Shura Council praises draft budget for 2021
THE Shura Council on Monday discussed the draft General State Budget for the fiscal year 2021 and the draft law approving it.
The Shura Council meeting was attended by Minister of Finance HE Ali bin Shareef Al Emadi, President of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) Dr Saad bin Ahmed Al Mohannadi, and a number of senior officials at the Ministry of Finance and Ashghal.
The Minister of Finance explained the government’s view on the draft budget and answered the questions and queries raised by the members of the council.
Shura Council Speaker HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud said the state budget for 2021 is a result of HH the Amir’s directives, foremost of which is the need to adhere to proper planning, long-term vision and rationalisation of government spending associated with higher efficiency of the public sector, to enhance economic diversity, to increase labour productivity and efficiency in the public sector, and to encourage the private sector to invest.
In this way, it embodies the visions and ideas present
ed by HH the Amir, the first and foremost aim of which is to develop the country and serve the citizen, he said.
The speaker said the draft budget, which is characterised by clarity and transparency, is based on adopting the principle of medium-term planning for the general budget, and on requiring all ministries and government bodies to stick to financial ceilings and continuing to allocate financial resources to complete the implementation of strategic projects in accordance with the Qatar Vision 2030, especially those related to hosting World Cup 2022 and the health and education sectors.
In addition, it requires all ministries and government bodies to allocate necessary
financial resources to develop new citizens’ lands and infrastructure for existing areas, supporting initiatives to develop the business environment to enhance the role of the private sector and its participation in various economic activitie.
After extensive discussions that reflected a deep understanding of the budget’s objectives, pillars and projects, the Shura Council praised the draft state budget for the fiscal year 2021, and praised the efforts of the government and what has been implemented in terms of plans and programmes within the framework of the National Development Strategy 20182022 and Qatar National Vision 2030.
THE Shura Council on Monday participated in a parliamentary workshop on ‘The role of Arab parliaments in protecting the rights of the elderly’, which was organised virtually by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in cooperation with the Arab League and the Arab States Regional Office of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Discussions during the workshop focused on the crucial role of parliaments in expressing the priorities and issues of the elderly and advancing their rights by allocating financial resources and ensuring legislative laws that meet their needs, especially during the period of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Shura Council was represented in the workshop by HE Abdullah bin Khalid Al Mana and HE Saqr bin Fahad Al Muraikhi.