His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has lauded the professionalism of the National Audit Office (NAO)'s President and staff, and their efforts to develop auditing mechanisms.
He said that their efforts in preparing annual reports had contributed effectively in preserving public money, and supported the government's efforts to improve the financial and administrative performance among ministries and public departments.
He affirmed that the culture of spending had declined, while the culture of rationalisation was promoted as a result of annual audit reports, praising the crucial role played by NAO in conserving public funds and protecting them from being misused.
This came as HRH Premier received here today NAO President Hassan bin Khalifa Al-Jalahma, who submitted to him the 2013-2014 audit report.
HRH Premier lauded the tremendous efforts exerted by NAO President and staff.
He emphasised that the government had dealt with NAO's previous reports with utmost transparency and professionalism, established a sound method in dealing with the remarks and recommendations featuring in them, and taken strict accountability measures against whoever found guilty of negligence regarding public money management, stressing that the government's procedures covered all.
Following the audience, NAO President affirmed continuous cooperation with the Executive Branch, with which NAO shares the goal of achieving national interests and preserving public funds.
He underlined NAO's commitment to international auditing standards and the criteria set by International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI).
He said that he was informed about HRH Premier's directives concerning the report's remarks and recommendations.
He added that HRH Premier had reiterated the government's interest in implementing the recommendations for the sake of upgrading performance and consolidating the values of transparency, fairness and public money conservation.