Cabinet hails HM King's fruitful visits abroad

Manama, Mar. 27 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has praised the visits of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to brotherly and friendly countries, including his visit to Egypt. HRH the Prime Minister lauded the role of HM King Hamad in enhancing joint Arab coordination towards regional and global developments, wishing HM the King and other Arab leaders every success in the 28th Arab Summit to be hosted by Jordan. The Prime Minister expressed hope that the Arab Summit will strengthen Arab cooperation and boost joint Arab action, noting that the rapidly unfolding events and their impacts, as well as the requirements of the current phase make coordinated and complementary Arab action a necessity. HRH the Premier made the statements while chairing the regular weekly Cabinet session, attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, at the Gudaibiya Palace today. HRH the Prime Minister, a statement by Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al-Nasser said, commended the tremendous efforts exerted by the security authorities which succeeded in arresting the members of a terrorist cell that was seeking to subvert the kingdom's security as it had planned and started carrying out terrorist acts aimed at assassinating high-profile figures in the kingdom, attacking a convoy of Public Security vehicles and targeting vital installations in the country. The Prime Minister valued highly the successful preemptive measures taken by the security authorities thanks to which the cell's goals and plots had been thwarted, stressing that Bahrain will always remain safe and stable thanks to the concerted efforts of all people and the awareness and vigilance of the security bodies. HRH Premier expressed thanks and appreciation to the Interior Minister, the Interior Ministry's personnel, and all the security authorities for the pivotal role they are playing in safeguarding security and stability and confronting terrorism. HRH Premier strongly condemned the terror attack that had occurred near the British Parliament and extended deepest condolences to the families of the victims, the British government and the friendly UK people, reiterating Bahrain's firm stance in rejecting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and backing all the measures to be taken by the UK to protect its security and stability. HRH Premier gave directives to increase the kingdom's benefits from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)'s agreements that pave the way for launching financial and commercial activities in GCC countries, and requested the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism to cooperate with the relevant sides to provide the necessary support to national companies and banks to help them open branches in other GCC states. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism was also requested to develop easy sale mechanisms and procedures during the exhibitions and events held at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC) to boost the purchasing process. Reviewing the memoranda on the session's agenda, HRH Premier praised the results of the implementation of the updated second edition of the Unified Framework of Priority Government Programmes (Unified Framework), commending the efforts of the Executive Committee, led by HRH the Crown Prince in this regard. HRH the Prime Minister instructed the relevant ministers –each according to their competence- to implement the programmes included in the Unified Framework after HRH the Crown Prince had informed the session about the programmes implemented within the Unified Framework from its inception to late 2016, as well as about the newly-added programmes which were recommended by the Executive Committee. HRH the Crown Prince said that 15 out 32 initiatives have been implemented while the remaining ones are being implemented according to schedule. Fifteen new programmes with priority have been added to the Unified Framework in accordance with the six themes of the Government Action Plan and the efforts to achieve the Economic Vision for Bahrain 2030. The Cabinet endorsed a plan to launch the National Plan for Natural Pearls, which had been approved by the Executive Committee, chaired by HRH the Crown Prince. The plan aims to make Bahrain an international centre for natural pearl testing, and one of the leading global centres in natural pearl hunting and production for the sake of boosting tourism and promoting Bahrain's deep-rooted pearling heritage. The session also approved a number draft ministerial edicts on determining protected areas where some activities such as oyster collection, dredging and marine dredging are permitted. It also approved a draft edict regulating pearl hunting and production, and another on regulating inland sea cruises. The Cabinet also approved a draft edict submitted by the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunication on amending the regulation on the fees imposed by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) on licenses and other services. A draft ministerial edict submitted by the Minister of Health on regulating control on the use, marketing and promotion of breast milk substitutes was referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The session also approved in principle a proposal presented by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism to hold a shopping and leisure event during the holy month of Ramadan, with the participation of the private sector, and requested the minister to include the opinion of the Bahrain Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The Cabinet discussed a number proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives, and approved the draft government's replies that had been prepared by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The proposals were mainly related to Tamkeen's support to some national institutions, commitment to the Government Action Plan.