Jarrah: Hariri's paper includes basket of reforms

Information Minister Jamal Jarrah said in an interview on Wednesday that “Prime Minister Saad Hariri's reform paper includes a basket of reforms, namely in the areas of electricity, tax, customs evasion and tender law."

"These measures form one basket, and no item will be implemented without the other, in parallel with economic and financial reforms in the ministerial committee," he said, pointing out that "these issues are being dealt with quickly, accurately and responsibly, and will be referred to the House of Representatives soon."

"The budget includes laws, some of which will be submitted to the House of Representatives in parallel with the budget. There are matters that will be finalized by the end of the year. As Prime Minister Hariri said, by the end of the year, we must have completed all reform laws and taken all the decisions that are in the interest of reform," Jarrah added.

In response to a question, the Minister stressed that the tax evasion law needed the contribution of men of law and finance, as well as international bodies, “and this could not happen in a matter of one day, two days, a month or even two months. It rather requires unyielding efforts and constant work. This also applies to the Customs Law and the Public Tenders Law, which require coordination with the Department of Tenders, the Ministry of Finance and international bodies."

Regarding the governing bodies, he said "if we adopt quotas in the appointment of these bodies, they then better not exist. Those require high-level scientific cadres, be it in the field of electricity, telecommunications or civil aviation."

"This necessitates a political decision to achieve the appointment of the efficient persons," Jarrah stressed.