Cabinet lauds Bahrain Grand Prix outstanding success

Manama, Apr. 17 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa welcomed the results of the talks held by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during their recent visits to the kingdom. Chairing the regular weekly Cabinet session at the Gudaibiya Palace today, HRH the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of the agreements, memoranda of understanding and executive programmes signed between Bahrain and brotherly friendly countries during the visits of their presidents, noting that they will reflect positively on the kingdom's cooperation with them. According to a statement by the Cabinet Secretary General Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al-Nasser, the session expressed deep pride in the successive honouring and appreciation of HRH the Prime Minister by countries and regional and international organisations in recognition of his role in the development field. In this regard, Deputy Premier, HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, extended, on behalf of the Cabinet members, sincerest congratulations to HRH the Premier on obtaining the honorary doctorate conferred on him by Al-Quds Open University in recognition of his humanitarian and development stances and in tribute to his advocacy of Arab and Islamic issues and unlimited support for the Palestinian people. The Cabinet also congratulated HRH Premier on the graduation of his granddaughter Shaikha Aisha bint Rashid Al Khalifa from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in London, noting that Shaikha Aisha's milestone achievement, as the first Bahraini young woman to graduate from the prestigious academy, adds to the rich record of accomplishments of Bahraini women. HRH Premier expressed pride in the genuine feelings expressed by officials and citizens towards his honouring and towards the graduation of his granddaughter, stressing that it is a badge of honour bestowed upon him in tribute for the achievements of the kingdom, under the leadership of HM the King, regarding development, support to Arab issues and empowerment of Bahraini women. HRH the Prime Minister informed the session about his talks with his UK counterpart, Theresa May recently. The Cabinet welcomed the outcomes of the Premier's talks with Prime Minister May, highlighting the importance of the meeting in strengthening bilateral relations, and boosting cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the United Kingdom. HRH the Prime Minister lauded the outstanding success of this year's Gulf Air Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix in terms of preparations, organisation and positive sports and tourism impacts, commending the role played by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, to ensure accurate preparations, high-quality organisation and attraction of such a mega global sporting event to the kingdom. He also stressed the sports, tourism and trade importance of the events held on the sidelines of Bahrain F1 Grand Prix which, he said, proved anew the kingdom's outstanding ability to host mega international competitions. HRH the Prime Minister gave directives to develop fundamental solutions and take decisive administrative measures to deal with anything that affects the smooth flow of services at heath facilities and to ensure the protection of public employees during the exercise of their duties in order to maintain a good level of medical services at health centres and hospitals. The session approved the Kingdom's signing of a memorandum of understanding between GCC endowments, Islamic Affairs and religious ministries and departments in the field of endowments, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The Cabinet endorsed the Kingdom's ratification of five space-related international agreements and conventions that have been adopted by the UN. They include the Outer Space Treaty, the Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, also known as the Space Liability Convention, the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space, and the Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. The session also endorsed the Kingdom's joining the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), as highlighted in the memorandum presented by the Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Financial Affairs and Rationalising Expenditure, and tasked the Ministry of Finance to take the necessary measures in this regard, in coordination with the relevant ministries and departments. The session also discussed an executive programme between the Supreme Council for the Environment and its US counterparts. The programme, outlined in the memorandum presented by the Cabinet Affairs Minister, was referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The Cabinet also approved the kingdom's signing of three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Thailand on cooperation in the youth and sports fields and cooperation in education. They also included an MoU between the University of Bahrain and the Prince of Songkla University in Thailand. The MoUs, included in the memorandum presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, were referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs for further study. Another memorandum, presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the report of the National Commission on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction regarding the follow-up on the kingdom's commitment towards conventions and treaties of weapons of mass destruction, was also referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The session also approved a memorandum of understanding between Bahrain and Egypt in the fields of electricity and renewable energy, as highlighted in the memorandum submitted by the Electricity and Water Affairs Minister. The Cabinet reviewed the current development projects aimed at providing world-class infrastructure that spurs sustainable economic growth and meets the present and future needs of the citizens regarding roads, buildings and saniration. In this context, a memorandum presented by the Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning said that 43 tenders were launched and awarded in the first quarter of 2017. The Cabinet also approved a memorandum of understanding between the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry and the Malaysian SIRIM QAS International after its legal aspects had been reviewed by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The session reviewed two draft laws proposed by the Council of Representatives on health insurance for retirees and health insurance. The two bills were referred to the Representatives Council, along with a memorandum including the government's opinion.