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QNA
Doha
The economy remains a matter of prime concern owing to sharp decline in hydrocarbon prices, but Qatar is determined to proceed w
ith development plans to achieve the goals drawn up in Qatar's National Vision, the Emir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani said on Tuesday.
Inaugurating the 45th ordinary session of the Advisory Council, the Emir said,"I congratulate you on the occasion of opening the new session of your esteemed Council. We are confident that the new legislative term will give a big boost to upgrading our legislation to be responsive to our requirements for economic and social development, and help the government implement its annual and future plans and programmes and achieve the objectives of the Qatar National Vision within the specified timelines."
"Frankly speaking, no one expected this fast decline in energy prices. To counter the negative effects of these developments, we have to continue to implement the development process. We are now in the process of launching the second National Development Strategy 2017-22. We have to intensify the efforts," the Emir said.
The Emir highlighted some of the parameters of the second National Development Strategy which include: completing the infrastructure projects for the Qatar World Cup 2022; achieving the education and health projects in a manner that satisfies the needs of citizens, eliminating bureaucratic impediments facing investments; stimulating the private sector and directing it towards the most productive sectors, or service-cum-production ones that are compatible with the National Vision trends; and empowering all segments of society to participate in national development.
The Emir said putting these elements into effect requires the development of the culture of planning, work and accomplishment.
"Sometimes, dear brothers, when I see billboards on the streets that read:"Qatar deserves the best", I say it would be more correct to read:"Qatar deserves the best from its citizens".
"There are challenges that we should tackle, which are related to the values of the youths and the impact of the culture of consumption on these values. Without that we cannot move forward; wealth alone is not sufficient. Citizenship is an affiliation, which incorporates rights on the part of the State as well as duties towards the community and the State," the Emir said.
"We have taken advantage of the drop in prices to explore the potential for rationalising spending, and distinguishing necessary from the unnecessary. Work will continue on increasing the efficiency of public spending and enhancing transparency and control through a close follow-up of all government projects and programmes and focusing on major development projects. The synergy between fiscal and monetary policies to fight inflation, tackle liquidity pressures and strengthen the banking sector has been promoted," the Emir said.
The Emir said Qatar has made great efforts to strengthen the private sector and increase its participation in the economic activity.
The Emir said Qatar has taken important steps to rationalise spending. It has to combine the evolution of a modern and distinctive public sector mainly benchmarked against success, with encouraging the private sector to implement projects and programmes set by the national strategies that aim at achieving sustainable prosperity. But this development process will not succeed without the cooperation of everyone.
