LOC14:47
11:47 GMT
KUWAIT, March 18 (KUNA)-- His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah headed a meeting on Thursday, grouping top state officials for the first time, to brief them on the state's annual and five-year plans.
In a speech at the beginning of the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Nasser said that the state's development plan was a "plan for the nation" and not limited to certain institutions, because "we are all partners in this country." He hoped that this development plan would be put into effect, in the interest of our nation and its people, under the wise rule of His Highness the Amir and His Highness the Crown Prince.
"We have said before that the planning phase is over, thanks to the efforts of the members of the Higher Council for Planning and the cooperation of officials in ministries and government institutions. After this was approved by our partner in development, the National Assembly, the time has come to reiterate that the phase of execution has begun, and it was a successful launch that we hope will continue so that we may achieve our aspirations," he said.
His Highness Sheikh Nasser said, however, that achievements required a clear vision, solid will and serious work, as well as a consolidation of efforts of all institutions and individuals in order to reach the aspired goals.
"We are aware that this ambitious plan cannot be realized without constant and constructive cooperation - within the framework of the law and the constitution - with members of the National Assembly, the Audit Bureau, and the Central Tender Committee," he added.
Moreover, His Highness the Premier said that he looked to this new phase with "hope and confidence" that it would continue to push forth development so that Kuwait may invest in its resources and capabilities.
He said that today's meeting was "to call on each of you to bear your responsibilities towards the implementation of the development plan, because it is a plan for the nation for the nation and is not limited to certain institutions, since we are all partners in this country." His Highness Sheikh Nasser noted that the regional and international challenges surrounding was a driving force forward, towards executing projects and government development plans in all fields.
On his part, Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs, State Minister for Development Affairs and State Minister for Housing Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said that there were 798 construction projects worth KD 4.
788 billion for the fiscal year 2010-2011.
He noted that this was twice the cost of the projects in the previous fiscal year.
Sheikh Ahmad also said that the Fourth Chapter of the State's Budget (on allocated budgets for projects) went from KD 1.2 billion in 2009-2010 to KD 2.
1 billion in 2010-2011, at an increase of 80 percent, excluding independent institutions like Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and others.
The deputy premier explained that the plan was divided into several economic sectors, based on 330 policies that, if realized, would constitute the first step towards the aspired vision for 2035.
The policies have been supported by 45 laws within the plan, to create a new philosophy for more than one sector, he explained.
This new philosophy, he said, relied on indicator planning and not comprehensive planning, introducing a strategic change in the planning methodology.
The plan was welcomed by the legislative and executive authorities, and was approved by a consensus, he said.
Moreover, Sheikh Ahmad said that the Higher Council for Planning, when placing this new vision, bore in mind the call of His Highness the Amir to transform Kuwait into a financial center.
The plan is a bold one and tackled some of the existing infrastructure and service problems "directly," he said, signaling a confession by the Higher Council for Planning, a courageous acceptance by the Cabinet, and a welcome of change by the National Assembly.
The deputy premier also said that the plan's philosophy was based on qualitative selection of comprehensive government services, such that the private sector would play a role in building the country's national economy through offering direct support.
He explained that the plan sought to place laws that achieved certain policies, through restructuring the transport and the stock exchange authorities, among others.
The role of the private sector must be governed by laws, and citizens must hold 50 percent of the shares of these companies, he said.
He revealed that the plan incorporated the privatization of five public sectors, namely housing, electricity, ports, warehouses and health insurance.
The plan seeks to create an attractive atmosphere for private investment in order to change the outline of the non-oil budge, he said.
Furthermore, he said that the annual plan had not realized all aspirations, but had achieved a large number of them, adding that the government issued seven orders with which it launched the plan, and tasked the Government Performance Assessment Apparatus to follow up this matter in coordination with the Public Planning Authority.
Sheikh Ahmad, moreover, said that the Civil Service Commission had been tasked with overseeing that criteria for appointing people in leading positions were adhered to, adding that accountability was a major element in the plan.
The meeting was attended by ministers, members of the Higher Council for Planning, head of the Audit Bureau, and the chairman and members of the Municipal Council. (end) mge.ema KUNA 181647 Mar 10NNNN