His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the weekly Cabinet Meeting at Gudaibiya Palace.
The Cabinet extended its deepest condolences to His Majesty the King, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Bahrain’s citizens, and the family of the fallen serviceman, Major Abdullah Rashid Al Noaimi, who lost his life in a terrorist attack, along with several servicemen of the United Arab Emirates, while carrying out his national duty in the Federal Republic of Somalia. The servicemen were targeted while performing training missions. The Cabinet also extended its condolences to the fallen servicemen of the UAE and wished a speedy recovery for those who have been injured.
The Cabinet extended its congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Bahraini citizens on the 23rd anniversary of the adoption of the National Action Charter. The Cabinet commended the Kingdom’s achievements following the adoption of the National Action Charter, which has contributed to progress and development across all sectors.
The Cabinet highlighted the importance of the Shield of Bahrain Project Cobra Z aircrafts, which were inaugurated by His Majesty the King, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, as well as the Kingdom of Bahrain’s naval ship the RBNS Khalid bin Ali, which was inaugurated by HRH the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Prime Minister. Both the Project Cobra Z aircraft and the RBNS Khalid bin Ali are valuable additions to the BDF’s combat readiness. The Cabinet further emphasised the critical role these assets play in supporting the ongoing development and modernisation efforts of the Bahrain Defence Force, enhancing its capabilities in performing its national duties.
The Cabinet then commended the outcomes of the third meeting of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council, co-chaired by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In this regard, HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia for his contributions during the Council’s meeting and the subsequent initiatives it produced that promote integration between the two countries. The Cabinet added that the Council meetings have continued to strengthen the strategic bilateral partnership, promote integration, and foster cooperation to achieve prosperity and development for both countries and their people. This follows a report reviewed by the Cabinet submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Cabinet discussed several memorandums during the meeting, approving the following:
1. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding the report submitted by the team responsible for researching aspects of the Khatwa Program for Home Projects. In this regard, His Royal Highness directed the relevant authorities to accept applications from those who meet the programme’s legal requirements for eligibility for a retirement pension. The Cabinet also approved the recommendation from the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs that the National Audit Office conduct a review of aspects of the programme’s registration and retirement procedures.
2. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Interior and Sulwan Hospital to offer treatment programmes and educational courses.
3. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on a memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kyrgyz Republic in the fields of agriculture, livestock and fisheries.
4. A memorandum by the Minister of Legal Affairs on the legislative plan for 2024.
5. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on the government’s response to three proposals and a law submitted by the Council of Representatives and a law submitted by the Shura Council.
The Cabinet then reviewed a memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Development and Infrastructure Projects outlining the committee’s completed tasks and assignments from January to December 2023, the accomplishments in infrastructure projects and housing services, and cooperation with the private sector in these fields.
In addition, the Cabinet noted the following ministerial reports:
1. The outcomes of the participation in the Seventh Abu Dhabi Dialogue (ADD) Ministerial Consultation meeting.
2. The outcomes of the third meeting of the Bahrain-Russia Intergovernmental Committee for Trade, Economic, Technological and Scientific Cooperation.
BNA(R)
