MANAMA: Information Affairs Minister Isa Abdulrahman Al-Hammadi has underlined the cooperation between the executive and legislative branches in preparing the general budget for the two fiscal years 2015 and 2016.
He said at the post-Cabinet press conference, attended today by the Transportation and Telecommunications Minister that work was in full swing to reach a consensus on principles and strategic priorities.
“The budget draft law will be submitted to the legislature within the next few weeks as the government is constitutionally mandated to do so.”
He pointed out that approval of the budget is strongly linked to the implementation of projects, provision of services for citizens and a vigorous economy as many ventures depend on the government spending.
He pointed out a recent meeting between the Ministerial Committee for Financial Affairs and Budgeting, which is chaired by Deputy Premier Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, and some members of the Representatives and Shura Councils. He also praised cooperation between the executive and legislative branches when endorsing the government’s work programme which was amended before being voted on in the Representatives Council.
The Minister said the budget is one of the executive tools for the government work programme, pointing out that its endorsement requires approval of the legislative branch. He explained that a large part of the government revenues depend on oil. Yet, it is hard at the present time to determine the price of the barrel in the budget. The minister pointed out that this issue will be discussed when submitting the budget draft law to the Representatives and Shura Councils soon.
Regarding Bahrain’s stance towards the international campaign on the terror group “Daesh”, and the possibility of the Kingdom’s participation against it in Libya, the minister stressed that in case there is a Bahraini effort with the international alliance elsewhere in the world, this will be announced by the competent authorities.
He also affirmed that Bahrain is part of the international drive on “Daesh” and terrorism.