HRH Premier chairs Cabinet session

Manama, Dec. 24 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa chaired the regular weekly Cabinet session, at the Gudaibiya Palace today. King’s keynote speech praised HRH the Prime Minister lauded the keynote speech delivered by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on the Kingdom of Bahrain's national celebrations on 16 and 17 December marking the anniversary of the establishment of the modern state of Bahrain as an Arab and Muslim country in 1783 by its founder Ahmed Al-Fateh, the 47th Anniversary of its Accession to the UN as a full member and the 19th Anniversary of HM the King’s Accession to the Throne. HRH Premier extended thanks to the citizens and residents, as well as public and private entities for the patriotic feelings they had expressed during the celebrations of the kingdom’s national days, praising the development strides and distinguished regional and global weight attained by Bahrain under the leadership of HM King Hamad, a post-session statement by the Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al-Nasser, said. Ministries, government entities urged to preserve public money The Prime Minister gave directives to all ministries and government entities to follow up on the remarks stated in the report of the National Audit Office, and to take prompt action against financial and administrative violators, if any. In this regard, the Premier emphasised the government’s keenness to consolidate control and auditing in all transactions, and to firmly address any shortcomings that may lead to wasting public money. Development projects reviewed While reviewing the programmes and projects implemented across the kingdom’s villages and towns to provide the necessary facilities and infrastructure, HRH Premier gave instructions to adopt plans to build 1200 housing units in Dar Kulaib and Hoorat Sanad. The Prime Minister also gave directives to reduce traffic congestions in towns and villages by creating additional exits and expanding streets. HRH Premier also requested ministries to determine the service projects that may be implemented in cooperation with the private sector, including the possibility of the sector’s financing of youth and sports centres. Cabinet expresses solidarity with Saudi Arabia The cabinet expressed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia in the face of attempts to interfere into its internal affairs, discredit its leadership or status or undermine its sovereignty, citing the recent resolution of the US Senate that was based on false allegations. Within the same context, the session lauded the "responsible stances" of the US Administration, led by President Donald Trump, as well as its "commendable" efforts to promote peace and combat terrorism through joint action with its allies in the region. Development projects’ implementation progress reviewed The session reviewed the implementation progress of 199 service projects, costing BD 154 million, ordered by HRH Premier in response to 318 remarks made by the citizens during the field visits carried out by service ministers to villages and towns based on the Prime Minister’s directives. HRH Premier also gave orders to include the remaining projects, worth BD 55.5, in the next sessions of the budget. The Prime Minister was commenting on the reports of Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Development Projects and Infrastructure, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Education Minister, Electricity and Water Affairs Minister, Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister, Housing Minister, Health Minister and Youth and Sports Affairs Minister on the executive situation of the 199 projects. Finance and National Economy Ministry to be restructured The cabinet approved a proposal to restructure the Ministry of Finance and National Economy to meet the requirements of the government’s continuous efforts to ensure the sustainability of the development process and to implement the Ministry’s strategic policies and responsibilities. The Ministry’s organisational structure will include a National Economy Undersecretary, with two assistant undersecretaries and a number of directorates reporting to him. The session also approved the organisational structure of the National Agency for GCC Taxes, established as per a Royal Decree. Affiliated to the Ministry of Finance and National Economy, the National Agency for GCC Taxes will include a Chief Executive for Taxes, with the rank of Undersecretary, two deputy chief executives, with the rank of assistant undersecretaries and a number of supportive directorates. The session also approved the re-organisation of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) by creating the post of a Chief Executive with the rank of Undersecretary, and a number of directorates reporting to him. Two daily paid rest hours for employees with severe disabilities The cabinet agreed to grant employees or workers with severe disabilities or those taking care of relatives with severe disabilities of the first degree two paid rest hours daily, according to a set or terms and conditions to be determined by the relevant Health Ministry’s committee. The move is based on the recommendation of the Ministerial Committee for Social Affairs, Telecommunications, Media and Youth, chaired by Deputy Premier, HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, and that of the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs, led by Deputy Premier, Jawad bin Salim Al-Arrayyed. The session also approved a draft-edict to be issued in this regard by the Labour and Social Development Minister. MoU on Bahraini-Saudi space cooperation endorsed The cabinet endorsed, based on a recommendation by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in the field of space activities for peaceful purposes. Under the MoU, the two sides will cooperate in the field of space activities and related applications.