Central Bank of Syria Holds Workshop on Strengthening Internal Audit
A specialized workshop titled “Towards Effective Internal Audit” was held in the capital, Damascus, to discuss mechanisms for enhancing the internal control system within the Central Bank of Syria and its various provincial branches. This initiative is part of broader efforts to improve institutional performance, entrench principles of integrity and transparency, and ensure the protection of public funds.
The workshop was organized by the Central Authority for Supervision and Inspection. Attendees included the head of the authority, Amer Al-Ali, the Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, Safwan Raslan, the deputy head of the authority, Ali Suleiman, and a number of staff members specializing in audit and institutional affairs.
During the sessions, participants reviewed the current state of audit operations within the central bank and its branches. The discussions focused on prospects for development and enhancing the effectiveness of these processes, with the aim of positively impacting the quality of financial and banking services provided to citizens. Participants emphasized that achieving these goals relies on the principle of audit integration. Both the head of the Central Authority for Supervision and Inspection and the Central Bank Governor underscored that successful internal control is a shared responsibility, requiring close and continuous coordination between the authority and the bank to advance audit performance across all public sector institutions.
The attendees also addressed the evolving role of internal audit, asserting that its scope should extend beyond merely addressing errors after they occur to include active participation in planning and implementation stages. This approach is intended to facilitate the deployment of early warning tools for identifying deficiencies, managing operational risks, and optimizing the use of available resources, which will ultimately lead to more efficient and sustainable institutional outcomes.
The workshop concluded with an agreement on a set of recommendations and practical steps. Specialized teams were formed to follow up on the implementation of these recommendations in the field and to ensure that the proposed development measures are executed effectively. This event follows a series of previous consultative meetings, including a session held on June 16 between the Central Bank Governor and the head of the Central Authority for Supervision and Inspection, which focused on enhancing joint cooperation to develop governance and audit systems in the Syrian banking sector in the public interest.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
