Manama:Assigned by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of the Royal Court, received the 23rd audited financial statements of the National Audit Office (NAO) for the fiscal year 2025/2026. The documents were presented by Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Auditor-General of the NAO.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed praised the comprehensive nature of the report, which encompasses public sector performance analysis, findings, indicators, and observations. These elements are instrumental in identifying areas for development, improving service quality, and ensuring the optimal use of public resources.
Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed expressed gratitude for the sustained support from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the active follow-up by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. This support has significantly contributed to advancing the NAO's work and enhancing its capability to keep pace with developments in auditing.
Furthermore, Shaikh Ahmed emphasized the necessity of a robust audit approach that anticipates risks, sets priorities, and analyzes data to direct resources effectively. He highlighted the importance of not only identifying issues and recommending improvements but also evaluating their impact and addressing the root causes of deficiencies to prevent recurrence.
He also pointed out that the audit results serve as a foundation for learning and recognizing best practices. Protecting public funds includes ensuring that public resources are used economically, efficiently, and effectively, linking them to expected outcomes.
Shaikh Ahmed further explained that the NAO has enhanced its audit processes by incorporating data, modern technologies, and artificial intelligence, while maintaining professional verification and sound audit judgment. Investment in national talent and the development of tools and methodologies are ongoing to address emerging risks and challenges.
Lastly, Shaikh Ahmed noted that the evolution of audit work aligns with transformations in the Kingdom, bolstering the NAO's response to developments and meeting current needs. The NAO has also played a role in enhancing the skills of employees in entities under its oversight through specialized training courses.
Source Bahrain News Agency