HM King receives HRH Crown Prince, hails oil field discovery

Manama, Apr. 4 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received, at the Al-Sakhir Palace today, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, First Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Natural Resources and Economic Security, following the discovery of huge tight oil and deep gas resources in the Khaleej Al Bahrain Basin, the largest in the kingdom’s history. HM King Hamad delivered a keynote speech, in which he asserted that Bahrain and its people have been blessed with their ability to achieve progress and distinction in various fields, and that the forefathers had played a leading role in launching a civilisational and human renaissance. HM the King said that Bahrain has achieved leadership in the fields of medicine, education and industry, and has succeeded in becoming a major financial and commercial hub, and a centre for health services. HM King Hamad asserted that the oil sector has been an integral part of the serious national will, as the first oil well was discovered in 1932 during the era of the late HH Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, May Allah Almighty rest his soul in eternal peace, noting that the kingdom has been keen on devoting oil resources and derivatives to enhancing the national march and achieving welfare for the Bahraini citizens. HM the King indicated that some policies had led to the non-discovery of new oil fields since 1932, noting that his directives to intensify exploration and excavation works had resulted in the discovery of the largest oil and gas field in the kingdom’s history, an exploit, HM the King said, that has filled the hearts of Bahrainis with joy and happiness, being a new Bahraini success story. HM King Hamad extended sincere thanks and appreciation to brotherly countries for their programmes in support of Bahrain’s development and progress, noting that their support will always be remembered by Bahrainis. HM the King added that the Kingdom had launched a set of mega projects in the sectors of oil, gas, infrastructure, transportation and information technology to generate promising job opportunities for all Bahraini citizens.  HM King Hamad asserted that the landmark oil and gas find will augur a new era in which the kingdom will carry on its development and progress, while maintaining the effective programmes and initiatives aimed at increasing non-oil revenues and the ensuring the optimal use of financial resources to achieve the royal vision of attaining sustainable economic growth. HM the King added that the new discovery will reflect positively on the kingdom’s international standing and ensure the continuity of its comprehensive development march for the best interests of all its citizens, as well as the coming generations. HM King Hamad underlined the pivotal role played by the citizens to ensure the continuity of the nation-building process, driven by their dedication, ambitions and loyalty to the nation, stressing that the kingdom will use the new resources to fulfill the aspirations of its people for more progress and prosperity. HM the King expressed deep pride in the dedication of youth Bahraini competencies for their unwavering resolve to achieve such superb results. In this regard, HM the King expressed heartfelt thanks to HRH the Crown Prince, the Chairman of the Higher Committee for Natural Resources and Economic Security, the Oil Minister, Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, and the work team of the national oil companies for their commendable efforts and success in attaining such a landmark discovery.  HM King Hamad prayed to Allah the Almighty to bless Bahrain and its people with further progress and prosperity. After that, HRH the Crown Prince presented HM the King with a sample of the production of the Khaleej Al-Bahrain Field. Those present extended sincere congratulations to HM the King, and expressed pride in the landmark national accomplishment that was attained during HM’s prosperous era. They lauded the sound royal directives to give top priority to oil exploration activities so as to use such a vital resource in serving the kingdom’s development march and therefore achieve prosperity and welfare for Bahraini citizens. They affirmed that the major oil and gas find will push the comprehensive development and economic progress initiatives forward, and boost the nation-building and progress march spearheaded by HM the King.