Cabinet lauds North Thunder success

Manama, Mar. 14 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has urged to continue creating opportunities for scientific and professional communication, cooperation and discussions on ways to develop non-conventional oil exploration and production ways in order to boost the oil industry amid the current challenges caused by global oil prices. Chairing the regular weekly cabinet session at the Gudaibiya Palace today, 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 auspices and opened on his behalf by Deputy Premier HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa. The session then lauded the success of the "North Thunder" maneuver, held under the leadership of Saudi Arabia, with the participation of the Kingdom of Bahrain, alongside GCC, Arab and Islamic counties. The session stressed that the joint drill had conveyed a clear message to the world that the Arab and Islamic nations are united, ready and serious in countering threats and terrorism, defending their interests and reinforcing security and stability, Cabinet Secretary General Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al-Nasser said in a statement following the meeting. While praising the importance of the maneuver, in terms of timing and place, the cabinet voiced pride in the outstanding ability of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to bring Arab and Islamic countries together and organise such a massive drill, deemed the largest in the region's history, in a bid to show the capability of the 20 participating countries to defend themselves and fend off potential threats to their security and stability. The session then expressed regret over the statement of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, noting that he ignored the landmark human rights achievements of the kingdom. The statement is rejected in toto as it contradicts with the facts on the ground which prove that the Kingdom has established a model worth emulating in terms of respect and promotion of human rights and provision of those rights, through various mechanisms and frameworks, the cabinet said. It stressed that the citizens are involved effectively in the decision-making process through the existing constitutional establishments and the fair and democratic elections held according to all international standards. Freedom of expression is constitutionally guaranteed and the kingdom's judiciary enjoys the highest degrees of independence, honesty and transparency, the session added. The Council of Minister stressed the need to make a difference between the measures taken by all countries, without exception and according to their laws, to protect society against violence, terrorist acts and incitement, and the freedom of opinion and expression which are guaranteed by the constitution. The session stressed that the statement of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is biased, lacks objectivity and credibility, dismissing it as an unacceptable form of interference in the internal affairs of the kingdom. The statement does not reflect the existing positive cooperation between Bahrain and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the session said, 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 Premier directed the Ministry of Health to continue recruiting senior world doctors and expertise in various medical disciplines to treat patients in Bahrain, commending the efforts of the Minister and the ministry's affiliates in this regard. 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 directed to provide job opportunities that appeal to the citizens, and improve the level of the jobs on offer in order to preserve Bahrain's deep-rooted professions, urging to step up efforts to keep the unemployment rate at secure levels. He directed to devise effective plans that ensure the continuous ability of the local labour market to generate adequate jobs for the nationals. HRH Premier was commenting on the labour market's indicators in the last quarter of 2015 which were presented by the Labour and Social Development Minister. Figures showed a stability in the quarterly unemployment rate at 3.4%. 6,000 national job-seekers were provided employment in the private sector and a total of 6.160 job opportunities were created, the minister's report indicated. Housing issues also took centre stage during today's cabinet session, as HRH Premier issued instructions to double efforts to streamline procedures and provide adequate housing for the citizens. In this context, the session reviewed what has been implemented so far regarding the Government Action Plan. The report presented by the Minister of Housing revealed that the number of projected funded by the general state budget had increased by 6% in 2015 as 95 tenders, worth BD 363 million, were launched, and 51 others, costing BD 168 million were 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 unit Southern Governorate project, the second phase of the Northern City, including 577 units, the 389-unit Hidd project and the second phase of the Sitra project, including 746 units. The minister's report also highlighted the social and economic housing projects implemented in partnership between the public and private sectors. 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 reviewed the package of reforms approved by the World Bank (WB), including reform the quota system to increase the voting power of developing countries. The cabinet approved to increase the kingdom's contributions to WB's quota system reform, as outlined in the memorandum presented by the Finance Minister and requested the competent sides to take the necessary procedures. The cabinet endorsed two agreements signed between Bahrain and Bangladesh on Mutual Protection and Promotion of Investments and Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income. Two draft laws on ratifying the two agreements will be referred to the Legislative Branch in accordance with the legal and constitutional procedures in force. The session also 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) of 1978 and amendments to it, which was ratified by the Kingdom in 2001. 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 in residential neighbourhoods to preserve the kingdom's heritage and social fabric. The session approved the government's reply to the proposal as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs.