Bahrain's Premier yesterday vowed to protect public money by cracking down on irregularities and corruption.

"The government is sparing no effort to close any loopholes which may be exploited to squander public money and commit irregularities," His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa was quoted as saying in a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

This came as he received National Audit Office president Hassan bin Khalifa Al Jalahma, who submitted the audit report for 2012-13.

He vowed to continue efforts to promote self-financial and administrative control in different government departments.

He also pledged to ensure good use of public money, optimise expenditure and avert any squandering or misuse.

The Premier asserted the government's "serious orientation" to step up economic and administrative reform and improve performance standards.

He stressed the importance of these steps to rationalise expenditure and contain repercussions of public debt - the biggest challenge facing the government.

"Expanding governmental structures and ongoing economic, political, and social shifts make it necessary to adopt viable control mechanisms to tame public debt and honour its maturity commitments," he said.

The Premier affirmed the government's commitment to implementing the report's remarks and recommendations.

He commended its efforts and thanked the president and staff for their professionalism and competence, directing all ministries and government departments to co-operate fully with the audit office.

He also congratulated Al Jalahma and the office staff on it becoming a member of the Arab Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions Executive Council and the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions. - TradeArabia News Service