HH the Deputy Prime Minister chairs weekly Cabinet Meeting

Manama, Dec. 14 (BNA): His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, today chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting, held remotely. The Cabinet began by extending its congratulations to HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the people of Bahrain on the occasion of the Kingdom’s national day and the anniversary of HM the King’s accession to the throne, recognising Bahrain’s wide-ranging achievements under HM’s leadership. The Cabinet praised HM the King’s directives to provide a safe and free COVID-19 vaccine to all citizens and residents, as a further layer of the Kingdom’s comprehensive pandemic response. The Cabinet highlighted the National Health Regulatory Authority’s diligence in registering the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine. In this regard, the Cabinet directed the Ministry of Health to expedite implementation of the national vaccination program. On the occasion of Commemoration Day, the Cabinet paid tribute to the sacrifice of Bahrain’s fallen servicemen. Turning to the occasion of Bahraini Police Day, the Cabinet extended its appreciation to the Ministry of Interior’s personnel, recognising their central role in maintaining security and stability in the Kingdom. In this regard, the Cabinet welcomed the appointment of Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President of Customs, as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation. The Cabinet expressed pride in Bahrain’s Arab-world leading standings in the subjects of science and mathematics, in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 2019 (TIMSS), reflecting educational advancement in the Kingdom. The Cabinet welcomed the United States’ recognition of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over the Moroccan Sahara region and the decision to open a consulate general in the city of Dakhla. The Cabinet also welcomed the normalization of relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the State of Israel. The Cabinet outlined the following outcomes: Firstly: The Cabinet approved the following memorandums: 1. A memorandum from the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on Bahrain’s accession to the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to govern the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space. 2. A memorandum from the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on Bahrain’s accession to the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (MLI). 3. A memorandum from the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance regarding the widening of VAT exemptions to cover development projects financed by loans, in order to further support the Kingdom of Bahrain’s efforts in financing strategic development projects. 4. A memorandum from the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs regarding government responses to four proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives. Secondly: The Cabinet reviewed the following topic: 1. A memorandum from the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs to regulate the imports and circulation of military and security clothing, supplies and equipment. The memorandum was presented by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism with the objective of developing operational procedures.