Local authorities increase support for One-Stop Shops

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Significant improvements have been made to the management of One-Stop Shops, which is in large part due to an increased awareness of the importance of OSS in Mongolia, the website of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) published Thursday. Helping to foster this heightened awareness was the National Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Governors’ Offices and OSS Managers held in November 2013 in Ulaanbaatar. In a presentation made during the consultative meeting, a director of the Human Security Policy Studies Centre (the implementing NGO) Mr L.Erdenechuluun said: “OSS managers have been changed due to the formation of the new government after the 2012 Parliamentary elections. Newly appointed local authorities are not aware of the importance of OSS, and consequently provide weak support that does not ensure sustainability,” The meeting focused on improving the long-term sustainability of OSS and resolving the issues and challenges that are being faced. OSS managers have since reported positive changes of attitude among local authorities that have resulted in improvements to OSS centers. Manager of the Uvs aimag OSS Ms S.Oyunbileg said: “The meeting was very effective in influencing the governor’s views of OSS. Afterwards, our local authorities started paying more attention and allocated a separate budget for OSS maintenance and improvement,” The meeting concluded with the drafting of recommendations for the implementation of Government Resolution No. 153 of April 2013 on “Measures to be Taken on Public Administrative Services in One-Stop Shops” and OSS Operational Guidelines. Following the meeting, Orkhon, Darkhan-Uul, Gobisumber, Uvs, Arkhangai and Khentii aimags also approved budget allocations for the expansion and improvement of OSS centers, and for capacity-building of OSS staff. Such developments are a direct reflection of the increased awareness and understanding of local authorities on the importance of OSS, which will contribute to bringing public services closer to citizens.