‘Economic laws need more time for review’

TDT | Manama

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The head and members of the Shura Council’s Financial and Economic Affairs Committee said laws with an economic or trade focus must be handled with care, arguing that any text put forward needs time in committee so it can balance economic growth with sustainable development.

In a statement yesterday, the committee said this is the yardstick it uses when weighing draft laws and proposals.

It said that taking time and exercising full care during review helps ensure any law, if issued, is well made, lasts, and meets the aims it was written for.

The committee said its work follows a set process laid down in the Shura Council’s Rules of Procedure.

Before issuing any recommendation, it said it completes the steps needed to study each draft in a detailed and full way.

That includes checking a draft’s constitutional and legal soundness through the Council’s Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee.

Review

It also said it reviews the views and proposals of relevant bodies, and takes account of the views of Shura Council members if a draft is raised during a sitting.

The committee said it understands that views and statements can be made about laws being discussed, and it welcomed MPs’ interest in tracking the progress of draft texts.

But it said review and checking are carried out according to the approved rules, to give full assurance that any recommendation sent up on a draft law is sound, serves the public interest, and builds trust in legislation issued by the Council.

Doubt

It added that it would not accept attempts to cast doubt on its work, and repeated its view that laws should not be rushed.

Each draft, it said, should be given enough time for study and analysis.