HRH Premier affirms private sector role in development

Manama, Apr. 10 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has underlined the importance of the role played by the private sector in the kingdom's economic development march, which, he said, requires the business and economic community to unify stances and be unified for the best interests of the nation and its economy. The situation the world and the region are going through, and its effects on the national economy, require everyone to overcome the challenges, he said, stressing that there is no room for differences that may create a new challenge that adds to those already resulting from the global economic situation, which, he stressed, will make it difficult to deal with the current developments. HRH Premier made the statements as he received at the Gudaibiya Palace today a number of senior state officials, businessmen and Press figures. HRH Premier reviewed with the audience the efforts exerted by the government to strengthen monitoring of its departments to make sure that public money is spent in an institutional manner that achieves its efforts to reduce and rationalise spending without affecting the development process. In this regard, HRH Premier praised the role played by the president and affiliates of the National Audit Office for their constant support to the government's efforts to enhance financial control. The Prime Minister lauded the role played by the local and GCC press establishments and their keenness to assume their responsibilities amid the current circumstances to the extent that they have become basic partners in adopting ideas and visions on ways to overcome the multiple challenges created by the current situation. Reviewing the regional and global developments, HRH Premier affirmed that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a strong entity with a significant regional and international influence, noting that the relations between GCC leaders and peoples are capable of creating a cooperation system that lead to more achievements and gains that fulfill the GCC citizens' aspirations for a better future. In this context, HRH Premier affirmed that the Bahraini-Kuwaiti relations are specific at the bilateral and GCC levels, stressing that are based on a long history laden with milestones and joint landmark achievements.