Kuwaiti cabinet endorses 2015-2016 development plan, draft budget

The cabinet on Wednesday approved the draft 2015-2016 national development plan and referred it to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
During a joint meeting with the Supreme Council for Planning and Development (SCPD) on Wednesday, the cabinet also approved the 2015-2016 draft budget, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Minister of State for Planning and Development Hind Sabeeh Al-Sabeeh told reporters after the meeting.
The 2015-2016 draft plan and the draft budget were the focus of the meeting held at Bayan Palace and chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Al-Sabeeh said in a press statement.
This is the first executive plan for the mid-term development plan 2015/2016-2019/2020, she added.
Al-Sabeeh noted that the meeting briefed on the orientations, policies and goals of the plan, established on a basis that is likely to achieve justice and make use of past experience.
Today's review addressed the vision of the plan and its strategic targets, namely boosting GDP and improving citizens' standard of living through incentive mechanisms, supporting human and social development and developing housing policies, government administration and enhancing Arab and Muslim identities, she stressed.
It also tackled the goals of the various sectors and strategic projects, Al-Sabeeh said, adding that development targets the northern part of the country and electricity, water, oil services, as well as education, health, transport, tourism sectors and the environment.
Improving investment environment, repairing the imbalances of the labor market and upgrading government performance are also major goals, together with boosting youth capabilities and empowerment.
Participants in the meeting discussed the legislative requirements necessary for achieving the p goals and projects of the plan, together with its financial implications, she said.
Then the cabinet and the SCPD were briefed by the Minister of Finance Anas Khaled Al-Saleh, and the Ministry's Undersecretary Khalifa Hamada on the details of the 2015-2016 draft budget.
Hamada's review of the budget skeleton covered expected revenues, the basis followed when preparing it, the current and capital expenditure of the various chapters, the Minister said.
She noted that the budget goes in line with the present conditions in the country.