Dellegates at the event. Photo: VNA

A Vietnamese delegation from the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) had a working session with the regional State Auditor General of Western Cape province, South Africa to strengthen cooperation and exchange experience between the two sides, VNA reported.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged experience in state audit activities and processes as well as in ensuring budget resources, handling financial wrongdoings during auditing, and environmental auditing, among others.

Nguyen Ba Dung, director of the SAV's Department of International Cooperation, said the Vietnamese delegation was very impressed with the auditing report of Western Cape province's regional audit agency, especially in ensuring audit quality and professionalism.

Dung also praised the province’s strength in applying information technology with cutting-edge applications and software in the audit process.

For her part, Sangeeta Kallen, business executive at the State Auditor General of Western Cape province said that the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) is willing to share its lessons and experience in information technology auditing, an area that Vietnam is interested in.

She also showed her interest in handling financial wrongdoings during auditing, especially forcing officials to take responsibility for their violations.

Earlier, on April 19, State Auditor General Ngo Van Tuan and his South African counterpart Tsakani Maluleke have a working session in Pretoria during which agreed to step up bilateral cooperation and exchanges to share experience, especially in fields of each side’s strength.

Maluleke expressed her interest in learning from Vietnam's auditing practices, especially how the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) handles financial wrongdoings during auditing, as well as in environmental auditing.

She said the AGSA is willing to share its lessons and experience in information technology auditing, an area that Vietnam is interested in.

Tuan briefed the host about the history of the SAV, saying that established in 1994, the SAV has actively joined multilateral organisations such as the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), the Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI).

As one of the four founding members of the ASEAN Supreme Audit Institutions (ASEANSAI), the SAV used to serve as Chair of the ASOSAI for the 2018-2021 tenure and Chair of the ASEANSAI Strategic Planning Committee, he added.

During its operation, the SAV always strives to fine-tune its legal framework with the issuance of 39 standards according to the INTOSAI standards and many regulations to ensure the independence of the auditing agency.

According to Tuan, his agency has strengthened performance and compliance audits, focusing on issues of public concern, those prone to corruption and negative behaviours, and those serving the supreme supervision of the National Assembly.

The guest hailed the active participation of the AGSA, with a 112-year history, in various international and regional organisations, especially its involvement in many working groups of INTOSAI.

State Auditor General Ngo Van Tuan and a Vietnamese delegation work in South Africa. Photo: VNA

The SAV leader proposed that both sides increase the exchange of delegations, including high-ranking ones, hold workshops to share professional experience, especially in improving the capacity of auditors and applying INTOSAI standards in audit activities.

Within the framework of multilateral cooperation, the SAV hopes to receive support and cooperation from the AGSA at INTOSAI forums, he said.

On the occasion, he extended an invitation to Maluleke and South African colleagues to visit Vietnam, especially in 2024 when the SAV celebrates its 30th founding anniversary.

The Vietnamese delegation also held a working session with Deputy Auditor General of South Africa Vonani Chauke, during which both sides shared their practical experience in monitoring the quality of auditing and anti-corruption measures, folIowing INTOSAI auditing standards, and improving the expertise of auditors. The Vietnamese side shared how they handle financial irregularities during the auditing process.

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