Crown Prince chairs Cabinet session

Manama, Oct. 17 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, today chaired this week’s Cabinet session, during which a number of initiatives to enhance public services were approved. Referencing His Majesty’s speech at the opening of the third session of the fourth legislative term, His Royal Highness highlighted His Majesty’s recognition of government efforts to advance sustainable development. His Royal Highness also noted His Majesty’s remarks regarding Bahrain’s first government forum, which was recently held under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister. His Royal Highness emphasised that the forum played a vital role in exploring ways in which even greater economic prosperity can be delivered, and in translating Bahrain’s ambitious goals into tangible results that would further improve citizens’ living standards. The Cabinet highlighted its commitment to delivering projects that meet His Majesty’s aspirations and further improve citizens’ living standards. The Cabinet stressed that the Shura Council and Council of Representatives play a pivotal role in advancing development across the country, adding that strong coordination between the Legislative Authority and government would be key to meeting the development goals of the current Government Action Plan (2015–2018). In this regard, His Royal Highness noted that driving up performance levels is critical to meeting the ambitious goals of Bahrain Vision 2030 and facilitating long-term prosperity. The Cabinet turned to the positive outcomes of the recent Bahrain-Thai official bilateral discussions, led by His Royal Highness the Prime Minister and Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha. His Royal Highness also welcomed the outcomes of the 2nd Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Summit, which was attended by a Bahraini delegation led by the Prime Minister on behalf of His Majesty the King. The Cabinet also extended its sincere condolences to the leadership and people of Thailand following the death of the King of Thailand, His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej. The Cabinet recognised the important role played by security forces and the Jafari Endowments Directorate during Ashura, which contributed to a safe and peaceful environment for Ashura activities. His Royal Highness noted the steady growth of Bahrain-Turkey bilateral relations, adding that His Majesty’s recent visit to the Republic of Turkey has been an important contributor to the expansion of ties between Bahrain and Turkey. His Highness Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa also outlined the outcomes of his recent visit to Turkey, which included an official letter from His Royal Highness the Prime Minister to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Cabinet condemned the series of attacks by opposition forces in Yemen that targeted naval units in Bab al-Mandab Strait, stressing that such attempts run counter to international and regional efforts to maintain security. A number of memorandums submitted by ministries and ministerial committees were also discussed during this week’s Cabinet meeting, including: National Health Plan 2016 - 2025: o The Cabinet approved a new national health plan, following recommendations of the Government Executive Committee. The national health plan project forms an integral part of the government’s priorities framework and action plan, which reflects key priorities of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 designed to further improve citizens’ living standards and public services. The health plan is designed to address current challenges across the healthcare sector through the delivery of an integrated healthcare system that accounts for the rapid growth in population size and the rise of chronic diseases. o The Cabinet approved collaboration between the Supreme Council of Health and the South Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) on health insurance technologies. Education sector: o The Cabinet decided to refer a number of assessment and evaluation reports prepared by the National Authority of Qualifications and Quality Assurance for Education and Training (QQA) to the High Council of Educational and Training Development, including: o Follow up reports concerning 26 public schools ,12 private schools, and 14 education training institutions o The Cabinet approved measures regarding higher education institutions’ listings and placements o The Cabinet approved an MOU between the National Authority of Qualifications and Quality Assurance for Education and Training (QQA) and New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Bahrain-Tunisia cooperation o The Cabinet reviewed 17 MOUs and cooperation agreements regarding executive programmes between Bahrain and Tunisia. The agreements seek to expand Bahrain-Tunisia cooperation across various sectors, including commercial, education, social, communications, cultural, youth affairs, urban planning, and electricity and water. The Cabinet decided to refer these agreements to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The Cabinet reviewed five recommendations submitted by the Legislative Authority and subsequently approved government responses in accordance with the suggestions made by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs in the following areas: · Medication used to treat chronic diseases and conditions · Tests that allow medical and health professions to apply for a practice license. · Improving infrastructure facilities in new residential areas. · Electricity metres · Employment of foreign workers The Cabinet took note of the outcomes of the recent Energy Congress that was held in Istanbul, as well as the GCC-Turkey strategic Dialogue, which was held recently in Riyadh.