Latest news with #ParliamentandShuraCouncil
Zawya
26-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Bahrain's MPs approve 2025-2026 national state budget
Bahrain - Thirty-three MPs approved the 2025-2026 national state budget during yesterday's session. Six MPs rejected the move, while only Parliament's public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman MP Bader Al Tamimi was absent. According to the draft, the total spending budget for both this year and the next will be BD8.916 billion, divided into BD4.379bn this year and BD4.536bn the next. The government is anticipating general revenues of around BD6.383bn – BD2.924bn this year and BD3.459bn the next. Present during the weekly session was an eight-member ministerial team led by Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa. He reaffirmed that the government operated under the leadership's directives ensuring that all projects and programmes were designed to benefit citizens, enhance living standards and create new opportunities. He outlined the government's approach to gradually reducing the deficit without affecting citizens' well-being, price stability or the availability of essential goods. 'There are multiple options to address the deficit,' he added. 'It is much higher than it should be, but we must work together on sustainable solutions that do not negatively impact people,' Shaikh Salman explained. He also confirmed direct cash support suggested for low-income citizens in case of changes to subsidised commodity prices had been removed during this budget cycle, keeping things as they are. Shaikh Salman provided an insight into efforts to diversify government revenues, highlighting an increase in the share of non-oil revenues. 'The ministries worked relentlessly throughout Ramadan to ensure all required information and figures were provided quickly,' he added. 'I extend my sincere gratitude to my team at the ministry, all ministers and their teams. 'This has been a shared effort, and we look forward to continuing this fruitful co-operation for the benefit of the country and its people.' Cabinet Affairs Minister Hamad Al Malki, who is politically responsible for Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, highlighted the role of Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund in supporting economic projects. Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain, who is politically responsible for the Civil Service Commission, said plans were ongoing to train Bahrainis to fill government jobs and reduce the reliance on expatriates. The budget will be debated and voted on during an extraordinary Shura Council session tomorrow. Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Bahrain records 23% drop in expat civil servants
Bahrain - The number of expatriate workers in Bahrain's civil service has dropped by 23 per cent from 2019, MPs have been told. Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain, who is also politically responsible for the Civil Service Commission, said in a written response to two parliamentary questions, that the number currently stood at 5,800 expats compared to 7,582 expats in 2019. 'The 5,800 is just 14pc of the total workforce in the civil service with the rest of 86pc being nationals,' he added. 'The government is working to reduce the number further and replace expats with more qualified Bahrainis under a comprehensive strategy and executive plan. 'Around 58.5pc of the expats are in the educational and higher education jobs, 31.5pc are in medical professions and 10pc in miscellaneous sectors. 'We have advertised jobs for Bahrainis in genome and molecular biology, veterinary medicine, geology and hydrogeology, agricultural engineering and sciences, marine sciences, groundwater and land surveying, well excavation and discovery, but it was difficult to find suitable candidates.' The minister will be available during today's weekly session to comment on any further queries from the chamber's foreign affairs, defence and national security committee vice-chairman Hassan Ibrahim and services committee vice-chairman Mohammed Al Olaiwi, who had asked the questions. The two questions replace three queries originally directed at Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Nawaf Al Maawda, who apologised in writing for not being able to attend the Parliament session as he was busy with delegates attending the Islamic Dialogue Conference to be held tomorrow and on Thursday. Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, who is on an official visit abroad, also apologised for being unable to attend the weekly session. However, he named senior officials to respond to queries the MPs may have on topics related to his ministry. Meanwhile, Parliament is set to vote to refer to the relevant committee for review amendments to the 1973 Advertisements Law referred by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. MPs will also vote to refer a mutual investment protection and encouragement agreement between Bahrain and South Korea presented by HRH Prince Salman to the relevant committee for review. Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
