MANAMA: Bahrain Cabinet on Monday reviewed the efforts exerted to cut off and dry up sources of funding of terrorism, noting that such endeavours have revealed some terrorists exploited the financial aid and allowances provided by the government for the citizens to finance terrorist crimes.
His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has extended congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and to the people of Bahrain on the kingdom’s celebrations of its National Days on December 16 and 17, marking the anniversary of the establishment of the modern state of Bahrain as an Arab and Muslim country in 1783 by its founder Ahmed Al-Fateh, the 43rd Anniversary of its accession to the UN as a full member and the 15th Anniversary of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s Accession to the Throne.
HRH Prince Khalifa extended the congratulations as he chaired at the Gudaibiya palace today the regular weekly cabinet meeting, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier.
In a statement following the session, the Secretary-General of the Cabinet Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Nasser said the cabinet had recalled with appreciation the landmark political, economic and democratic achievements of the kingdom during HM King Hamad’s prosperous era.
It called on the citizens to draw lessons from such precious national occasions, preserve national unity, consolidate social cohesion and build on the hard-won achievements to ensure a brighter future for the kingdom.
The cabinet lauded the principles embedded in HM the King’s keynote address during the opening of the first session of the fourth legislative term, noting that it covered national, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Arab issues, and affirmed the need to cement national unity, carry on the development and reform march and optimise national gains.
HRH Premier said that the government will be inspired by HM King Hamad’s directives in preparing its work plan.
The cabinet also expressed keen interest in consolidating cooperation with the legislative branch in order to achieve top national goals.
The Council of Ministers discussed the government’s work plan for 2015-2018, which will be presented to the Council of Representatives, and directed ministries to study it and submit their visions to the Follow-up Affairs Minister.
The cabinet also welcomed the results of the 35th Summit of the GCC Supreme Council, hosted recently by Qatar, and its resolutions aiming to boost joint GCC action.
The cabinet praised the communiqué of the GCC Summit in which GCC countries lauded the success of the recent parliamentary and municipal elections in the kingdom, backed Bahrain’s measures to combat acts of terrorism and condemned the terror blasts that claimed the lives of innocent people.
The cabinet condemned, in the strongest terms, the terror blasts in the villages of Karzakan and Demistan, noting that the Arab and global denunciation of such acts testifies to their gravity, and reveals the reality of terrorism and terrorists who are targeting citizens and residents.
On the Bahrain Police Day, the cabinet praised the crucial role of policemen in assuming their patriotic duties of protecting lives and property and reinforcing security and stability.
HRH Premier stressed the government’s tireless efforts to continue housing projects, including the construction of 40,000 units in order to achieve HM the King’s directives and meet the citizens’ needs.
HRH the Prime Minister directed to intensify efforts to provide the technical and financial requirements for the implementation of the royal directives, and instructed the relevant ministerial committee to coordinate with all concerned ministries and sides in this regard.
The cabinet discussed stopping giving allowances and financial aid to those convicted of committing terrorist crimes, and requested the Interior Ministry to coordinate with the relevant ministries to put forward the needed regulations to implement the decision.
The cabinet discussed developing a long-term national water strategy to ensure sustainable water resources and achieve water security.
The cabinet was informed about the Energy Minister’s recommendations concerning the water strategy and decided to refer the issue to the concerned ministerial committee.
The Council of Ministers approved a plan to open a branch for the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and requested the competent sides to take the necessary measures.
A number of agreements and memoranda of understanding signed between Bahrain and Pakistan, pertaining to amending the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, exempting holders of diplomatic and special passports from short-stay visas, cooperation in the fields of environment, culture, art, education and high education and the twinning protocol between Islamabad and the Capital Governorate also got the cabinet’s nod during the session. They were all referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs.
The same committee will have to examine a number of draft edicts on the fees on the services provided by the Interior Ministry, in line with the recommendations of the National Audit Office.
The cabinet also discussed a draft law on ratifying the Unified Agreement for the Investment of Arab Capital in the Arab States in order to ensure easy investment procedures for Arab capitals in Arab countries, and protect them so as to serve sustainable development efforts in Arab countries.
The cabinet decided to subject the draft law to further study and research.
The cabinet agreed to expand the scope of the membership of Industry and Commerce Ministry’s Standards and Specifications Directorate at the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Dr. Dr. Al-Nasser said.