winning Project A Antiviral · Antiviral Bulletin Twinning Project Improving Revenue Collection and Tax and Customs Policy” 2 is newsletter is funded by the European Union within

Antiviral Bulletin

Twinning Partners

Agency for European Integration and Economic Development

Ministry of Finance of North Macedonia

Austrian Ministry of Finance

Croatian Ministry of Finance

Launch

The project implementation started on January 21st 2020, with the expected duration of 36 months.

About the project

This twinning project, budget-ed at 3.500.000,00 EUR, has a specific objective that is fo-cused at harmonizing tax and customs legislation in line with the relevant EU acquis and the best practices. The aim is to improve economic analysis and revenue forecasting to-gether with modelling and en-hancement of operational and administrative capacities of key institutions in the system.

In addition, the project is di-rected to simplify tax and cus-toms procedures, including the declaration and payment by reducing the administra-tive procedures and costs that will result in the improving of the tax and customs services’ quality which is provided to citizens.

The main objective of the proj-ect is directly related to the im-plementation of the Tax Sys-tem Reform Strategy (yet to be adopted).

Antiviral Bulletin

Twinning Project “Improving Revenue Collection and Tax and Customs Policy”MK 18 IPAFI 02 19

Dear all,

dealing with the unforeseen obstacles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on people all across the world, and we were all very well aware of this in our daily working schedules and tasks.

According to official reports which are daily estimated and corelated, the larg-est number of confirmed cases at the present are in the United States, Brazil, Russia, India, UK, and Spain. However, even the countries that the coronavirus has hit less aggressively are still under considerable strain. Therefore, the en-tire world is buzzing with uncertainty and questions: How long will the pan-demic last? What will people’s lives look like once the pandemic is over? Will it ever be over? And what about that sec-ond wave?

Marcela Skobalj, Senior TW Project Officer, AEI

F oreword

E ssential Outline

At the moment, many countries have taken measures — some of them strin-gent — to slow down the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as most governments are now considering or actively permit-ting the relaxation of measures, at least during the summer months.

Due to the that unexpected situation where we had to adjust our daily activ-ities, experts from North Macedonia, Austria and Croatia have decided not to give up but to continue in an envi-ronment of optimism and confidence in order to achieve the best results possi-ble during the very demanding situation we all encountered in the course of our working hours, through the week and over weekends.

That is the reason we decided to call this newsletter a bit more creative as we were really totally antiviral during all the ac-tivities because of the strong team spirit that permeates every and each project member.

Thank you all for your positive atti-tude as we cooperatively proved that all planned benchmarks can be achieved – even in the most challenging condi-tions!

Antiviral Bulletin Twinning Project “Improving Revenue Collection and Tax and Customs Policy”

This newsletter is funded by the European Union within the IPA 2018 programme.2

excellence quote of the week “Successful realization of all planed project activities in past months is an evidence for the great start of the project. During the workshops, which were a combination of desk work and online conferences, experts from BC and MS expressed their profes-sionalism and with fruitful discussion among each other they exchanged their knowledge and experience about various tax and customs related topics. So, in the current situation with COVID crisis, per-forming workshops online was an excellent choice. All project team (MS-BC) is high-ly professional and therefore able to adapt work to the COVID crisis. My respect to all of you.”

Zoran Gligorov, BC PL

“This Twinning Project started in difficult times. The situation with Covid-19 request-ed a lot of changes in our daily life. But the whole project team and all experts imme-diately agreed to adapt to the new challeng-es. Due to the flexibility and motivation of everyone, we managed to start with all ac-tivities. Each week up to 4 workshops with a total of 70 or more participants have been held using Skype, Teams or Webex and are managed by the RTA project office team in Skopje. Thanks to all involved colleagues for their engagement, which is the basis for this successful project.”

Werner Thury, MS PL

“Not even pandemics of Covid-19 could stop the EU Twinning project in North Macedonia.

Faced with the consequences of the pan-demics and without possibility to work in Skopje, we have decided to undertake on-line workshops, in accordance with the previously adopted plan of the ac-tivities.

Having this goal, we have made timely preparation of IT tools necessary for on-line workshops, Webex and Skype. Through this preparation of on-line activities and specifically by this on-line-test meeting which is having place 1-2 work days before the start of every workshop, we have already succeeded in additional interlinking of experts from BC and MS among themselves, showing significant facilitation in the implemen-tation of the activities and adoption of the new tools, as a result.

