The council underlined the government’s resolve to go ahead with its development schemes in all sectors, including health and transportation.
HRH the Prime Minister urged to continue upgrading both sectors and improve services provided for citizens, hailing the appointment of Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed as Transportation Minister and Sadaq bin Abdul Karim Al Shehabi as Health Minister.
He lauded the efforts of Human Rights and Social Development Minister Dr. Fatima Al Blushi when she took over as Acting Health Minister too.
HRH the Prime Minister instructed to ensure medicines are provided at reasonable prices and tasked the Health Ministry to coordinate with concerned authorities to adopt alternatives to achieve that.
He also directed to follow-up on the state of Manama Suq and caters for the needs of traders and customers there by maintaining facelift projects so as to turn it into a tourist and commercial destination as well as a civilizational milestone.
The ministerial council referred to the legislature a draft law on real estate development which aims to further organize the sector and boost the kingdom’s status as a favourable investment destination. The cabinet tasked concerned parties to take the necessary constitutional procedures for that.
As part of the government’s efforts to reduce waiting lists and partner with the private sector in carrying out housing projects, the council approved working out a scheme to support citizens in need of housing services to buy ready units.
The cabinet discussed affiliating the national qualifications framework project with the Quality Assurance Authority for Education and Training (QAAET) which will, thereby, be renamed the National Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority for Education and Training.
The council referred to the ministerial committee for legal affairs a memorandum forwarded by the Deputy Prime Minister and QAAET board Chairman for further studies.
The cabinet discussed a draft resolution on compensating curtailment of the default services period by government employees and referred a memorandum in this regard by the Deputy Premier and Deputy Chairman of the Civil Service Council to the ministerial committee for legal affairs for further studies.
The ministers also spotlighted supporting promotional schemes in tourism as well as upgrading the infrastructure in order to boost the Kingdom’s status as an attractive tourist destination.
The cabinet approved the final signing of a draft agreement between Bahrain and India on exchanging information about taxation and delegated the Finance Minister to sign it on behalf of Bahrain.
It also discussed and referred to the legislative power an amended draft law on setting up a fund to support salaries and pensions which was prepared in light of a proposal by the Representatives Council.
The council approved a proposal on coordination between the government and the private sector to develop and regulate travelling by the sea to and from neighbouring countries while abiding by international safety standards.
It also approved a proposal by the Representatives Council to set up a mass transportation system.
The cabinet approved another proposal by the Representatives Council requiring only men to work night shifts in all public workplaces, except for jobs which necessitate women’s presence.
It also approved a proposal by the Representatives Council prohibiting mass media to advertise goods forbidden by Islam.