Cabinet congratulates Bahraini journalists, media personnel

Manama, May 4 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has congratulated Bahraini journalists and media personnel on the Bahraini Press Day, marked annually on May 7. HRH Premier valued highly their role in enhancing the Bahraini press, in terms of quality and quantity, thanks to their dedicated patriotic efforts. He also commended their contributions to the advancement of traditional and modern media of information and communication, and their keenness to convey their noble mission professionally and independently. Chairing the cabinet session at the Gudaibiya Palace, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, HRH Premier reiterated the government's support for press freedom and its desire to provide a stimulating environment for its steady growth. Following the session, Secretary-General of the Cabinet Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Nasser stated that the cabinet had congratulated HRH Prince Mohamed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on his appointment as Crown Prince, Deputy Premier, Interior Minister and President of the Council of Political and Security Affairs, and HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on his appointment as Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Premier and Defence Minister. The cabinet also congratulated the Saudi Crown Prince and Deputy Crown Prince on the Saudi people's pledge of allegiance, wishing them success in assuming their duties in serving their nation, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The cabinet approved draft state budget law for the fiscal years 2015 and 2015, and referred it the Council of Representatives and to the Shura Council, in accordance with the legal and constitutional frameworks. According to budget figures, the revenues are estimated at BD 4.254.863.000 for the two years, with BD 2.097.329.000 in 2015, and BD 2.157.534.000 in 2016. Regarding oil revenues, they are expected to reach BD 1.7 billion in 2015, and BD 1.75 billion in 2016, with oil prices worth US $ 60 per barrel Expenditures are estimated at BD 3.571 billion in 2015, and BD3.721 billion in 2016. An amount of BD 1.020 billion will be allocated for projects in the two fiscal years, with BD435 million in 2015 and BD 575 million in 2016. The budget deficit is expected to reach BD1.47 billion in 2015 and BD 1.563 in 2016. Meanwhile, BD 195.5 million will be allocated to support low-income families, and BD 178.5 million will be allocated to the allowance to improve pensioners' standards of living in the two fiscal years. The cabinet approved the allocation of BD 150 million within the budget to provide part of the operational capital of Bapco in order to separate its accounts from those of the government. In this regard, HRH Premier issued directives to all ministries and government departments to adhere to the budgets allocated for them, and to be committed to the general spending policies outlined in the general budget, as well as the financial rules and regulations adopted by the cabinet. The cabinet endorsed eight goals, principles and guidelines for the budget, as outlined in the memorandum presented by the Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Financial Affairs and Rationalising Expenditure Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa. They included the implementation of the Government Action Plan as agreed upon with the Council of Representatives, supporting the budget by the revenues provided by government bodies such as Oil and Gas Holding Company and Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding company, increasing non-oil revenues through developing systems to collect revenues from ministries, government departments, companies, private sector institutions and individuals, and application of the principle of the government service cost recovery. Other goals included rationalising government spending through adopting new standards and criteria, applying the principles of good governance in all ministries and developing a medium term plans to address recurrent expenditures, and developing a new plan to deliver cash support to the citizens in order to ensure that subsidies benefit the targeted citizens only, and to lift them gradually on non-Bahrainis. Controlling the levels of public debt, supporting economy-stimulating sectors, providing incentives and facilities to encourage the private sector to invest in government projects, boosting the manufacturing sector and supporting tourism projects that promote the kingdom's status as a hub of family tourism were also among the goals and guidelines on which the budget was prepared. Following a statement by the Minister of Finance on the financial and economic situation in Bahrain, the cabinet reviewed the kingdom's financial situation and economic performance. Figures revealed that the national economy posted a growth rate of 4.2% in 2014, with the non-oil sector rising by 4.6% and the oil sector by 2.9%. Meanwhile, the Hotels and restaurants sector grew by 9.2%, social and personal services by 7.1%, oil and gas by 6% and the building and reconstruction by 5.6%. In another context, the cabinet approved the titles, grades, salaries, allowances and benefits of the personnel of the body in charge of state cases, promulgated by Decree Law No 27 of 2013 stipulating the amendment of some provisions of Law No 60 of 2006 on the Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission. Functional ranks range from chancellor, with judicial grades ranging from fifth to seventh, and Assistant Chancellor, with the third judicial grade. In this regard, the cabinet approved a recommendation by the Civil Service Bureau on the titles, grades, salaries, allowances and benefits of the personnel of the State Cases Agency, following the presentation given by the Deputy Premier and Deputy Chairman of the Civil Service Council and the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments. The session was also briefed by the Interior Minister on the 16th consultative meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) interior ministers. The cabinet also reviewed the current level of coordination and cooperation among government departments in the media field in order to convey unified messages to those dealing with them, in light of a report submitted by the Minister of Information Affairs on the Government's Media Coordination Team.