International companies submitted bids on 10 November for the contract to provide consultancy services to the Finance Ministry on wide-ranging banking sector reforms. The consultant will offer technical assistance on institutional, legislative and operational reform of the banking sector. The plan is to support the government on banking policy, to develop banking training programmes and to improve bank services. Five international consortia have been shortlisted for the contract, which is due to be awarded on 15 December and will be financed by the European Commission.