HRH Premier chairs regular weekly Cabinet session

Manama, Apr. 1 (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 lauded by Premier HRH the Prime Minister lauded the keynote speech addressed by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to the 30th Arab Summit, held recently in Tunisia. HRH Premier praised the content of the royal speech, delivered on behalf of HM the King by Deputy Premier, HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, hailing the royal call for unifying Arab stances and consolidating the mechanisms of joint Arab cooperation, as well as assertion of the need to restore security and stability to the region and protect it from terrorism, being a major threat to regional and global security and peace. In this context, the session welcomed the fruitful outcomes of the Arab Summit, and praised its final communiqué which affirmed the need to enhance joint Arab cooperation, a statement by the Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al-Nasser, said. HRH Premier lauds Bahrain F 1 Grand Prix success HRH Premier lauded the outstanding success of the 15th edition of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2019, noting that that the race is a successful sporting, tourism and economic event thanks to the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister. The Premier also said that the success of the international events adds to the kingdom’s rich record of accomplishments in various fields. Government’s keenness to support small traders stressed HRH the Prime Minister stressed the government’s keenness to enhance the contributions of small traders to the national economy through creating suitable conditions for them, improving their work environment and removing the obstacles facing them. In this regard, HRH Premier informed the session about his order to study the joint recommendations, prepared based on his directives and submitted to him by a joint team from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). HRH Premier also informed the cabinet about his tasking Deputy Premier, HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, to follow-up on the implementation of those recommendations, in cooperation with the relevant ministries and government departments. BD 21 m earmarked to pay dues of companies, SMEs The Prime Minister, in line with his keenness to implement the joint Industry Ministry-BCCI recommendations, ordered ministries and government departments to honour their commitments to companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and pay their dues and bills urgently through the Central Financial System before the closing of the financial accounts of the 2018 fiscal year. In this context, Finance and National Economy Minister informed the Cabinet that, in line with HRH Premier’s directives, BD 21 million will be earmarked to pay the dues of ministries and government departments to companies and SMEs. HRH Premier also stressed that ministries should honour their commitments towards companies, particularly SMEs, through paying their bills as soon as possible, according to the procedures in force. Golan Heights occupied Syrian territory The cabinet affirmed that the Golan Heights is an occupied Arab Syrian land, expressing the kingdom’s rejection of any measures that would undermine Syria’s sovereignty over it. Bill on public security volunteers endorsed The cabinet endorsed a draft-law on volunteering to serve the public security forces, and referred it to the Council of Representatives. The bill endorsement is based on a recommendation by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Committee, as highlighted by the Deputy Premier and the committee chairman. The draft-law is based on a memorandum presented by the Minister of Interior in this regard. Two MoUs between Bahrain, US approved The session approved two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Bahrain and the USA, both were outlined in a memorandum presented by the Interior Minister. They included an MoU on security cooperation with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and another on taking advantage of the expertise of the United States National Museum to establish a Bahrain Police Museum at the Ministry of Interior. Bahrain’s WB share to increase The session agreed to increase the kingdom’s general and selective share at the World Bank (WB) after reviewing a memorandum submitted in this regard by the Minister of Finance and National Economy Minister. The move is in line with the kingdom’s keenness to contribute to WB’s plans to increase its capital and implement reform projects. 2102 tenders awarded in 2018 The cabinet reviewed the activities and operations of the Tender Board in 2018, and praised its achievements in various fields. A report presented by the Minister of Housing and Chairman of the Tender Board revealed that a total of 2102 tenders, worth BD 3.7 billion, had been awarded in 2018, mainly in the sectors of oil and gas and infrastructure, respectively, which reflects the government’s keenness to strengthen the infrastructure across the kingdom to serve the citizens and the national economy. The report also indicated that a total of 119 tenders, worth BD 3.3 billion, had been launched. The session also reviewed the progress of the implementation of the Tender Board’s development plan, and approved a set of recommendations to facilitate its work. 10 land lots to be acquired The session approved the acquisition of 10 land lots for the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning to expand and revamp roads in Adliya, Sehla, Janabiyah and South Saar. The move is based on a memorandum submitted by the Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, and the acquisition edicts will be issues after the approval of the necessary budget. National committee to be renamed, re-structured The session agreed to rename the National Committee on the Control of Non-communicable Diseases as the National Committee on the Control of Chronic Diseases. The cabinet also agreed to restructure the committee, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs, and outlined in the memorandum presented by Deputy Premier and committee chairman.