Key fact is that IT tools enable active participation of all experts in the work-shop in the real-time, and also active use of prepared and developed educa-tional materials – PowerPoint presen-tations etc. Because of the IT tools, and thankful to the positive energy and en-thusiasm of BC and MS experts, on-line workshops provide satisfactory result and show that it can be rather satisfac-tory replacement until the re-ignition of normal circumstances and establish-ment of standard, face-to-face work-shops.

Therefore, all of the planned activities have been performed with the satisfac-tory quality – even more satisfactory than expected.”

Bosiljko Zlopasa, MS JPL

“We are very successful in this project. Via skype we can reach much more colleagues than with the usual procedure. We have Skype workshops with 20 or more partic-ipants where we are working together on official documents, answer questions and have live discussions.”

Andrea Reuter, MS Component Leader 1

“It’s so exciting to have the front-row seat in the process of transformation of our coun-try that is almost tangible in many aspects covered by this Project. The Twinning team spirit has compelled all of us, and I am sure this will drive us to go that extra mile in this Project.”

Snezana Filipovska, RTA Language As-sistant

„It can be quite challenging and exciting at the same time to be a pioneer at something. I am really exhilarated to be part of this Ex-quisite Project Management Team which was able to overcome in a unique way all

E xpert testimonials from the project team of North Macedonia, Austria and Croatia



included in it, great job people!”

Ivana Lekikj, RTA Language Assistant

“Workshops in this project started in the time Covid - 19 crisis was in full bloom. It is amazing how everything can be achieved when you have such great man-agement team that can quickly find a solution and agree upon everything, and from the other side partners that are will-ing to adjust to the situation. Thanks to all this project is running smoothly even though this is a very complex project. It is my pleasure to be part of this adventure.”

Romana Robnik, RTA

which is able to adapt to the new cir-cumstances.”

Dervisha Hadzic-Rahic, RTA Project Assistant

“First and foremost, I am very happy to work in such a great team and in such a wonderful and understanding atmosphere. I am honoured to be able to contribute in such an important project that has so far brought won-derful results and benefits. And last, but not least I am proud that this proj-ect is one of the few that is a real sur-vivor in these difficult times caused by the Corona virus. And to all those

the challenges, breaking all communi-cation barriers by maximum efficient use of Technology, swiftly adapting to the COVID - 19 circumstances and producing extraordinary results.“

Riste Nikolov, RTA Project Assistant

“Despite the circumstances with Covid - 19, we showed how prepared and flexible we could be to success-fully implement this project. Online activities are a new useful tool and ef-ficient method to transfer knowledge. However, none of this could be possi-ble without the broad circle of profes-sionals and a good Management Team

S teps undertaken during the implementation of activities(Twinning world before and during COVID-19)

Step1

Launching of STE Mission

• E-mail to the STEs which serves as an invitation,

• Detailed information and precise instructions to the STEs

• All the Mission - related Tem-plates are attached

Step2

Agenda sent by STEs

The STEs send the Draft Agenda for the Activity.

Step3

Sending the Agenda to the BC Colleagues+

Request for List of Participants of BC

Step4

BC List of Participants from CLs

Component Leader enters the names and the Contact details of the BC Participants who will take part in the OnlineWorkshop

Schedule Online Test Call

• Skype Call: Skype Meeting Group is created

• WEBEX: Virtual Classroom is created on this platform and on-line meeting is scheduled.

This is usually done at least one day before the Test Call.

Step5



Step6

Send Agenda to BC + Test Call

The TW Project Team sends via e-mail

• Final Agenda to the Participants,

• access links and

• informs the participants about all the technical details related to the Test Call.

Step8

Access to the SharePoint

Online Shared Folder for storage of all Project – related documents

Step12

Presentations sent to BC Participants

Few days before the online activity

Step13

Uploading the Presentations on the SharePoint

Done by the MS experts with the help of the RTA office

Step14

Mission Report and Follow up

Drafted by the MS experts

Step10

Online Meetings

Online Meetings are initiated each day by the TW Project Team.

Step11

Sending link for Evalua-tion of the Training

The TW Project Team has es-tablished an online evaluation system.

Step9

Translation of documents

When asked by the BC col-leagues

Step7

Performing the Test Call

The Test Call is conducted one week before the actual online training takes place.

