ID :
373620
Tue, 07/07/2015 - 02:48
Auther :

HRH Premier chairs weekly cabinet session

Manama, July 6 (BNA): The cabinet has extended sincere thanks and appreciation to the National Assembly for approving the general state budget for the two fiscal years 2015-2016 and its draft law, affirming that the discussions and endorsement of the budget project a bright image of the Kingdom’s organised democratic practices and institutional work. Chaired by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at the Gudaibiya Palace today, the cabinet lauded the National Assembly’s achievements over the first session of the fourth legislative term, adjourned recently as per an Order by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Those accomplishments, including mainly the approval of the Government Action Plan (GAP) and the general state budget for the two fiscal years 2015-2016, were attained thanks to the fruitful executive-legislative cooperation, the Secretary-General of the Cabinet Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Nasser said in a statement following the session. The cabinet condemned the terror incidents which targeted Egypt recently, reiterating the kingdom’s solidarity with brotherly Egypt and backing of all measures it deems necessary to combat terrorism and safeguard its security and stability. On judiciary, HRH Premier issued directives to fast-track the execution of judicial rulings, whether civil, commercial or Shari’a, in coordination with all relevant sides. The aim is to have more effective procedures to expedite the execution of judicial rulings by using technology, stressing the importance of speed in enhancing confidence in the efficiency of the kingdom’s Judicial System, and developing its business environment, he explained. In another context, HRH the Prime Minister instructed the competent sides at the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning to take the necessary measures to prevent the drag net fishing near the coasts of Askar, Jaw and Al-Dour villages and make sure fishermen take enough distance away from coasts when resorting to that method. The aim is to preserve marine life and resources, and maintain other fishermen’s livelihoods. The Prime Minister also directed to study reducing the crab fishing ban period from four months to two. On education, the cabinet agreed to evaluate the results of the National Project to Develop Education and Training in collaboration with an international house of experience, in line with the recommendations of the Supreme Council for the Development of Education and Training outlined in the memorandum submitted by Deputy Premier HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa. The session also approved the results of the 19th batch of the review of the performance of education and training institutions issued by the National Authority for Qualifications and Quality Assurance of Education and Training (QQA), including 13 high education academic programmes and the performance follow-up of five vocational training institutions. It also approved the results of the 2015 National Exams for grade 12, and other QQA reports. On industry, the cabinet re-affirmed the government’s support to mega projects that boost national industries and stimulate economic growth. In this regard, the session welcomed the construction of the Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C (Alba)’s sixth smelter, being an important and pioneering achievement in the field of aluminium industry and the manufacturing industries emanating from it. The construction works of the project, costing US $ 3.5 billion, including $ 2.5 billion for the smelter and one billion dollars for the company’s fifth power station, will start in the first half of 2016, and production will begin in 2018, Deputy Premier and Board Chairman of the Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa told the session. The project will increase Alba’s annual production by about 514,000 metric tons, he added. The session also discussed four agreements on short-stay visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders, avoidance of double taxation, air transportation, encouraging and protecting investments, and a memorandum of understanding on economic, trade and technical cooperation between Bahrain and Azerbaijan. The agreements and the MoU were referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The session referred to the Council of Representatives a draft law on amending some provisions of Law of Associations, Social and Cultural Clubs, Special Committees Working in the Field of Youth and Sports and Private Institutions promulgated by Decree-Law 21 /1989. The cabinet also discussed a proposal to launch an educational campaign across the kingdom’s public and private schools to promote the teaching of the Holy Quran.

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