The Federal National Council, FNC, on Tuesday, held the 5th session of its 16th legislative chapter, which was presided over by its Speaker Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi.

During the session, the Council passed a draft federal bill endorsing the general budget of the Federation for the fiscal year 2018 and another draft federal bill endorsing the closing accounts of autonomous institutions for the fiscal year ending on 31st December, 2016.

The session was attended by Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, and Obaid bin Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Deputy Chairman of the Federal Tax Authority and Deputy Chairman of the General Pension and Social Security Authority.

The FNC members tabled seven questions before Al Tayer on Value Added Tax, VAT, and retirement pension.

Based on the minister's replies, the FNC adopted three recommendations related to VAT and pension benefits.