HRH Premier chairs Cabinet session

Manama, Apr. 9 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has extended congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, following the outstanding success of the Formula 1 Grand Prix races, hosted by Bahrain. The successful F1 races add to HM the King’s prosperous era which is laden with landmark achievements, HRH Premier said, praising the 14th edition of the Bahrain Grand Prix race’s outstanding preparation, organisation and massive turnout. Chairing the regular weekly Cabinet session, at the Gudaibiya Palace today, HRH Premier said that the race on Sunday has affirmed the kingdom’s success in organising F1 events, and promoted it as a major host of such a popular sport, commending the tremendous efforts exerted by HRH the Crown Prince in ensuring the success of the prestigious world event. The Prime Minister gave directives to expedite the implementation of development projects aimed at improving the services delivered to the citizens and spurring the kingdom’s touristic and commercial policies. Informing the session about his recent field visit to Muharraq, HRH Premier urged to expedite the implementation of the remaining stages of the "Saada" (Happiness) and Muharraq Central Market Revamp projects, and to build the multi-storey car park there, a post-session statement by the Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al-Nasser, said. In a related context, HRH Premier gave directives to the Ministerial Committee for Construction and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning to put in place a new mechanism to simplify and speed up the issuance of municipal and construction permits and licenses. On Arab issues, the Cabinet affirmed the importance of the 29th Arab Summit to be held in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, in activating Arab cooperation and joint action, as well as in serving Arab causes and safeguarding the interests of the Arab Nation.  The session expressed its confidence in the ability of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, to provide the requirements of success for the summit, being the all-inclusive "Home" for Arabs, and the supporter of everything aimed at serving their interest, wishing the 29th Arab Summit every success in coming up with resolutions that enhance Arab solidarity in the face of the existing challenges and threats. The Cabinet congratulated Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, on his re-election, wishing him success in leading his country to a new chapter of achievements, development and stability. The session strongly condemned the chemical attack on Douma, East Ghouta, Syria, which resulted in multiple deaths and injuries among innocent civilians, including children and women, describing the attack as a horrific crime that requires rapid action by the international community to stop such tragedies, and to protect civilians across the Syrian territories, in accordance with relevant international resolutions. Reviewing the memoranda on its agenda, the Cabinet, based on a recommendation by the Executive Committee, chaired by HRH the Crown Prince, and presented by the Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Construction and Infrastructure, endorsed the launch of a new edition of the "Mazaya" (Benefits) Programme. According to presentation by the Minister of Housing, the developed edition of the programme aims to expand the scope of the beneficiaries of the housing services provided under the scheme. The "Mazaya" Programme, which was launched in 2013, has provided more than 2,600 housing units, 55% of which are new demands. Due to be implemented in 2019, the new-look Mazaya Programme will pave the way for BD500-BD1500 income citizens whose applications are on the waiting lists to benefit from the programme and thus the speed of their access to housing services.  It also ensures clear and easy mechanisms to complete the "Mazaya" procedures, which are implemented by the private sector as housing projects, increases the private sector’s participation in the provision of housing units, and simplifies eligibility criteria.  The Cabinet requested the relevant authorities to take the necessary legal and technical procedures. The Cabinet approved the establishment of a Bahraini diplomatic mission in Italy, and instructed the competent authorities to take the necessary legal procedures in accordance with the provisions of the Law 37/2009 on Diplomatic and Consular Corps, as outlined in the memorandum submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The session approved a memorandum of understanding between Bahrain and and the African Union Commission to establish a general framework to facilitate cooperation and coordination in development fields and issues of mutual interest at international gatherings, and mandated the Minister of Foreign Affairs to sign it on behalf of the Kingdom, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs, and highlighted in the memorandum presented by the Deputy Premier and Chairman of the committee chairman. The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding between Bahrain and the United States of America on cooperation in the field of trade in food and agricultural products, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs and presented by Deputy Premier and Chairman of the committee chairman, and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism. The session discussed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Environment and the UK’s Department for Environment on cooperation in the fields of monitoring the marine environment, biodiversity and pollution. Presented by the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, the MoU was referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The Cabinet referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs a cooperation agreement between Bahrain’s National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) and the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. Under the agreement, the two parties will cooperate in licenses for practising health professions, as well as their procedures and examinations, as highlighted in the memorandum submitted by the Minister of Health. The session referred three draft-laws to the Legislative Branch, drafted based on proposals by the Council of Representatives, alongside memoranda explaining the government’s opinion on them. They included a bill on amending Article 3 of Decree-Law 14/2002 on the Exercise of Political Rights, a bill on amending some provisions of Law 6/2015 relating to Conflict of Laws in Civil and Commercial Matters Including a Foreign Element, and a draft-law on replacing the Article 1 of Decree-Law 2/2001 with respect to Property and Land ownership by non-Bahrainis.