NAO participates in international webinar, showcases Bahrain’s COVID-19 comprehensive response

Manama, Apr. 14 (BNA): The National Audit Office (NAO), today participated in an international multilateral webinar and gave a presentation on Bahrain's comprehensive response in addressing the challenges presented by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. During the virtual seminar on “Covid-19: Business and Industry Support, Digitalization and Innovation Development” organized by the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, currently the chair of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), Mr. Ahmed Buti, Audit Manager at the Regulatory Audit Directorate, indicated the precautions and health measures Bahrain had taken as well as the economic stimulus package provided to citizens and to various market sectors to support the national economy and mitigate the effects of the global pandemic. Mr. Buti highlighted that the health of all citizens and residents remains the Kingdom’s top priority, adding that free vaccinations are offered to all, with an option of choosing between 5 vaccines. Mr. Buti stressed that these measures coincided with developments on IT infrastructure to facilitate telecommuting, a measure widely used to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19. Summing up, Mr. Buti stated that Bahrain was a successful example for the region and the international community in facing and managing the pandemic and that it had received international praise from various organisations including the International Monetary Fund which declared that “Bahrain moved quickly to address the health, social and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting lives and livelihoods. Swift and well-coordinated policy response has helped to limit the spread by vaccinations and target income and liquidity support to those most in need." The on-line symposium, which was attended by more than 200 people representing the supreme audit institutions of Bahrain, China, Russia, India, Slovenia and Indonesia, discussed countries' experiences in facing the global pandemic, including auditing business and industry support measures, the impact of the global pandemic on the economies and on different industries and business sectors, particularly on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).