Bahrain’s Fiscal Balance Program

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE FINANCE MINISTERS OF SAUDI ARABIA, KUWAIT AND THE UAE REGARDING BAHRAIN’S FISCAL BALANCE PROGRAM

The Ministers of Finance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the State of Kuwait, and the Kingdom of Bahrain met on October 19, 2021 to discuss the latest developments regarding Bahrain’s Fiscal Balance Program in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Arab Monetary Fund attended the meeting as an advisory body providing assessment of the program achievements. They reviewed the latest developments on the program's initiatives in light of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of the program, with a view to achieve a fiscal balance between government revenues and expenditures in the year 2024.

The ministers welcomed the efforts made by the government of Bahrain in implementing the Fiscal Balance Program, and the progress made by the government despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministers affirmed their support to the Kingdom of Bahrain’s efforts in pursuing further reforms to enhance fiscal stability and strengthen sustainable economic growth.