TARP Programme implementation: FBR to review performance of foreign consultants

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to review the performance of the foreign consultants hired for smooth implementation of reforms under the Tax Administration Reform Programme (TARP). Sources told Business Recorder on Thursday that the role of the foreign consultants would be reviewed in the next board-in-council meeting of the FBR.
Some of the foreign consultants, who worked for the FBR included Allan Gilmore Human Resource Advisor and Hugo Hanish programme manager for the TARP. The board intended to conduct a comprehensive performance evaluation of the foreign consultants in view of past performance and progress made by them.
Sources said that the extension in the contracts of consultants also required reviewing of their performance. The FBR had already hired a number of consultants under the TARP from last many years. However, it is yet to be seen whether the performance of such local/foreign consultants and members hired from private sector are being monitored/evaluated on regular basis.
It is important to mention that the board had hired the services of communication, procurement and legal consultants. Procurement and audit consultants had also worked for the FBR. On the same pattern, an Information Technology related consultant was also appointed.
Sources said that the FBR had appointed other consultants during the last few years. One of these consultants is Hugo Hanish, programme manager for the TARP. Three foreign tax consultants from USA, UK and Germany assisted FBR in implementing tax reforms in Pakistan. Consultants were hired to get feedback and guidance on reforms-related issues including procurement of Integrated Tax Management System (ITMS), Human Resource Management (HRM); evaluation of the Pakistan Computerised Customs (PACCS) and establishing data warehouse.
In the past, Dr James P Mcgee, from USA was hired for 3-4 weeks to help in purchase of ITMS, a software to integrate all the taxes. Allan Gilmour from UK also provided consultancy on human resource management.
A German tax consultant Dietmore Jost was hired for 30 days to evaluate the PACCs on the recommendations of the World Bank (WB). Ms Yassiemine L. Hodges had worked as audit expert for devising national audit plan and audit manual, sources added.