Shura Council Approves Draft State Budget for the Fiscal Year 2022

The Shura Council held Monday its regular weekly session, chaired by HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanem, and unanimously agreed to hold it confidentially. At the outset of the session, HE Secretary-General of the Shura Council Ahmed bin Nasser Al Fadhala read the meeting's agenda. Last meeting's minutes were also ratified. After that, and in the presence of HE Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari and a number of senior officials in the Ministry, the council discussed draft state budget for the fiscal year 2022, and the draft law approving the general budget, as His Excellency gave a full explanation of the draft budget, and answered the questions and inquiries of the members of the Council. At the beginning of the discussion, HE Speaker of the Shura Council praised the wise leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, expressing the council's pride in the rational policies of HH the Amir, both internally and externally, which reflect the state of Qatar's prestigious global stature, and its distinguished achievements in various fields. In this regard, His Excellency pointed out that the draft state budget for the fiscal year 2022 highlights the special care that HH the Amir pays to the public sectors included in this budget, which will have a good impact on the country and the citizen. HE Speaker of the Shura Council stated that the economy and the states budget are in a good position, despite the repercussions of the Coronavirus pandemic on the global economy in general, noting that global indicators and international credit ratings for the financial situation of the State of Qatar are very good the matter that reflects the strength of the economic sector in the country, thanks to God and the efforts of the rational leadership. HE Speaker of the Shura Council explained that the budget came as an embodiment of the directives of HH the Amir, which was based on the need to adhere to proper planning according to a long-term vision, rationalizing government spending, while being keen on raising the efficiency of the public sector and promoting economic diversification, in conjunction with increasing the productivity and quality of work in the public sector. In the same context, the members of the council discussions focused on the foundations on which the draft state budget for the fiscal year 2022 was based, foremost of which is the adoption of the principle of medium-term planning for the general budget and the obligation of government agencies to set financial ceilings for the fiscal years 2022-2024, and focusing on projects in the health and education sectors, completing projects related to hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and continuing to work on achieving development goals related to the National Development Strategy 2018-2022 and Qatar National Vision 2030. In their interventions, the members affirmed their appreciation for the gains and achievements, especially in the areas of health, education and infrastructure, looking forward to further development in these and other areas, to meet the aspirations of citizens, especially with regard to speedy medical appointments. With regard to our graduate sons, the members stressed the need for budgets in the coming years to take into account their absorption in various work sites that are commensurate with their qualifications, in addition to increasing attention to the policy of Qatarization of jobs in accordance with the studied plans. They also called for the need to pay attention to the private sector, strengthen its partnership with the government sector, and study the difficulties it faces, stressing the need to link the budget to the goals and initiatives of the National Development Strategy 2018-2022 and Qatar National Vision 2030. After extensive discussions that reflected a deep understanding of the budget's objectives, pillars and projects, the Council praised the draft state budget for the fiscal year 2022 and praised the efforts of the esteemed government and the plans and programs it has implemented within the framework of its National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030, and what it seeks in order to achieve the elevation of the country and the welfare of the citizen. In light of this, the Shura Council praised the integration and cooperation with the esteemed government to achieve this goal, in accordance with the wise directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. At the end of the session, the Council approved the draft state budget for the fiscal year 2022 and the draft law approving the general budget.