HRH Premier chairs regular Cabinet session

Manama, Mar. 28 (BNA): The Cabinet has extended congratulations to His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa on the "International Leadership Award-2016" conferred on him by the International Federation of Training and Development Organisations (IFTDO) in recognition of his pioneering efforts to enhance the development progress and upgrade the human resources. The successive honouring of HRH the Prime Minister by countries and international organisations is in tribute for his outstanding achievements and dedicated efforts in the service of the nation and its citizens, the Cabinet said. This came as HRH Premier chaired today the regular weekly cabinet session, attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister. The Cabinet welcomed the kingdom's guests who are visiting the country to attend the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix race, to be held at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) this weekend. In this regard, HRH Premier lauded the outstanding role of HRH the Crown Prince in attracting international sports events to the kingdom and supporting them, Cabinet Secretary General Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al-Nasser said in a statement following the session, held at the Gudaibiya Palace. HRH the Prime Minister directed to hold more exhibitions and conferences in various fields, given their importance in revitalising the national economy, praising, in this context, the 17th Bahrain International Book Fair, held under his patronage and opened on his behalf by Deputy Premier HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa. He described the fair as a great event aiming to promote the Bahraini, Arab and international cultural and intellectual creativity. The session condemned the heinous terror crimes in Lahore, Pakistan, and Brussels, Belgium, stressing that they are rejected by divine religions and human values and laws. The Cabinet extended the profound condolences of the kingdom's leadership, government and people to the governments of the two friendly countries and the families of the victims. The Cabinet reiterated Bahrain's firm rejection of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, calling for concerted international efforts and for stepping up coordination among countries and organisations to counter the scourge and dry up its sources. The session endorsed a draft new law on regulating the real estate development sector, following a recommendation by the Executive Committee, chaired by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and referred it to the Legislative Branch in accordance with the constitutional and legal procedures in force. The draft law aims to bridge the existing gaps in the real estate development sector for the sake of preserving the rights of investors and stakeholders and ensuring fairness for all relevant parties through regulating sales on the map, joint ownership of real estates, mortgage insurance and real estate disposition and acquisition. It also aims to regulate the affairs of all parties involved in the real estate development sector, including real estate developers, appraisers and brokers, among others. The Cabinet also reviewed the measures taken so far to rectify the legal situation of the boards of trustees and boards of directors of companies, public agencies and institutions and specialised committees whose terms have expired. The sessions approved the procedures to ensure those panels complete their missions within the timeframes, as recommended in the memorandum presented by the Deputy Premier and Deputy Chairman of the Civil Service Council Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa. The session reviewed, through the memorandum presented by the Minister of Interior, the steps taken so far by the ministry to implement the National Central Ambulance Project, in terms of installations and equipment. The Cabinet tasked the minister with chairing a committee to ensure that ambulance services will not be disrupted while transferring the affiliation of the current services from the Ministry of Health to the national Central Ambulance Service. The panel will comprise representatives from the Supreme Council for Health, the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, and any other relevant side. The session approved the issuance of the fourth National Telecommunications Plan which aims to implement the government's strategy and policies in the sector to maintain and build on the kingdom's leading status in the telecommunications and transportation sector. The three-year scheme, highlighted in the memorandum presented by the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, aims to develop the infrastructure of the very-high-speed broadband service, consolidate sustainable competitiveness in mobile communication services, ensure the optimal use of the frequency spectrum and develop the infrastructure of the wireless network. It also aims to ensure the security of networks and electronic communication service, increase the capacity and options of international connectivity, facilitate access to applications and Internet services, promote the kingdom's status as a regional information and communication technology hub and review the telecommunications law. The session discussed a number of proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives and approved the government's replies as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs.