Royal directives to form smaller cabinet wise decision

Manama, Sept. 17 (BNA): Information Minister Isa bin Abdulrahman Al-Hammadi said in an interview with Bahrain TV News Centre that the royal directives to form a smaller government is a wise decision which reflects His Majesty the King's far-sighted vision and keenness on a better future for Bahrain and its people. He pointed out that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier had highlighted the financial situation faced currently by Bahrain, adding that HM the King issued his directives in consultation with HRH the Prime Minister. The aim, the minister explained, is to tackle the impact of the challenges posed by volatility of oil prices on the financial situation. The step, he added, sends a clear message that the government will start with itself by downsizing the cabinet in order to deal with the financial challenges. Details, he said, will be revealed later following the consultations. "Bahrain is not isolated from what is faced by the region and there are many decisions taken by neighbouring countries to deal with the financial developments caused by the volatility of oil prices," the minister noted, stressing that the smaller cabinet aims to handle the repercussions of the current financial challenges triggered by a sharp drop in the price of oil from $ 100 a barrel to below $ 50. He said although Bahrain has the most diversified economy in the region, the government revenues depend principally on oil. He pointed out the need to adopt a sustainable financial policy to overcome the current challenges, stressing steps taken towards this goal that include redirecting the government subsidy and ensuring the general budget meets the government's action programme. The minister asserted Bahrain's capability to surmount the current challenges as it did before in the end of the nineties thanks to the statesmanship of the leadership. He added that the development programmes in Bahrain will continue unabated despite the existing challenges thanks to the Gulf Development Programme, the private sector and the government budget earmarked for them. He praised the high awareness of the Bahraini people, underscoring the role of the legislature in making crucial decisions. He also commended Bahrain's advanced democratic experience where the legislative branch plays a key role in taking decisions, adding that other parties in the community, like the civil society, media figures and intellectuals, also have an influential role in boosting awareness of the existing challenges. He emphasised the need for concerted efforts to overcome hardships for a better future for Bahrain and for the citizens.