The government of Bahrain continues its commitment to enhancing transparency and accountability in managing public funds. This effort aligns with the recommendations outlined in the State Audit Bureau’s annual report. The Minister of Shura and Representatives Council Affairs emphasized that the executive branch fully supports the implementation of the Bureau’s observations and recommendations. Strengthening transparency remains one of the government’s top priorities to ensure efficient public resource management in the nation’s best interest.
During a discussion in the House of Representatives, the Minister highlighted the strong cooperation between the executive and legislative branches. This collaboration plays a crucial role in ensuring the proper management of public funds. By adhering to transparency and accountability principles, both branches aim to increase the efficiency of administrative processes.
The Minister pointed out that the government achieved an 84.7% implementation rate of the State Audit Bureau’s recommendations for 2023/2024. This also rate marks a 1.7% increase from the previous year, reflecting the government’s continuous efforts to follow up on and improve all government agency processes. The Minister noted that these results are a direct outcome of effective communication between the Bureau and government agencies, enabling swift action on comments and ensuring optimal implementation.
Transparency and accountability are central to the government’s operations. The Minister explained that the internal investigation process revealed 153 observations, with necessary disciplinary actions taken. Two additional observations were referred to the Ministerial Committee for further investigation. Fortunately, no observations required referral to the Public Prosecution.
Furthermore, the government successfully addressed 315 observations through coordination with relevant agencies. A dedicated electronic system was created to monitor recommendations, resulting in a 90.3% implementation rate. This demonstrates the government’s dedication to improving the management of public funds and its ongoing commitment to transparency.
The Minister also highlighted improvements in audit performance. Compared to the 2012-2013 report, the number of observations decreased by 31%, from 462 to 317. This significant reduction reflects the ongoing success of the government’s efforts to strengthen transparency in public funds management.
Overall, the government remains fully committed to further enhancing transparency and accountability in all sectors of governance. The Minister emphasized that the government will continue to work toward higher levels of efficiency and transparency in managing public resources for the benefit of Bahrain’s citizens.