• Testing the online environment

• STEs and BC participants meet for the first time, and introduce themselves,

• Confirmed whether interpretation will be needed

A dditional Project Management activities

Skype Weekly Meetings

Once a week, the MS and BC Project Leaders, MS and BC Component Leaders and the RTA hold a coordinative meeting in order to follow the progress of the activities organized in the course of that week.



Name of Activity

Act. 2.4.1. Elaboration of Training Needs Assessment and a training plan; Implementation through seminars/workshops, on-the- job training incl. on Econometrics & Programming with R, Tax benefit micro-simulation model for the European Union-EUROMOD, Global Trade Analysis Project-GTAP model etc.)

Act. 3.1.1. Guidelines, instructions, manuals and control procedures in line with the procedures and best working practices in the EU prepared

Act. 3.3.2. Preparation of national technical specifications of the EU Re-quired IT systems

Act. 1.1.4. Gap analysis of national legislative provisions (laws and bylaws and methodology) compared to the latest EU legislation and best practices, in the area of: Personal Income Tax, Profit Tax, Value Added Tax, Excise Du-ties, Taxation of Motor Vehicles, Property Taxes, Public Revenue Office, Tax Procedure (paperless administration and tax debt management), Customs, Customs Tariffs, Customs Measures for Protection of Intellectual Property Rights and other related legislation


Act. 0.2. Steering Committee Meetings


Act. 4.1.2. Assessment report on the existing methodological tools and im-plementing arrangements in the PRO with recommendations for improve-ment)

Mission Results / Outputs

Training (11 BC analysts) on Econo-metrics & Programming with R, Tax benefit micro-simulation model for the European Union-EUROMOD, Global Trade Analysis Project-GTAP model

Draft Guidlines for Customs Con-trols on Transboundary Shipments of Waste

National Technical specifications of the EU Required IT systems

Question / Answers Annex in connec-tion to the preparation of Gap Anal-ysis of existing national legislation against the EU legislation in regards to Excise

Gaps and Needs Analysis of Value Added Tax

Meeting minutes

Draft GAP Analysis of the Customs Code of The Republic of North Mace-donia and the Union Customs Code in regards to Tax Procedures

Assessment report on the existing methodological tools and implement-ing arrangements in the Public Reve-nue Office with recommendations for improvement

Status

Final

Draft

Draft

Draft

Final

Final

Draft

Draft

R esults of the expert Twinning team (from January 21st until June 30th 2020)



Name of Activity

Act. 1.1.1a. Gap analysis of national legislative provisions (laws and bylaws and methodology) compared to the latest EU legislation and best practices, in the area of: Personal Income Tax, Profit Tax, Value Added Tax, Excise Duties, Taxation of Motor Vehicles, Property Taxes, Public Revenue Of-fice, Tax Procedure (paperless administration and tax debt management), Customs, Customs Tariffs, Customs Measures for Protection of Intellectual Property Rights and other related legislation

Act. 3.3.3. Preparation of national technical specifications of the EU Re-quired IT systems

Act. 4.1.1. Assessment report on the existing methodological tools and implementing arrangements in the PRO with recommendations for im-provement)

Act. 4.2.3. New/updated methodological tools (incl. assessment reports, action plans, guidelines, instructions, manuals and control procedures in line with the procedures and best EU practices)

Act. 3.1.2. Guidelines, instructions, manuals and control procedures in line with the procedures and best working practices in the EU prepared

Act. 4.2.1. New/updated methodological tools (incl. assessment reports, action plans, guidelines, instructions, manuals and control procedures in line with the procedures and best EU practices)

Mission Results / Outputs

Gap analysis Customs Code of the Re-public of North Macedonia and Union Customs Code

Reccomendations for Customs and Ex-cise IT systems taking into consideration the functionality and interoperability for postal and express consignments

Assessment report on the existing meth-odological tools and implementing ar-rangements in the Public Revenue Office with recommendations for improvement

Recommendations for improvement of existing methodological tools and im-plementing arrange-ments with an ad-ditional focus on professional and ethical standards for the conduct of the employ-ees

Draft of Guidelines in the field of inves-tigation with special focus on interviews

Assessment report on the existing meth-odological tools and implementing ar-rangements in the Public Revenue Office with recommendations for improvement

Status

Draft

Final

Draft

Final

Draft

Draft

Documents

winning Project A Antiviral · Antiviral Bulletin Twinning Project Improving Revenue Collection and Tax and Customs Policy” 2 is newsletter is funded by the European Union within