Government calls for 50% increase in development projects during first half

A government report emphasized the need for greater effort to advance projects that stimulate the private sector, highlighting that returns on these initiatives, especially public-private partnerships, have not yet met expectations.

The report stressed the importance of increasing momentum to complete preparatory work, launch projects, and streamline approval processes from regulatory authorities for successful implementation.

Furthermore, the report issued by the General Secretariat for Planning, which tracks the progress of annual development plan projects for the first half of 2024/2025, revealed that there are 133 projects with a total financial appropriation of 1.2 billion dinars. Actual spending has reached approximately 111.6 million dinars, or 9.7% of the total. The report also noted that around 50% of the projects are now in the implementation phase, an increase from 46% during the same period last year.

The report indicated that 43 projects are in the preparatory phase, accounting for 32%, while 5 projects are in the delivery phase, representing 4%. Additionally, 2 projects have been completed, making up 2% of the total.
5 Recommendations

The report stressed the importance of implementing several recommendations to ensure the timely completion of the plan’s projects, including:

1. The report emphasized the need for authorities to expedite the completion of draft laws within the plan. It highlighted that 16 draft laws have been pending with the relevant authorities for a long time, requiring renewed efforts to finalize the legislative program for the development plan.
2. The report stressed the necessity of addressing delays in spending on certain projects of the 2024/2025 annual development plan, caused by postponed budgets or approval of disbursements.
3. The report highlighted the need for increased efforts to advance projects that stimulate the private sector, noting that returns from such projects, especially public-private partnerships, have not yet met expectations. It emphasized the importance of accelerating preparatory work, launching these projects, and beginning implementation, while also identifying mechanisms to streamline approvals from regulatory authorities.
4. The report called for obligating the executive bodies involved in the plan to promptly complete their planning structures. This will ensure smooth communication with the preparation and follow-up systems. The General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development is making significant efforts to improve these systems, which has led to better achievement rates by addressing many obstacles early on.
5. The report emphasized the need for radical solutions to address the challenges facing projects in the plan. It pointed out that some projects are experiencing significant delays in their timelines, despite the authorities not reporting any obstacles hindering their progress.

Executive Position

1. By the end of the first half of the 2024/2025 plan year, 49% of the projects in the annual plan are concentrated in the implementation phase.
2. The 2024/2025 annual plan includes 11 new projects, with 28% of them in the implementation phase by the end of the first half of the plan year.
3. A total of 27% of projects are in line with the implementation schedule, an improvement compared to 25% during the same period last year.
4. The spending rate on projects of the Dynamic Private Sector Enhancement Program is the highest among the plan’s programs, reaching 11.6% by the end of the second quarter, followed by projects under the Citizens and Institutions Capacities Enhancement Program at 10.42%.
5. Administrative challenges account for 43% of the total challenges, making them the largest category among the other classifications. The most prominent challenges include delays in necessary licensing and approval procedures, the involvement of multiple granting bodies, delays in the documentary cycle of contractual procedures, and delays in providing essential utilities such as electricity and water to the projects.
6. A total of 77% of the challenges related to project implementation have been successfully overcome.

Source: Al Qabas