iGA keen on initiatives to increase green areas in Bahrain

Manama, Feb. 21 (BNA): Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) Chief Executive Mohamed Ali AlQaed praised the efforts exerted in the national initiative to develop the agriculture sector and the continuous organizing of the Bahrain International Garden Show 2019. The show is held under the patronage of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa with the support of HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the Wife of HM the King and President of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development. "The exhibition has become an annual gathering for all those interested in agriculture, water and garden affairs owing to the projects," AlQaed said. "The exhibition has also become an important destination for visitors and lovers of agriculture from inside and outside the Kingdom. This is only a sign of its success in achieving the strategic goals of growing in the agriculture sector, enhancing its productivity as well as achieving environmental sustainability while widely opening its doors to investors and creating new job opportunities." This came about with the authority’s participation at the Bahrain International Garden Show 2019 inaugurated by HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Isa bin Salman Educational Fund. He launched the authority’s ‘Soil Mapping Project’, along with the report of the "Monitoring Progress towards the Implementation of Targets & Indicators of the Sixth Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bahrain." AlQaed said that this year’s exhibition, under the theme "Agriculture: A Promising Career Choice" is in line with government’s direction of paying attention to the agriculture as a choice that meets the increasing demand of investment in this sector through the implementation of the sustainable agricultural practices by individuals and entities. He stressed iGA’s support to policies and government initiatives by executing a series of projects and systems that contribute in encouraging more green areas and the increasing attention on the Kingdom’s agricultural sector, which was reflected in providing more than 370 government eServices and allocating diverse online channels to complete government transactions with ease. AlQaed thanked Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, Secretary General of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, highlighting the efforts of the organizers in making the exhibition a success. The Information & eGovernment Authority had developed the Soil Mapping Project and the SDGs report with the assistance of its national cadre who prepared and implemented such initiatives with the participation of several public and private entities together with United Nations organization, which as a result statistics, figures and supportive data were provided to execute the projects. The Authority showcased, at its pavilion, the Soil Mapping project which aims at gathering, analyzing and distributing geographical data related to Bahrain’s soil. The project provides present geographical maps and detailed ones in the future by analysing satellite images and relying on remote sensing techniques & field surveys; in addition to comparing laboratory results in real-life and project’s benefit to the agriculture sector by determining agricultural areas along with its contribution in the construction field to ensure safe, stable construction work. The authority also showcased the importance of issuing the SDGs report that is considered as the first-of-its-kind in the region. The report comes in line with Bahrain’s full commitment to the international agenda and directives of the Sustainable Development 2030 while also linking it to the Government Action Plan.