Royal directives to review VAT application mechanisms backed by MPs

Manama, (BNA): The Council of Representatives held its third meeting of the first session of the Fifth Legislative Term, under the chairmanship of Speaker, Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal. The speaker extended sincere thanks and gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for his instructions to the relevant executive entities to review the mechanisms of applying VAT during the trial period of its implementation. She also hailed HM the King’s assertion of the importance of taking into account the needs of the citizens through exemptions and non-application of VAT on basic goods and services that may affect the income of citizens. The speaker also affirmed the Representatives Council’s keenness to cooperate effectively with the government for the interests of the nation and the citizens. In a post-session statement, the Secretary-General of the Representatives Council, Rashid Mohammed Bu Najma, said that MPs agreed unanimously to issue a statement on behalf of the Council to laud the HM King Hamad’s directives on reviewing VAT application mechanisms during the trial period. The meeting also took note of 17 letters addressed by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to the Representatives Council, and decided to refer them to the relevant standing committees. Then, the session approved the members of the Council’s standing committees, namely the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee, the Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee, the Services Committee, the Economic and Financial Affairs Committee, and the Public Utilities and Environment Committee. It also elected the chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of each committee, as well as the members who will represent the Representatives Council in the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Delegation. The MPs also agreed, after a lengthy discussion, to submit an urgent proposal to the government to postpone the application of the Value Added Tax (VAT) for one year. They also endorsed submitting another proposal to stop ban on traditional Bahraini fishing boats (banoosh)’s sailing and shrimping.