Government officials hold workshop on economy, fiscal security and infrastructure

Manama, Nov. 26 (BNA): Government officials today held a workshop focused on sustainable economic development, strengthening the Kingdom’s long-term fiscal security and fast-tracking strategic infrastructure projects. The meeting 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. The meeting, which took place at the Isa Cultural Centre, follows the 2017 Government Forum, during which His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, directed government officials to lead a series of workshops to identify key objectives for the upcoming Government Action Plan (2019 - 2022). The 2017 Government Forum was held in October under the patronage of His Royal Highness 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). A series of coordination meetings were held to inform the workshops, covering key priority areas for the upcoming Government Action Plan (2019 – 2022). This included two coordination meetings covering Bahrain’s infrastructure development and long-term fiscal security held last week. Commenting on the outcomes of today’s workshop, the Deputy Prime Minister, highlighted that the first workshop represents the commitment of HM the King, HRH the Prime Minister, and HRH the Crown Prince to ensuring a prosperous future for Bahrain’s citizens. The Deputy Prime Minister went on to highlight the significant role of HRH the Crown Prince in directing government officials to lead a series of workshops to identify key objectives for the upcoming Government Action Plan. HE added that this step will directly support the government’s strategic goals, particularly the simplification of processes, modernisation of regulatory frameworks and the fast-tracking of infrastructure development. During the workshop, Mohammed bin Ebrahim Al Mutawa, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs outlined four key policies, identified during the coordination meeting on infrastructure. The policies aim to transform the role of the public sector from the primary engine of economic growth into a private sector enabler and regulator, improve efficiency across government and diversify government revenue streams. The Minister of Cabinet Affairs also highlighted 19 initiatives which underpin these policies, adding that 170 projects will be launched under these initiatives, driving the delivery of improved public services, investment and job opportunities. The Minister of Finance, Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, also gave a presentation during which he highlighted five key policies which had been identified during the coordination meeting on economic development and fiscal security. The policies are designed to accelerate sustainable development and strengthen diversification efforts. Increasing revenues, reducing expenditure, and redirecting subsidies are also key objectives of the five policies. The Minister of Finance went on to add that there are 13 new initiatives that will help achieve these goals, which will be delivered through 84 projects. Under the instructions of Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah, government officials will hold another round of coordination meetings to review and assess the outcomes of the workshops. The final set of policies and initiatives will be announced during February 2018 and will feature the list of priority projects and initiatives, funding framework and plans, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).