Cabinet congratulates HM King on oil field discovery

Manama, Apr. 2 (BNA): The Cabinet has extended deepest congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa following the announcement of the discovery of the largest oil and gas field in the kingdom’s history, noting that such a natural wealth will boost the national economy and contribute positively to supporting the government’s strenuous efforts to achieve decent living for the citizens. Chaired by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, the session praised the efforts exerted by the Higher Committee for Natural Resources and Economic Security, chaired by HRH the Crown Prince, in attaining such a huge national exploit resulting from the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to intensify the exploration and excavation activities. The session, held at the Gudaibiya Palace, also extended thanks to the Oil Minister, the oil sector officials and the national oil companies for their commendable efforts in this regard, a statement by the Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al-Nasser, said. HRH the Prime Minister gave directives to continue the exploration and excavation works, and to expedite the completion of the technical studies and the economic feasibility of the extractable quantities to start the production process and offer the exploration area for investment by international companies to increase the Kingdom's oil and gas production and increase the revenues. The Prime Minister was commenting on a presentation by the Oil Minister, in which he highlighted the exploration projects in the oil reservoirs and deep gas areas and their land and sea layers. He also informed the session about the future steps that will be taken towards the reservoirs that are ready for production in the oil and gas fields, as well as on the forecast quantities of oil and gas, as shown in the geological surveys and studies prepared in this regard. Then, the cabinet stressed the importance of the fourth edition of the Bahrain Animal Production Show 2018 (Mara'ee 4), held under the auspices of HM the King, in supporting the government's efforts to consolidate sustainable agricultural development aiming to achieve food security, lauding the outstanding success of the event in terms of organisation, and massive turnout of visitors. While commenting on the Bahrain International Book Fair, held recently under his patronage and opened on his behalf by Deputy Premier, HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, HRH the Prime Minister gave directives to hold more cultural events and activities that reflect the cultural, literary and scientific reality in the Kingdom of Bahrain.  In the regard, the cabinet praised the prestigious cultural event, noting that it provides a good opportunity to showcase the latest cultural products, and strengthen relations between countries and peoples, especially in light of the active participation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a guest of honour in the fair. On sports, the session the kingdom’s hosting of the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix race, and welcomed the kingdom’s visitors and race participants. It also hailed the remarkable efforts exerted by HRH the Crown Prince to attract such a prestigious world sporting event to the kingdom, as well as endeavors to ensure its success. After that, HRH the Prime Minister gave instructions to carry out a study on devising a mechanism to regulate the real estate sale and purchase in some towns and villages to preserve the national identity that characterise the process, on the one hand, and make sure that it is not used as a means to affect the social segments or historical heritage of those towns and villages. The Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister was requested to submit a report in this regard. Then, HRH Premier gave directives to adopt initiatives that achieve sustainability in providing job opportunities and ensure the generation of more jobs through a strong partnership with the private sector. Reviewing the labour market’s indicators for 2017, presented by the Labour and Social Development Minister, the cabinet expressed satisfaction with the ability of the private sector to attract more Bahraini workers, reflecting its ability to generate more job opportunities as result of the remarkable growth in the non-oil sector. Figures showed an increase in the size of the national workforce in the private sector by 1.6 per cent in 2017, compared to 2016. They also revealed that the total number of the workforce had reached about 763,000, 158,000 of whom are Bahrainis, and that the unemployment rate had remained at 4.1 per cent. The indicators also showed an increase in the number of Bahraini workers in the private sector, with 23,000 recruited in 2017, or 1,900 per month. Meanwhile, 6,000 Bahrainis entered the labour market in the private sector for the first time in 2017, and 7,000 persons benefited from training programmes provided for job-seekers, the report also showed. The cabinet approved eight agreements, memoranda of understanding and executive programmes in the areas of international land transport for passengers and goods, education, higher education, cultural cooperation and academic cooperation in the field of diplomacy, social insurance and consumer protection with the United Arab Emirates, as part of efforts to further bolster the Bahraini-UAE relations and cooperation. The competent minister was mandated to sign the agreements on behalf of the kingdom during the upcoming meeting of the joint Bahraini-UAE committee later this month. In another context, the cabinet endorsed a recommendation by the Civil Service Bureau, presented by the Deputy Premier and Deputy Chairman of the Civil Service Council, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, to cancel the Property and Parks Directorate at the Capital Trustees’ Board, thus abrogating Edict 17/2006 on amending Edict 17/2002 on forming the Executive Apparatus of Municipalities. The move is in line with the government’s policy to reduce the size of government departments through re-structuring the organisational structures or merging similar small directorates. Then, the session reviewed, through a memoranda presented by the Minister of Housing and Tender Board Chairman, the activities and achievements of the Tender Board in 2017. The achievements included awarding 1892 tenders, costing about BD 3.7 billion. Figures showed that a total of 1091 tenders, with an estimated value of BD 1.5 billion, had been launched in 2017, and 5208 bids had been submitted. The report also showed that the infrastructure and services sector had the lion’s share in the awarded tenders in the same year, with 730, valued at BD 388 million, or 38%. The session also discussed three proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives, on kindergarten’s curricula, social support centres and the medical consolations for the elderly and retirees at the private sector health facilities, and endorsed the government’s replies to them, as recommended by Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs and presented by the Deputy Premier and the committee chairman.