Prime Minister chairs Cabinet session

Manama, Nov. 19 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa chaired the regular weekly Cabinet session, at the Gudaibiya Palace today. HM King congratulated on Prophet’s Birthday Anniversary HRH the Prime Minister extended to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the Bahraini people deepest congratulations marking Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)’s Birthday Anniversary, wishing HM the King many happy returns, and the Bahraini people further progress and prosperity, a post-session statement by the Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al-Nasser, said. BIAS success hailed HRH Premier lauded the success of the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS 2018), which was held recently under the auspices of HM King Hamad, praising BIAS 2018’s excellent preparation and organisation, as well as effective participation of mega international companies. The Prime Minister commended the efforts exerted by the BIAS Supreme Organising Committee, led by HM the King’s Personal Representatives, HH Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa. HRH Premier also thanked all ministries and government departments for the role they had played in ensuring BIAS success, in cooperation with the Supreme Organising Committee. Former UN Chief congratulated on ‘Khalifa Bin Salman Award for Sustainable Development’ The cabinet congratulated former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, on being granted the "Khalifa Bin Salman Award for Sustainable Development", in recognition of his efforts and contributions in serving humanity and promoting global peace, security and achieving sustainable development goals. The session stressed the importance of the "Khalifa Bin Salman Award for Sustainable Development" in embodying HRH Premier’s visions on highlighting the milestone international models that deliver great services to promote sustainable development and consolidate efforts to improve life for future generations. GCC Health Insurance Conference praised The session affirmed the importance of the first GCC Health Insurance Conference and Exhibition, hosted by Bahrain under the patronage of HRH the Prime Minister, and with the participation of health experts from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the world. The session highlighted the importance of the conference’s academic papers, plenary sessions and recommendations in building regional and global partnerships and enhancing the sustainability of health services. Cabinet wishes success to candidates, voters The cabinet, marking the parliamentary and municipal elections, which will be held on Saturday, wished every success to all candidates and voters in undertaking their responsible and leading role in supporting the democratic process in the kingdom. Saudi Public Prosecution’s statement welcomed The session welcomed the statement issued by Saudi Arabia’s Public Prosecution regarding the case of the late citizen Jamal Khashoggi, noting that the statement reflects the commitment and keenness of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, on establishing justice, enforcing the law and ensuring the integrity and independence of the judiciary. The statement put the issue within its criminal framework and foiled attempts to politicise it, as well as the suspicious campaigns staged against Saudi Arabia, stressing Bahrain’s categorical rejection of those attempts and campaigns in form and content. Bill referred to Executive Committee The cabinet referred to the Executive Committee, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, a draft-law on amending some provisions of the Labour Law in the private Sector promulgated by Law 36/2012. Municipalities Law to be amended The session approved the application of the provisions of the State Budget Law to municipalities through including all their revenues, from fees and funds, in the general state budget as income revenues. Therefore, all municipal revenues will be included in the public account of the state. In this regard, the panel endorsed a draft-law, prepared based on a proposal by the Council of Representatives, on amending some provisions of the Municipalities Law promulgated by Decree-Law 35/ 2001. The bill was referred to the Council of Representatives. Bahrain to ratify Instrument for the Establishment of the Restructured GEF The Cabinet endorsed a draft law on approving Bahrain's accession to the Instrument for the Establishment of the Restructured Global Environment Facility (GEF), as amended until September 2014. The bill was referred to the Legislative Branch, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs in its memorandum which was presented by the Deputy Premier and committee chairman. MoU on Bahrain-Egypt cooperation approved The cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for economic, technical and investment cooperation between the governments of Bahrain and Egypt, and mandated the Minister of Finance to sign it on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The MoU aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries in investment projects, joint economic ventures, scientific and advanced technological fields, as well as to develop the exchange of expertise and information, and encourage the private sector in the two countries to launch joint investment companies, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs in its memorandum which was presented by the Deputy Prime Minister and committee chairman. Air Services Agreement with Ukraine to be signed The session approved the final signing of the Air Services Agreement with Ukraine, and commissioned the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications to sign it on behalf of the Government of Bahrain. Law on use of artificial insemination and IVF to be amended The cabinet discussed a proposed law submitted by the Council of Representatives to amend the Law on the use of artificial insemination and In vitro fertilisation (IVF). The bill, aiming to exclude stem cells from the cloning ban, was referred to the Council of Representatives, along with a memorandum on the government’s opinion on it. In this context, the cabinet tasked the Ministry of Health and the Supreme Council for Health to set standards, regulations and conditions that allow the use of stem cells in research and treatment of patients and to cooperate with the relevant specialised research centres. Two bills referred to Representatives Council The session reviewed two draft-laws proposed by the Council of Representatives, the first on adding a new clause to Article (2) of Decree-Law 25/2015 on levying of infrastructure development and construction costs in urban areas, and the second on amending Article (16) of Decree-Law 25/1998 on Private Educational and Training Institutions. The bills were was referred to the Council of Representatives, along with memoranda on the government’s opinion on each of them. Ministerial reports HRH the Prime Minister was informed about the executive position of the new convention and exhibition city and its facilities, including a 4000-exibitor conferences hall. In his report, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism notified the session that the tender of the new city will be launched next week and the construction process will commence in the first quarter of 2019.