In 2011, ICMA led a successful Municipal Finance Training Certification Program for Southeast Asian officials, and received additional funding from the World Bank to host a second training session this summer. The objective of the course is to increase the capacity of local governments to secure bond financing necessary for infrastructure improvement. The five topics the ICMA team covered were:

1. Operating budget
2. Capital planning and budgeting
3. Revenue generation
4. Accounting and reporting
5. Creditworthiness and debt financing.

ICMA partnered with the World Bank’s Global Development Learning Network, an interactive videoconferencing system, which allowed participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam to attend each session. Seventy-two officials will soon receive certificates of successful completion, resulting in a 99% pass rate.

Participants used the Knowledge Network to view all assigned readings for the five modules, and interact in ICMA’s Municipal Finance Training Certification group. The Knowledge Network allows individuals from all parts of the world to access posted resources and communicate with professionals with similar interests.

ICMA International’s senior governance advisor and former city administrator in Santa Barbara, California, Sandra Tripp-Jones, returned to conduct the course in late June. Jesus Nava, finance director in Burlingame California; Robert Samario, finance director in Santa Barbara, California; and Robert Pierson, chief financial officer in Santa Barbara also returned to present again.

Overall, the training session was once again successful. Jesus Nava remarked, “The experience has been wonderful. I had never imagined using my knowledge, skills, and experience to assist local governments in South East Asia strengthen their finances and develop their infrastructure. The participants are eager to learn and fully engaged in our conversations. It gives me great hope for cities that are part of the Association of South Eastern Asian Nations… It has been an honor to be of service to so many.”

For additional information about ICMA’s international activities, visit the ICMA International website and the International Development topic area in the Knowledge Network, or contact international@icma.org.