminar also included a presentation of manifold experiences in the field of performance audit, from theoretical and applied standpoints, in both government and economic sectors.
Specialised Training Courses in Auditing and Computer for GAB's Personnel
Based on its full conviction that specialised vocational training is of great importance for staff of different post levels to attain the highest quality in practising the audit profession, GAB has been conducting in-house specialised training courses in the field of supreme audit according to annual plans.
GAB's training activity during the first half of 1997 included the completion of (23) courses in the fields of performance audit and computer, with the participation of (198) trainees. "These training courses have had favourable returns in upgrading the performance of auditors both in quality and quantity.
Trainee Audit Officers from Central Asian Republican visit the H.Qrs. of SAI Pakistan
A group of 18 - trainee Audit Officers from Kazakistan, Tajikstan, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan, undergoing International Course on "Public Finance Management for Auditors from Asian Republics (CARs)" conducted by Pakistan Audit Department at Lahore visited the Auditor-General's Office, Islamabad on 5.1.1998.
They were briefed by Mr. Shoaib Ansari, Deputy Auditor General, Mr. Naseer-ul-Haq Shaikh, D.G. Federal Audit, Mr. Athar AN Zaidi, Dy. Auditor General (Project Director PIFRA) and Mr. Mohsin Khan, D.G. (R&D) coordinator PIFRA and M. Javed Siddiqui (Director Operation PIFRA) briefed the visitors regarding importance of project of Improvement of Financial Reporting and Auditing (PIFRA). While S. Mehtab Hasan Naqvi, D.G. (International Relations) conducted the session.
Auditor-General of Pakistan Mr. Manzur Hussain, welcomed he trainee Audit Officers and expressed his satisfaction on the training programme for the participants from these countries who are members of ECOSAI as well. He maintained that proper training broadens the horizons and equips the trainees with the knowledge and skills for better performance on the job.
International Training Programmes
SAI-lndia has been organising three International Training Programmes every year on a variety of audit themes for the benefit of staff from SAIs of the Asian, African and Pacific regions. These programmes are funded by the Government of India under various Co-operation Programmes and Schemes. Till 1997-98 forty one such programmes had been organised, benefiting 1086 staff from 52 SAIs.
During the year 1997-98, the International Training Centre of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India has organised three International Training Programmes on the following themes:-
Of these, the first two programmes, which were attended by 44 participants from 27 SAIs, have been successfully concluded. The third programme is currently in progress.
This is an important Contributor to the work of ASOSAI and it deserves to have the best articles that all of us can prepare so that it can illustrate the professionalism of all SAIs. I particularly congratulate the Governing Board for their innovation in establishing this award.
- Pat Barret, Auditor General of Australia on receiving the First ASOSAI Journal Award during the 7th ASOSAI Assembly in Jakarta