"The Financial Observers" Launches a Development Plan to Enhance Integrity, Transparency, and Governance in Government Entities

Al-Rifai: Enhancing Government Financial Management is a Pillar of Reform, Development, and Protection of Public Funds

Al-Suhaili: “Financial Auditors” Preserved Approximately 1.5 Billion Dinars of Public Funds

The Financial Auditors Agency launched its development plan through the “Enhancing Integrity, Transparency, and Governance in the Financial Performance of Government Entities” program. Spanning four fiscal years from April 2026 to March 2030, the initiative aims to annually enhance the efficiency and capabilities of 400 government financial employees through 20 specialized practical workshops, alongside providing consultations on developing five legislations annually.

Minister of Finance Dr. Yaqoub Al-Rifai emphasized during the opening ceremony of the agency’s workshops for state entities that elevating the government financial management system and enhancing its efficiency and effectiveness constitute a fundamental pillar in the reform and development process. This reflects the state’s commitment to strengthening the principles of integrity, transparency, and governance, as well as consolidating the optimal use of public resources and safeguarding public funds.

Al-Rifai stated that the role of the Financial Auditors Agency serves as a central axis in supporting this system, through its supervisory and financial responsibilities, reinforcing compliance with legislations and regulations, and providing advice and guidance to government entities. These efforts contribute to improving the quality of financial performance and enhancing the efficiency of state resource utilization.

He added that launching the development plan translates the trend toward continuously improving government performance, investing in national competencies, and keeping pace with changes and developments in financial management and supervision, in alignment with the objectives of Kuwait Vision 2035.

The Finance Minister stressed that the success of financial performance development efforts requires the integration of roles among various state agencies and institutions, working with a spirit of teamwork. He affirmed that developing financial performance is a shared responsibility, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the efficiency of state institutions, protecting their assets, and supporting their development trajectory.

For her part, Acting Head of the Financial Auditors Agency, Nida Al-Suhaili, confirmed that launching the “Enhancing Integrity, Transparency, and Governance in the Financial Performance of Government Entities” program represents a significant milestone in the agency’s journey. She noted that the program aims to transition from the concept of procedural supervision to a broader concept based on capacity building, prevention, knowledge dissemination, and consolidating sound financial practices.

Al-Suhaili stated that the program spans four fiscal years, from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2030, providing a timeframe for gradual and sustainable work, measuring results, and developing tools and practices according to updates in the government work environment.

She clarified that the program is linked to two fundamental pillars of the development plan: “Effective Government Management,” through building institutional capacities characterized by efficiency, governance, integrity, and transparency in managing public funds; and “Creative Human Capital,” by investing in government financial cadres and qualifying them to keep pace with modern developments in financial management, supervision, and governance.

She added that the program is also linked to the concept of the knowledge economy by enhancing specialized financial knowledge, leveraging best practices, and utilizing financial and technical analysis tools, thereby supporting the quality of financial decision-making and raising the efficiency of public expenditure.

Al-Suhaili pointed out that the objective of the initiative extends beyond conducting workshops; it aims to build sustainable institutional impact reflected in the daily practices of employees in financial sectors, the quality of procedures and systems, the level of compliance with legislations and directives, and the efficiency of public resource management.

The agency revealed that the Financial Supervision Authority, since its establishment nearly a decade ago, has contributed to preventing or correcting erroneous financial measures before their implementation through the prior and preventive supervision exercised by financial controllers. This effort has helped safeguard approximately 1.5 billion dinars of public funds.

It clarified that discovering financial irregularities after disbursement often necessitates corrective actions, which may lead to the recovery of funds, accountability measures, or legal disputes, thereby imposing additional financial and administrative costs on the state. In contrast, prior supervision helps identify discrepancies before the completion of disbursements or commitments, preventing waste before it occurs.

The agency emphasized that this achievement embodies the value of preventive supervision and its role in enhancing the efficiency of public expenditure and achieving optimal resource utilization. It noted that the next phase aims to continue this role using more advanced tools, broader partnerships, and greater investment in knowledge and human capabilities.

For his part, Abdulrahman Al-Hadab, Head of the Administrative Development Department and Director of the “Enhancing Integrity, Transparency, and Governance in Financial Performance of Government Entities” program, stated that the program was designed according to quantitative and qualitative targets that facilitate the transition from planning to implementation, measurement, and performance development based on actual results.

Al-Hadab explained that the program aims annually to enhance the efficiency and capabilities of 400 financial staff members from various government entities. This is achieved through conducting 20 specialized practical workshops in financial and supervisory fields, alongside providing consultations on the development of five legislations annually.

He highlighted that the program aims to practically measure the impact of the workshops by achieving an improvement of no less than 30% in the financial performance evaluation results of employees after participation, compared to pre-participation evaluation results. This makes training a tool for generating tangible and measurable development in knowledge, skills, and practice.

He pointed out that the plan for the first year, 2026/2027, includes 20 specialized workshops covering topics such as addressing observations and reservations contained in the Authority’s reports, procurement committee operations and practices, tenders, financial and governmental accounting, artificial intelligence and its applications in accounting and auditing, internal audit, risk management, budget preparation, monitoring government contracts, financial investigation, combating corruption and money laundering, and other related subjects.

He noted that some workshops will be repeated to broaden the scope of benefit and allow participation by the largest possible number of targeted employees. The program will also monitor the level of improvement after workshop implementation, analyze participant feedback, and utilize evaluation results to continuously develop the content.

Al-Hadab affirmed that the program aims to enhance financial performance efficiency in government entities, strengthen governance and compliance with financial regulations, and build qualified national cadres capable of applying best practices. This supports transparency and financial discipline, contributing to improved public expenditure efficiency and enhancing the business and investment environment.

The program comes within the framework of the Financial Supervision Authority’s direction to enhance its preventive and developmental role, develop the capabilities of employees in government entities, and consolidate more efficient and transparent financial practices. This supports financial and administrative reform efforts and the development trajectory of the State of Kuwait.