Cabinet hails North Thunder success

Manama, Mar. 14 (BNA): The Cabinet, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, today hailed the success of the recent ‘Northern Thunder’ military exercises, held under the leadership of Saudi Arabia, with the participation of the Kingdom, alongside 20 other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Arab and Islamic countries. At the regular weekly Cabinet meeting, held at the Gudaibiya Palace, Ministers stressed the joint exercises had conveyed a clear message to the world that Arab and Islamic nations are united and ready to counter terrorism and defend their national and regional interests, Cabinet Secretary General Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al-Nasser said in a statement following the meeting. Underlining the importance of the maneuvers, the Cabinet praised Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for bringing Arab and Islamic countries together and organising the region’s largest ever military exercise. During the session, HRH the Prime Minister, urged Ministers to continue to create opportunities for scientific and professional cooperation and discussions on the development of non-conventional oil exploration and production to boost the oil industry amid the challenges created by global oil prices. HRH the Prime Minister praised the events held to support the oil sector, including the Middle East Geosciences Conference and Exhibition (GEO 2016), held under his patronage and opened by Deputy Premier HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa. The session then expressed regret over a critical statement from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, noting the statement ignored Bahrain’s achievements in ensuring human rights in the kingdom. The Cabinet rejected the statement outright, labelling it biased and lacking credibility. Ministers also dismissed the statement as an unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of the kingdom. The Cabinet added, the statement contradicts the facts which demonstrate Bahrain has established a human rights model that respects and promotes human rights and ensures the provision of those rights, through various constitutional mechanisms and frameworks. The Cabinet stressed Bahrain’s citizens are involved in the Kingdom’s decision-making process, and that fair and democratic elections are held in line with international standards. Freedom of expression is constitutionally guaranteed and the kingdom's judiciary is independent, honest and transparent, the Cabinet added. Ministers stressed the need to differentiate between the measures taken by all countries to protect themselves against violence and terrorist acts, and the freedom of opinion and expression which are guaranteed by the constitution. The Cabinet said the statement does not reflect the existing positive cooperation between Bahrain and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), voicing pride in the Kingdom's success in overcoming the social and economic repercussions of the regretful events it had gone through in 2011. On health, HRH the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Health to continue efforts to recruit senior doctors and expertise, from across the world, to treat patients in Bahrain. HRH the Prime Minister also issued instructions to the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry to pave roads in Al-Ekr region and set up the necessary road infrastructure and rain water drainage networks, in line with the proposal submitted by the Council of Representatives. On labour market issues, HRH the Prime Minister called for improved job opportunities for citizens, as part of efforts to keep the unemployment rate low and ensure adequate jobs for the nationals. Figures, presented by the Labour and Social Development Minister, show that unemployment stood at 3.4%, at the end of the last quarter of 2015. Meanwhile, 6,000 national job-seekers found employment in the private sector and a total of 6,160 job opportunities were created. Housing issues were also discussed at the cabinet session, with HRH the Prime Minister issuing instructions to double efforts to streamline procedures and provide adequate housing for the citizens. The Cabinet session reviewed steps taken as part of the government’s housing action plan. According to a report presented by the Minister of Housing, the number of projects funded by the general state budget had increased by 6% in 2015, with 95 tenders launched, worth BD 363 million, and 51 others, costing BD 168 million awarded. Other projects, funded by the GCC Development Programme, have also been put out to tender. They include the first phase of the 1,580 units Southern Governorate project; the second phase of the Northern City, including 577 units;, the 389 units Hidd project and the 746 units second phase of the Sitra project. The minister's report highlighted the social and economic housing projects implemented by public and private sector partnerships. They include 1,618 social housing units and 368 economic housing units in the Northern City, and 832 social housing units in Al-Luzi region, worth BD 162 million. The project is 25% complete, the report said. The session then reviewed the package of World Bank reforms increasing the voting power of developing countries. The Cabinet approved the Kingdom's contributions to the World Bank’s reforms. The Cabinet endorsed two agreements between Bahrain and Bangladesh on Mutual Protection and Promotion of Investments and Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to income taxes. Two draft laws, on ratifying the two agreements, will be referred to the Legislative Branch. The session reviewed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman on mutual recognition of marine eligibility certificates issued to seafarers in line with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (or STCW). The MoU, presented by the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, was referred to Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The Cabinet discussed a proposal submitted by the Council of Representatives on purchasing old houses to preserve the kingdom's heritage and social fabric. The government's reply to the proposal was approved, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs.