Cabinet praises royal visits, hails Government Forum outcomes

Manama, Sep. 19 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has lauded His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's recent visit to Russia. He also commended HM the King's talks with President Vladimir Putin, and their importance in boosting relations between Bahrain and Russia and in expanding their cooperation to cover various fields. HRH Premier made the statements while chairing 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. In a statement following the session, Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Nasser, said that Deputy Premier, HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, gave a presentation in which he highlighted the outcomes of HM King Hamad's visits to Turkey and Russia. HRH Premier welcomed the results of the Government Forum 2016, and lauded HRH the Crown Prince's initiative in preparing for and organising the event. The Prime Minister directed to build on the outcomes of the Government Forum to develop the government performance through supporting the work of departments at the service and investment levels. This will increase the citizens' satisfaction, improve the quality of the services, streamline procedures for investors, safeguard government work against bureaucracy, overlapping and duplication and ensure the optimal use of resources to enhance development according to the principles of sustainability, fairness and competitiveness, he said. Referring to Haj, HRH the Prime Minister congratulated Bahraini pilgrims on their safe return home, and prayed Allah Almighty to bestow on then heavenly rewards. In this regard, the Prime Minister congratulated Saudi Arabia on the success of the Haj season at all levels. He affirmed that the outstanding success was the result of the great facilities provided for pilgrims by Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Premier, Interior Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nayef Al Saud, and Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Premier and Defence Minister, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. The success of Saudi Arabia also proves its outstanding ability in organising Haj and serving pilgrims, he said, extending thanks to the Saudi authorities for their care about Bahraini pilgrims. Tackling development issues, HRH the Prime Minister directed service ministers to intensify their visits to villages and towns and dispatch specialised teams from their ministries to study the needs of the citizens there and address them accordingly, especially regarding schools, health centres, municipal services and housing projects, and follow-up on them closely. He also stressed the need to pay more attention to the citizens' housing demands and resolve them promptly. The Prime Minister also issued instructions to speed up the rehabilitation of old and dilapidated houses, particularly in Muharraq and Manama, through the urban development programmes currently implemented by the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning. The session then endorsed a recommendation submitted by the Executive Committee, chaired by HRH the Crown Prince, on the creation of the "Flexible Work Permit" which provides a legal alternative for the use of non-regular workers. Issued by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) for two years, the new work permit allows expatriates to work temporarily in professions that do not require special professional licenses. However, the permit does not cover workers who abscond from their original work or move from one employer to another. The session also approved a draft law on amending some provisions of the Central Bank of Bahrain and Financial Institutions Law “CBB Law”, promulgated by Law 64/2006. Under the amendments, the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) will be affiliated with CBB. BIBF is allowed to levy fees on its services. On housing, the Cabinet endorsed the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Housing Ministry, outlined in the memorandum presented by the Ministerial Committee for Financial Affairs and Rationalising Expenditure, on refinancing a BD 100 million loan that has been used to provide housing loans and finance housing projects since 2006. The session also approved a proposal to reorganise the Ministry of Labour and Social Development following the merger of the Labour Ministry and Social Development Ministry. The move is in line with the government's policies to reduce and merge its bodies to ensure providing more efficient services to the citizens. The Cabinet also agreed to modify the fees levied by the Precious Metals and Gem Testing Directorate at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism on examining and assaying precious gems. The session endorsed a draft law proposed by the Council of Representatives on amending provisions of Law 18/2006 with respect to Social Insurance. The bill was referred to the Legislative Branch, along with the government's opinion on it, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The session discussed four proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives and approved the government’s replies to them, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The proposals were related to an Agricultural Education curriculum at public schools, compensation for the victims of the rains, an administrative apparatus relating to litigation proceedings and urbanisation requirements in old places.