The Cabinet on Sunday discussed the direct and indirect governmental support to domestic sales of oil products that reached BD288 million including governmental subsidies of diesel that reached approximately 29% of the overall total fuel consumption, noting that the construction and road transportation sectors are the biggest beneficiaries.
The Cabinet also discussed direct and indirect governmental support for Asphalt and Diesel, and discussed the best methods for ensuring that citizens gain the optimal benefits from this support.
The Cabinet also followed up on the implementation status of the projects listed on the government’s work agenda until the third quarter of the year 2013 that shows an increase in projects accomplished by the government from 53% in December 2012 to 70% in the end of the third quarter of 2013.
In this regard, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak, the Deputy Prime Minister, directed all relevant parties to continue to increase this percentage by implementing crucial pending projects with no further delay through the rigorous commitment to the timeframe prepared for such projects. Furthermore, he directed the ministries to set indicators capable of measuring their performance on these projects which correlate to the national indicators; and determine the fields where implementation slows down and find solutions for those problems especially those projects that concern the Kingdom’s citizens.
In this matter, the Cabinet reviewed the follow-up report submitted by the Minister of State for Follow-Up Affairs on the current status of projects implementation and performance indicators up to the end of the third quarter of the year 2013 in accordance with what has been updated by the Ministries in the electronic system. The Cabinet decided to refer the report to the Ministerial Committee for Services and Infrastructure.
The Cabinet approved a draft law bill submitted by the House of Representatives on amending some provisions of Decree Law 18/1973 on public meetings, rallies, and gatherings.
The Cabinet decided to refer it to the House of Representatives with a memorandum that includes the government’s opinion on it. The draft law bill aims to limit the circumstances that could threaten the Kingdom’s security, citizens’ safety, preventing violations of public gatherings and rally organizers, and protecting the interest of those negatively affected.
The Cabinet took note through a memorandum submitted by the Minister of Industry and Commerce on the preparations for the Jewelry Arabia Exhibition in its 22nd edition, which will be held under the kind patronage of HRH the Prime Minister on November 19-23 (2013).
The Cabinet approved the following four suggestions submitted by the House of Representatives: (1) on the development of a plan for scholarships for Bahraini doctors to get a consultant degree or below in various medical majors; (2) developing the cadre of doctors and medical consultants in the Kingdom; (3) on increasing financial allocations for youth centers; and (4) on decreasing governmental services fees for the elderly and retirees.