Cabinet lauds strong Saudi ties, praises citizens' patriotism

Manama, Feb. 20 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has welcomed the outcomes of the recent visit of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, to Saudi Arabia. During the visit, HRH the Crown Prince met the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, First Deputy Premier and Interior Minister, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Premier and Defence Minister, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. HRH Crown Prince and the Saudi Crown Prince co-chaired the session of the official Bahraini-Saud talks. Commenting on the Crown Prince's visit, the Prime Minister lauded the joint agreement to speed up steps to consolidate areas of bilateral cooperation in the economic, investment and security fields, hailing the timing and fruitful outcomes of the visit. He also lauded the key role played by Saudi Arabia, led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, in supporting Bahrain and enhancing the joint action of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This came as HRH the Prime Minister chaired the regular weekly Cabinet session, attended by HRH the Crown Prince, at the Gudaibiya Palace today. A statement by the Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al Nasser, said that HRH Premier also lauded the successful efforts of the Saudi security authorities which led to the busting of four terror cells, reiterating Bahrain's full-fledged solidarity with Saudi Arabia and backing of the measures it deems necessary to safeguard its security and stability. While discussing the Kingdom's celebrations of the anniversary of the National Action Charter, the Prime Minister hailed the citizens and residents for their sincere patriotic spirit, extending thanks to them for the feelings of loyalty to the nation and the leadership they had expressed on the occasion. HRH the Prime Minister congratulated the Kuwaiti Amir, government and people on the 56th National Day and the 26th Liberation Day, lauding the development strides made by brotherly Kuwait under the leadership of the Amir, HH Shaikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and wished Kuwait further progress and prosperity. HRH Premier gave directives to make an inventory of the streets, neighbourhoods and projects with repeated rainwater pooling and to address the situation there. He also instructed the Ministerial Committee for Urbanisation and Infrastructure to identify the technical reasons that led to the damage inflicted by some infrastructure projects as a result of the heavy rain, as well as to determine responsibility and areas of negligence, if there are any. The Prime Minister commended the efforts exerted by the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning to promptly deal with rainwater pools and remove them from the streets, roads and neighbourhoods as quickly as possible. He also praised the field presence of all the ministry's officials during rainfalls. The Premier also praised the efforts undertaken by the Housing Ministry, the Electricity and Water Affairs Authority (EWA) and the relevant bodies at the Interior Ministry during the heavy rains witnessed by the Kingdom recently. The Premier was commenting on three ministerial reports submitted by the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, Housing Ministry and Electricity and Water Affairs Ministry on the measures they have taken to deal with the consequences of the rain. HRH the Prime Minister urged to intensify initiatives and projects that would increase employment chances for job-seekers. Reviewing the Labour and Social Development Ministry's plans for 2017 and achievements in 2016, HRH Premier praised the ministry's efforts to organise specialised career expos to enable business owners to hire national competencies. The Cabinet approved the creation of a Directorate of Public Revenues Policies at the Finance Ministry. The new directorate will replace the current Directorate of Economic Studies and Research, and will report to the Assistant Undersecretary for Public Revenues Development. Recommended by the Civil Service Bureau, and included in the memorandum submitted by the Deputy Premier and Deputy Chairman of the Civil Service Council, the decision aims to consolidate the government's plans to diversify sources of income. The session also approved adjusting the fees levied on the services provided by the Cost Engineering Directorate at the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning to contractors prior to the implementation of projects. The bill classifies contractors and allows retrieving part of the cost of the services delivered to them. A draft law aimed at facilitating and expediting documentation was also discussed. The bill allows the minister in charge of justice to grant permits to undertake the work of the notary to those who meet the requirements. The Cabinet referred the draft law to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs, and referred its executive bill to the Executive Committee. The session decided to retrieve a draft law on amending some provisions of Decree-Law 14/1971 on documentation which is attached to the Royal Decree 87/2008 being discussed by the Legislative Branch. The session also discussed a draft agreement between Bahrain and Turkey on legal cooperation in the civil, commercial and criminal matters.