The ministerial council extended sincerest congratulations to HRH the Prime Minister on receiving the African Union Shield.
Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa said the honour reflects the high status and great respect enjoyed by HRH the Premier at the international level.
HRH the Prime Minister hailed the honour as an international tribute to Bahrain’s achievements, lauding the noble sentiments displayed by citizens in celebration of the occasion.
Marking the opening of the third session of the legislative term of the Representatives and Shura Councils by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the cabinet underlined the government’s keen interest to boost cooperation with the legislative power to bolster national achievements.
The council wished the National Assembly every success in its legislative and auditing work, expressing hope the new legislative term would witness a bigger governmental-parliamentary momentum to bring about more achievements.
HRH the Prime Minister stressed the need for the government to maintain its open-door policy, directing all ministers to boost and adhere to this approach as well as remove all obstacles preventing citizens or their representatives from reaching decision-makers at various ministries.
Due to Bahrain’s urbanization boom, HRH the Premier instructed to ensure availability of construction materials in the market by diversifying import sources.
HRH also directed to vary and extend import sources of basic food stuff to cater to the growing demand mainly on special and religious occasions. HRH tasked the relevant ministerial committee to follow up on that with concerned parties.
With most of the recommendations of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) having been carried out by the government, HRH the Prime Minister instructed all ministries to expedite the implementation of the remaining ones.
The cabinet underlined the government’s success to achieve 207 visions in the economic, social and legal fields as well as 63 visions tackling the legislative side in all its political, economic, social and legal aspects.
In this respect, the cabinet hailed the role of the Shura and Representatives Councils in endorsing the constitutional amendments. It also stressed that the visions of the National Consensus Dialogue represent the will of the people and an important historical document highlighting Bahrain’s democratic progress.
The ministerial council described the implementation of the visions and BICI recommendations as a reflection of Bahrain’s resolve to press ahead with reforms with utter transparency.
The cabinet underscored its keenness to launch programmes that tap on youngsters’ potentials and click on their productivity skills to serve the nation.
The council gave the green light for schemes and projects to be included in the ministries’ work plans during the next budget 2013-2014 so as to achieve the executive plan in tackling juvenile issues as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Social Services, Media, Transportation and Communication Affairs, which is headed by Deputy Premier Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.
The cabinet tasked a subsidiary committee, headed by the Social Development Minister, and relevant parties to follow up on the implementation of the afore-mentioned plan and submit periodic reports in this regard to the Ministerial Committee for Social Services, Media, Transportation and Communication Affairs.
The council approved the national strategy for children 2012-2016 and its executive plan and tasked government bodies to include the needed funds for its implementation in the next budget 2013-2014.
The new strategy, which emanates from an international agreement on child rights that was signed by Bahrain in 1992, aims to provide a favourable and secure environment for Bahraini children, guarantee their rights, and improve their welfare.
The cabinet endorsed the national programme for civil aviation security which comprises a set of rules and regulations that guarantee preventive security of the civil aviation sector.
The cabinet approved a proposal by the Representatives Council to create a navigation line between Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
It also approved another proposal to enable government employees to obtain a loan from the General Organisation for Social Insurance, while still paying back another loan, providing regulations of the Central Bank of Bahrain are taken into consideration.