Abu dhabi: The third edition of the Arab Financial Forum for the Sharjah Award for Public Finance commenced in Tangier, Morocco. Organised by the Sharjah Finance Department (SFD) in partnership with the Arab Administrative Development Organisation (ARADO), the forum operates under the theme ‘Distinguished Experiences in Developing Public Finance.’
According to Emirates News Agency, the forum serves as a prominent platform for exchanging expertise among Arab nations, gathering ministers, senior officials, decision-makers, and financial experts from the region to highlight pioneering experiences and adopt global best practices in government financial management. The opening session featured high-level participation, including speeches from Dr Amal El Falah El Saghrouchni, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government of Morocco in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, and Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Minister of Economy and Finance of Morocco.
Dr Nasser Al Hatlan Al Qahtani, Director General of the Arab Administrative Development Organisation, in his keynote address, underscored the importance of the forum, noting the participation of representatives from ministries, financial authorities, and institutions from 13 Arab countries. He highlighted the forum as a crucial platform to showcase successful Arab experiences in advancing public finance and to foster collaboration for developing innovative financial policies in the Arab world.
Sheikh Rashid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Award for Public Finance, emphasized the role of public finance as a cornerstone for societal stability and a key instrument for achieving sustainable development in a rapidly changing global economic landscape. He stressed that such forums are strategic platforms for exchanging experiences, unifying visions, and formulating practical solutions to enhance the efficiency of Arab financial systems.
Ahmed Laamoumri and Abdellatif Afailal, representing Morocco’s National Authority for Integrity and Chamber of Commerce respectively, affirmed the forum’s role as an advanced model of Arab cooperation in public finance and its potential for enhancing financial and administrative reforms based on transparency and good governance.
Waleed Al Sayegh, Director General of the Sharjah Finance Department, presented Sharjah’s pioneering experience in performance-based budgeting, illustrating its impact on financial planning efficiency and resource allocation. He emphasized that this approach reflects Sharjah Government’s vision of promoting spending efficiency and adopting innovative financial tools for transparency and sustainability in managing public funds.
Al Sayegh further explained that the performance-based budgeting approach signifies a qualitative leap toward linking development plans with measurable outcomes, aligning with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. He stressed the need for strong political will and a dedicated framework for the successful implementation of performance-based budgeting, including continuous training and benchmarking across functional levels to adapt to evolving challenges.