The Cabinet has, today, decided to establish a National Planning Council.

The National Planning Council’s mandate includes formulating and coordinating national development policies, establishing national development targets and deadlines. Its mandate also includes consulting and determining regional development plans based on resource availability in the regions.

The National Planning Council will be headed by the President. Other members in the Council include the Vice President, and members of the Cabinet. In addition, two members will be nominated from the civil society and the private sector.

The Cabinet also discussed preparing the national budget to enable the implementation of regional development projects. Members also discussed establishing emergency measures in situations of shortage of safe drinking water in any of the islands.

At today’s meeting, members of the Cabinet were allowed time to address queries to the President as the procedure has been approved recently.