Hebron Mayor Mr. Khaled Osaily inaugurated today a workshop on the implementation of the Unified Municipal Financial System (UMFS). The meeting was also attended by Mr. Abdel Mughni Nofal, Director General of the Municipal Development and Lending Fund (MDLF), Mr. Amre Al Omla, Director General of the Ministry of Local Government (Hebron), heads of relevant sections at Hebron Municipality and representatives from the Free Balance Group.

In his opening speech, Mayor Osaily underlined the importance of UMFS, stressing that Hebron Municipality is keen on implementing the most modern international financial standards, hence the selection of the Free Lance Group. Osaily also touched on the Municipality’s experience in operating a customer service center and in developing and providing electronic services to customers in line with the Unified Financial System covered by the workshop.

Abdel Mughni Nofal, Director General of MDLF, stressed the importance of this System which is to be implemented at Hebron Municipality amongst others, and touched on the capacity building projects implemented by MDLF. He commended the Municipality’s efforts as well as cooperation with MDLF by both Mayor Osaily and the Municipality’s Financial Department.

Mr. Al Omla said the implementation of UMFS falls within the scope of the Reform and Development Plan endorsed by the Ministry of Local Government in 2004. It is implemented through MDLF and plays a major role on the national level in developing services provided by the Municipality.

Mr. Mohamad Al Ramahi, MDLF’s Financial Manager, touched on the mechanism which led to the selection of the Free Balance Group to implement UMFS in line with international standards, highlighting his confidence in Hebron Municipality’s ability to implement UMFS despite the great challenges faced by MDLF and municipalities in general.

The Free Balance Group then provided a detailed presentation of UMFS and its implementation by employees. Several technical issues were tackled relating to implementing the System and facilitating financial operations in the Municipality with a view to providing the best possible level of services to customers.