Microsoft Industry Digital Forum
Key role of Public Finance Organizations in the Economy Rebuild

Abstract: COVID-19 recovery plans pushed government deficits and debts to unforeseen levels. As governments now begin to focus on post-pandemic recovery, three consistent themes have emerged: urgency of digital transformation, public-private partnerships, and focus on social impact and sustainability. Governments are relying on public finance agencies to foot the bill. Yet these institutions struggle with inefficiencies and protecting public revenue base against evasion and fraud. Watch this webinar to:

• Hear how Public Finance Organizations (Ministry, Tax, Customs etc.) can be a leading agent for economy rebuild in the pandemic context
• Gain insights on each country’s approach to managing the COVID-19 crisis and restarting the economy and the role technology plays in these initiatives

Host : Valentina Ion, Director Strategy Public Finance Industry, Microsoft

Panelist:
Eric Marinkovic Febre, Deputy Director of IC Division Internal Revenue Service, Chile
Antony Collard, Chief Technology and Design Office, HM Revenue & Customs, UK
Milena Budimirovic, Senior Technical Officer, Procedures and Facilitation Sub-Directorate, World Customs Organization

Speakers

Eric Marinkovic Febre Deputy Director of IC Division Internal Revenue Service Chile Civil Engineer and master’s in Computer Engineering at the University of Santiago de Chile.During the last years he has been responsible for driving and managing the Information Technology development of SII, leading the Digital Transformation, and focusing on the development of technological solutions that facilitate Tax Compliance. His main contributions include the process modernizations within the administration promoting digital services to taxpayers and tax employees, the VAT and income tax returns prefilling, the electronic invoice and more. As well as the development of all technological solutions required by the modernization of tax reform.

Antony Collard Chief Technology and Design Office HM Revenue & Customs, UK Antony has worked in Government for over 25 years, across a range of professions including Technology, Compliance, Operational Delivery and Programme Management. He built and led the HMRC Digital Delivery capability in it’s first four years, delivering award winning external and internal customer focussed digital platforms, and applications for both HMRC and wider UK government, including the Personal Tax Account and Mobile App. He has also been involved in the many COVID-19 services HMRC launched to help UK Citizens. Antony is now Director of Chief Technology and Design Office. CT&DO is newly formed to set the architectural direction across the HMRC IT estate by co-ordinating and leading the enterprise services and capabilities to set Strategy, and work with HMRC Strategy teams and Policy leads to drive technology. The team will assume end-to-end accountability for architecture across the CDIO Group, as well as embed a user centric culture by bringing a User Centred Design approach and tools to Policy design and Transformation.

Milena Budimirovic Senior Technical Officer, Procedures and Facilitation Sub-Directorate World Customs Organization Milena is a Senior Technical Officer in the WCO Procedures and Facilitation Sub- Directorate and has been serving in the WCO since May 2012. Her responsibilities include the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and cooperation with the WTO and other international organizations. She is the main coordinator for WCO’s key committee dealing with procedures and facilitation, the Permanent Technical Committee, and is involved in the development of trade facilitation instruments and tools. She manages the Future of Customs file, which explores disruptive technologies and foresight, amongst other, and leads on the WCO Technology Conference theme and agenda. Relations with the Private Sector Consultative Group and the International Chamber of Commerce are also part of her portfolio. Before joining the WCO Secretariat in May 2012, Milena served as Brussels-based Customs Attaché of the Republic of Serbia for three years, working closely with the European Commission and the WCO. In 2011 she was accredited WCO Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Technical and Operational Advisor. Prior to moving to Brussels, she served for ten years in the Customs Administration of Serbia both in operations and in the headquarters. She managed WCO SAFE Implementation and was involved in various modernization projects supported by the WCO and the EU.

Valentina Ion Director Strategy Public Finance Industry Microsoft As Director of Government Public Finance Industry, Valentina is in charge of Microsoft sales and industry solutions strategy for this industry, enabling a strong organization that supports Governments embark on the Digital Transformation journey based on deep understanding of their industry, drivers and the critical line of business processes. She is also in charge of building and developing strategic partnerships with ICT, Advisory, Academia or International Organizations such as OECD, IOTA, WCO etc.She has a diverse background in industry sales strategy and execution, partnerships management, marketing and product management as well a business operation and she holds a Master in Finances and Accounting. With more than 21 years’ experience in ICT and Business transformation Valentina is passionate about business re-engineering and digital transformation for better economy and society.