Government officials discuss key policies, initiatives

Manama, Mar. 14 (BNA): Government officials today held a meeting to discuss key policies and initiatives that will inform the upcoming Government Action Plan (2019 - 2022). The meeting was led by the Deputy Prime Minister, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa. Today’s meeting followed a series of workshops and coordination meetings held in recent months, which have led to the development of over 100 new initiatives and policies. This included three workshops focused on the following areas: Sustainable economic development, strengthening the Kingdom’s long-term fiscal security and fast-tracking infrastructure projects; policies, legislation and enhancing government performance, and public services and enhancing environmental protection Commenting on the outcomes of the workshops, HH the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted that the wide range of initiatives and policies identified reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring sustainable development meets citizens’ aspirations. HH the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that HRH the Prime Minister and HRH the Crown Prince continue to play a crucial role in driving forward the Kingdom’s development programme, underpinned by His Majesty King Hamad’s vision and directives. HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, directed government officials during the 2017 Government Forum to lead a series of workshops to identify key objectives for the upcoming Government Action Plan (2019 - 2022). The final workshop, which will also be led by the Deputy Prime Minister, HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, is due to take place in April. The workshop will be used to review the final policies and initiatives to be put forward for the Government Action Plan. In November 2017, government officials held a workshop focused on sustainable economic development, strengthening the Kingdom’s long-term fiscal security and fast-tracking strategic infrastructure projects. The workshop was led by the Deputy Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, and saw the introduction of nine key policies and 32 development initiatives which will be delivered through 250 new projects. In January, government officials held a workshop focused on policies, legislation and enhancing government performance. The workshop was led by the Deputy Prime Minister, Jawad bin Salem Al Arrayed, and saw the introduction of ten key policies and 33 initiatives. In March, government officials held a workshop focused on public services and enhancing environmental protection. The meeting was led by the Deputy Prime Minister, HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, and saw the introduction of ten key policies and 40 initiatives. The 2017 Government Forum was held in October last year under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, and through the initiative of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. The Forum outlined the government’s progress in implementing initiatives and programmes within the current Government Action Plan (2015 – 2018).