HRH Premier chairs Cabinet session

Manama, July 25 (BNA): The Cabinet has expressed hope that the 27th Arab Summit, which kicked off in Nouakchott, Mauritania, on Monday, will strengthen Arab cooperation in light of the difficult situation many countries in the region are going through, and the threats to their security and stability, particularly terrorism, and interference into Arab countries’ affairs. The session also deplored the criminal attack that targeted a shopping centre in the German city of Munich and left several people dead and wounded. The Cabinet extended deepest condolences to the friendly German government and people, condemning all acts aimed at undermining the security and safety of innocent citizens. This came as His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa chaired at the Gudaibiya Palace today the regular weekly Cabinet session. HRH the Prime Minister directed to take the interests of travel agencies in the kingdom regarding the purchase of travel tickets for ministries and government departments, and requested the Ministry of Finance to follow up on the issue with the relevant sides. The Premier also instructed all ministries and government departments to respond comprehensively and clearly to the complaints raised through newspaper on issues that are within their terms of reference. HRH the Prime Minister then directed to intensify control and measures that prevent the occurrence of medical errors, and hold responsible those behind them whenever they occur according to the regulations in force. The session expressed satisfaction with the progress of the implementation of the 365 projects included in the 2015-2018 government’s action plan (GAP), outlined in the memorandum presented by the Cabinet Affairs Minister. The memorandum showed that 135 national projects had been completed, and 217 are being implemented. It also indicated that the achievement rate is high in all projects and that the implementation process is going ahead as planned in light of the constant follow up of all the relevant parties. The memorandum was referred to the Ministerial Committee for Urbanisation and Infrastructure to follow up on the implementation of the projects included in the GAP. The cabinet endorsed a draft-law on ratifying a protocol to amend the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Income on Taxes concluded between Bahrain and Morocco, and requested the relevant sides to take the necessary constitutional and legal procedures ahead of referring it the legislative branch. The session also discussed an application to license the issuance of a quarterly motor sport magazine, and tasked the Ministry of Information Affairs to coordinate with the relevant sides to complete all procedures. A draft-law on amending article 9 of Law 18/2016 with regqrd to social insurance was referred to the Council of Representatives, along with the government’s opinion, in accordance with the constitutional and legal procedures in force. The Cabinet discussed six proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives and approved the government’s replies to them, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The proposals were related to developing a strategic plan to enhance national awareness, financial transfers outside Bahrain, re-evaluation of some scientific and professional qualifications, university students, elective courses in public and private schools and the building of an event hall in the Muharraq Governorate.