At the invitation of HE the Advisory Council Speaker Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani attended a meeting held yesterday to discuss the government’s plan and programme in view of the regional and international developments, especially the siege imposed on the country.
At the outset of the meeting, HE the Speaker praised the directives of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani when he addressed the council at the opening of this current session, adding that the council, in co-operation with the government, is working to implement them.
The Advisory Council Speaker, on his behalf and on behalf of the council’s members, welcomed HE the Prime Minister and expressed his thanks for his response to the council’s invitation to attend its session.
He said that the Advisory Council is following with appreciation the great efforts and professional action of the Council of Ministers and those of HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister to sustain the progress of the country, adding that the council’s members are looking forward to hearing from the Prime Minister on views, suggestions and inquiries presented by members.
HE the Prime Minister presented the government’s plan and programme in all fields, stressing that all projects are progressing within the framework of the designed plans in accordance with the directives of His Highness the Emir, and in co-ordination between the various government bodies, despite the unjust siege imposed on the country.
His Excellency added that the loyal people of Qatar and residents here have turned the siege into a driving force for more work, production and self-reliance, stressing the government’s attention to the views and proposals presented by the Advisory Council.
The meeting, which discussed a wide range of issues, was attended by HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and members of the Advisory Council. It was characterised by openness, clarity and objectivity on a number of issues of concern to the country and the citizen.
Discussions included Qatar National Vision 2030, the National Development Strategy 2011-2016 and what achieved in its programmes, as well as the key features of the Second National Development Strategy 2018-2022.
They also addressed health issues and great achievements in this area and how to maintain and continue to develop and update them, in addition to addressing negative aspects that may face the health sector.
In this regard, the Prime Minister explained that several major hospitals and centres were opened in 2017, including new women’s hospital, ambulatory care centre, Qatar rehabilitation centre, infectious diseases hospital, elderly care centre, the orthopedic centre and the children’s health centre in Al Sadd.
Hamad General Hospital’s operations services have been expanded, His Excellency said, adding that this year will see the opening of Hazm Mbeirek hospital and a number of health centres.
Qatar Foundation’s Sidra hospital was also launched, he said.
In the first quarter of 2019, Ras Laffan hospitals will open with a capacity of 118 beds, Mesaieed hospital with a capacity of 118 as well, and the new emergency centre at Hamad General Hospital, which is one of the biggest state-of-the-art emergency centres in the world.
The workforce of physicians, nurses and managerial staff will also grow in order to serve these new facilities.
HE Sheikh Abdullah said that the health insurance law is in the final stages and will be referred to the Advisory Council.
The session also discussed educational issues as the premier announced in this regard the expansion in establishing schools and universities in order to serve the growing number of citizens and residents and be a transformation in the field of education, in addition to going back to the government schools’ system, while attracting private schools known for qualitative education and developing policies and measures to reach competency and job stability for school staff as well as upgrading electronic services.
In addition, the session touched on government services and directing all government service agencies to provide excellent services to beneficiaries, whether citizens or residents, and to provide the services through one place to make it easier for the beneficiaries and get them at the nearest place to their residence through 11 government service complexes in different regions of the country.
The session also highlighted the need to pay attention to the swift processing of procedures in order to save the citizen’s time and the need to provide special sections in ministries and state institutions to receive complaints from citizens and work to resolve them.
HE the premier stressed that work is under way to control the prices of consumer goods, especially the basic ones, noting that they are now at the normal situation and there is constant price control by the government.
As for infrastructure projects, which are being successfully implemented and in terms of addressing obstacles and compliance with timetables set for execution, HE the prime minister said that 90% of the infrastructure projects and roads will be completed in June.
He pointed out that the government has allocated 10,000 land plots for the housing of citizens, while another 8,000 plots are being co-ordinated.
Moreover, the session reviewed government plans to enhance the private sector’s contribution to the national economy and being more involved in some projects, in addition to the business environment facilitation programme.
HE the premier said that under the unjust siege imposed on the country, the government diversified the sources of imports, supported and encouraged national industries and opened the way to the private sector for export within the framework of the government’s policy of self-reliance.
HE Sheikh Abdullah added that through the private sector and project support committee, the government follows up on everything related to the involvement of the private sector in state-implemented projects and giving this sector the largest share.
Additionally, the session discussed the programme on facilitating business environment procedures, with HE the premier pointing out that licences were granted for small- and medium-sized enterprises through a single window within 72 hours.
At the end of the session, HE Speaker of the Advisory Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud thanked HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani for attending the Council’s meeting and for the detailed explanation given on the government’s plans and programmes and the important information provided on various issues of national action internally and externally.