Cabinet welcomes Thai PM's visit, congratulates workers

Manama, Apr. 24 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa chaired here today the regular weekly Cabinet session. HRH Premier welcomed the official visit of his Thai counterpart, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, and his accompanying delegation to the kingdom today, a statement by the Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Nasser, said. The session lauded the depth of the Bahraini-Thai relations, stressing that the high-profile visit will add a new dimension to the two kingdoms' distinguished relations and solid cooperation, and contribute to improving bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and investment fields. HRH the Prime Minister extended thanks and appreciation to the Arab League and its Secretary-General on the grand ceremony held to honour him and confer on him the "Development Work Shield" which was received by Deputy Premier HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa on his behalf. The Prime Minister voiced pride in the statements delivered during the ceremony and the feelings expressed by the participants, noting that they had a great impact on him for their objective tackling and appreciation of the kingdom's development achievements. The Cabinet renewed congratulations to HRH the Prime Minister on the prestigious Arab award, affirming the Government of Bahrain's deep pride in the honouring. Marking the International Workers' Day 2017, HRH Premier lauded the effective role played by Bahraini workers in pushing economic development forward, and commended their efforts in building the nation, affirming the government's keenness on consolidating labour gains and improving the work environment in order to increase productivity. In this context, the Prime Minister hailed the role of labour trade unions in increasing labour achievements. HRH Premier also praised the civil society organisations' role in supporting the government's efforts to upgrade Bahraini youth and provide them with education and training opportunities, reiterating the government's keenness on providing all kinds of support to those initiatives. In this regard, the Prime Minister expressed thanks to Al-Mabarra Al-Khalifiya Foundation's chairperson and members for organising the first symposium, held recently under his patronage and opened on his behalf by Deputy Premier, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa. The Premier lauded the role played by the Al-Mabarra Al-Khalifiya Foundation, led by the Chairperson of its Board of Trustees, Shaikha Zain bint Khalid Al Khalifa, in hosting events that pave the way for Bahraini youngsters to acquire knowledge and values, and become effective members of society. On culture, HRH Premier stressed the importance of reviving heritage and historical places to boost and encourage investment in culture, hailing the opening of Al-Khalifiya Library during a ceremony held under his patronage, and attended on his behalf by Deputy Premier, HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa. The Prime Minister requested all government ministries and state departments that are subject to the Civil Service Law to be committed to the Cabinet resolutions pertaining to scholarships and its resolutions that regulate relations between government institutions and foreign embassies and missions. HRH Premier stressed that public sector employees should not accept training scholarships provided by foreign parties without prior approval by the competent government sides, re-affirming the need to adhere to the Cabinet's resolutions in this regard, and mandating the Foreign Ministry to be the exclusive side that receives scholarship offers relating to education, civil training sessions and field visits for civilians made by foreign embassies and missions to civil service employees, NGOs' affiliates or individuals. The session extended deepest condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the brotherly Saudi people over the Saudi servicemen who lost their lives during the crash of the Saudi helicopter participating within the Saudi-led Arab Coalition, praying to Allah the Almighty to rest the souls of the fallen servicemen in eternal peace and bless their relatives with patience and fortitude. HRH the Prime Minister congratulated the Qatari Amir, HH Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the Qatari people on the release of the kidnapped Qatari nationals and their safe return home, wishing brotherly Qatar lasting security, progress and prosperity. While reviewing the memoranda on the session's agenda, HRH the Prime Minister gave directives to continue developing health services and medical staff through providing the necessary training, consolidating high professional expertise and providing the latest equipment in order to make treatment in the Kingdom the best choice for the citizens. In this context, the Cabinet reviewed the Health Ministry's Strategic Plan 2016-2020, and the annual report of the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), both presented by the Minister of Health, and praised the efforts exerted by the Health Ministry, the Supreme Council for Health and the NHRA in this regard. Reviewing a memorandum, presented by the Labour and Social Development Minister on the on-going efforts to train and find employment for Bahraini job-seekers, HRH Premier issued directives to carry on efforts and keep incentives that encourage Bahraini citizens to start their own small and medium-sized enterprises, to encourage the creation of quality job opportunities for Bahrainis in the public and private sectors, and to exert extra efforts to ensure that the employment of Bahrainis is not affected by economic challenges. The Cabinet reviewed the main economic indicators for 2016 and in its fourth quarter. The memorandum presented by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism showed that the national economy had posted a real growth of 1.1 per cent in the last quarter of 2016, compared with the same quarter of 2015. The GDP increased by 3 per cent, and the inflation rate maintained its previous level, the report also revealed. The session approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Bahrain's Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA) and the Russian Muftis' Shura Council, as highlighted in the memorandum submitted by the Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The relevant minister was commissioned to sign the MoU on behalf of SCIA. The Cabinet also endorsed a draft law on the ratification of the Bahrain-Russia agreement on the extradition of criminals, and referred it to the Legislature to finalise the remaining constitutional procedures, in line with the memorandum presented by the Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The session also approved a draft decree on ratifying the Protocol relating to an Amendment to Article 50 (a) of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, and a Protocol relating to an amendment to article 56 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, signed in Montreal on October 6, 2016, and tasked the competent sides to take the necessary constitutional and legal procedures. A memorandum presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on a request to set the up the Bahrain Council for Green Building, as a subsidiary to the World Green Building Council, was referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The session also referred to the Legislative Branch a draft law on amending the provisions of Decree-Law 78/2006 on the Insurance against Unemployment, and another on amending article (24) of Decree-Law 28/1999 on Establishment and Organisation of Industrial Zones, proposed by the Council of Representatives, alongside a memorandum including the government's opinion.