His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, presided over the regular weekly Cabinet meeting held at Gudaibiya Palace this morning.
The Cabinet’s Secretary-General Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al-Nasser issued the minsutes of the cabinet meeting.
HRH the Prime Minister hailed HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s widely acclaimed historic visit to the Japanese Empire, citing the warm friendly welcome to HM the King in Japan citing the Japanese role as a major leading global economic power.
The Cabinet praised the outcomes of His Majesty’s historic visit to Japan which positively boosted the developing of bilateral Bahraini-Japanese relations and cooperation in various spheres specifically in the themes explored and agreements concluded during HM the King’s visit to Japan.
Meanwhile Cabinet welcomed the outcomes of HM’s visit to Japan, the Cabinet also praised HM’s current visit to the Kingdom of Thailand, citing the significance of meetings conducted during this visit in boosting bilateral Bahraini-Thai cooperation relations so as to attain advanced levels.
In the light of the most recent visit made by HRH the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to the Ministry of Interior, the Cabinet emphasized that the official and the people’s stance behind public security personnel comes emanates in appreciation and in recognition of their patriotic role they undertake in carrying out their duty in order to enforce law and order. The Cabinet reiterated, in this aspect, its condemnation of constant attempts from outlaws aimed at engaging the country into chaos through acts of riots and sabotage and terrorism in order to destabilize national security which stirred with local and international condemnation.
The Cabinet praised the noble stances of fraternal and friendly countries those expressed frustration with and condemned the Eker terrorist bomb attack which targeted security personnel. These countries asserted their firm stance alongside with the Kingdom of Bahrain in boosting its security and stability and tackling the escalation of violence.
The Cabinet pointed out the volume of international condemnation and indignation against the Eker incident targeting security men was proof of concurrence of world community upon rejecting terrorism and violence and curbing them which confirms the sound position of the Government in tackling terrorism and violence. The Cabinet emphasized that the Government will not be inhibited by any attempt at hampering its efforts aimed at development and growth.
The Cabinet welcomed the fraternal stances expressed by the brotherly Egyptian people and their representatives regarding incidents in the Kingdom of Bahrain after they discovered the size of the plot which they described as a sectarian rebellion.
The Cabinet praised the noble Egyptian stance which is considered an extension of stances of the Arab Republic of Egypt in supporting truth and justice.
The Cabinet emphasized the need to boost cooperation with municipal councils and adopt mechanisms which push municipal work ahead and upgrade services provided to citizens and contribute in boosting sustainable urban development.
HRH the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Municipalities and Urban Planning to expedite its consideration of the recommendations and plans submitted to the Ministry from municipal councils and to follow up the implementation thereof and to study acquisitions applications including the need for acquisitions and the provision of a suitable budget for an acquisition.
HRH the Prime Minister instructed to adopt mechanisms which encourage private citizens to return to old and historic neighborhoods and not to abandon their old neighborhoods.
The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Municipalities and Urban Planning to follow up the situation of dilapidated or abandoned old homes and to find suitable solutions for them either repairing, renovation and refurbishment in compliance with terms and conditions to be decided in coordination with the relevant municipal councils.
The Cabinet considered memoranda listed in its agenda and passed the following resolutions in regards thereof:
FIRST: The Cabinet explored the Pearls Path project and the old Manama marketplace renovation project, within the framework of government efforts for developing tourism infrastructures and preservation of ancient and heritage landmarks and developing them as part of the government efforts for this purpose.
On the other hand, the Cabinet approved the financing of both projects through a loan granted by the Islamic Development Bank for tourism projects.
SECOND: As part of the Cabinet keenness on boosting the Kingdom’s position in the area of international trade and facilitation of international business transactions, the Cabinet endorsed the joining by the Kingdom of Bahrain into the UN Agreement regarding International Sales Contracts for Goods (Vienna Agreement 1980) which aims at curbing obstacles facing international trade through the rules which organize the rights and obligations on the part of the parties of an international sales contract. The Kingdom of Bahrain’s joining into this agreement definitely contributes towards implementation of the views of the National Consensus Dialogue in the economic theme as it boosts economic competitiveness.
THIRD: The Cabinet endorsed the construction of a building for the Ministry of Culture to accommodate all its departments and to ensure proper workflow and boost the Ministry’s work, after perusal of a memorandum submitted by the Minister of Culture for this purpose.
FOURTH: The Cabinet endorsed a motion-by-law submitted from the House of Representatives for the construction of a Fuel-and-Auto-Services Station on the King Fahd Causeway.
FIFTH: The Cabinet endorsed a motion-by-law submitted from the House of Representatives regarding expediting the infrastructures, roads paving and lighting requirements of Qalali district.
SIXTH: The Cabinet took notice of the approval of both the Shura Council and the House of Representatives of a bill of law endorsing the joining by the Kingdom of Bahrain into the International Trade Agreement pertaining to endangered species of wildlife fauna and flora as well as a resolution from the Shura Council and the House of Representatives approving Decree-by-Law No.: (31) for the year 2011 pertaining to amending some provisions of the Law No.: (9) for the year 2011 for ratification of the official public budget for the two financial years 2011 and 2012 and the opening of extra allocations in the same budget as well as a resolution from both chambers regarding a bill of law for construction of a Genetics and Blood Disorders Research center in rsponse to a motion-by-law presented from the House of Representatives.