His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today chaired the weekly Cabinet Meeting at Gudaibiya Palace.
His Royal Highness directed for the continuation of the implementation of the Economic Recovery Plan’s priorities and programmes, which encompass major development projects and the streamlining of commercial procedures to enhance their efficiency. HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad noted that these measures will foster economic growth, expand the total size of the economy, meet the Kingdom’s development and sustainability goals, and generate opportunities for Bahraini citizens.
In regards to the Economic Recovery Plan’s priorities and programmes, the Cabinet welcomed the inauguration of the Customs Affairs’ virtual customer service centre. The Customs Affairs Directorate was established in 1917, making it one of the oldest public agencies in the Kingdom of Bahrain. In this regard, the Cabinet commended the Ministry of Interior’s role in furthering the Kingdom’s development.
The Cabinet also welcomed the opening of Marassi Galleria, which showcases the advanced levels of collaboration between the private sectors of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
The Cabinet then noted the participation of various authorities across the government and private sectors in Bahrain Sports Day, as well as the activities organised to promote sports as part of the Kingdom’s national culture. The Cabinet commended the role of the General Sports Authority, headed by the First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, in its hosting of Bahrain Sports Day activities across all governorates of the Kingdom.
HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister then directed to double financial support for eligible individuals receiving social security and disability allowances in observance of the holy month of Ramadan. His Royal Highness directed the Ministry of Social Development to distribute financial support prior to Ramadan to guarantee adequate living standards for citizens, particularly those in low-income groups.
The Cabinet congratulated the State of Kuwait, its Amir, the government, and the Kuwaiti people on the occasion of Kuwait Liberation Day. The Cabinet expressed its best wishes for further progress and prosperity for Kuwait and its people, under the leadership of HH Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
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 a draft law ratifying an agreement to attract and protect investment between the governments of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.
2. A memorandum submitted by the Minister of Cabinet Affairs regarding topics in the draft agenda of the 159th meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
3. A memorandum Submitted by the Minister of Housing and Urban Planning regarding the acquisition of several properties for the public benefit of urban development.
4. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on the government’s response to four proposals and a law proposal submitted by the Council of Representatives.
The Cabinet then reviewed a memorandum submitted by the Minister of Housing and Urban Planning regarding the progress of the third edition of the Housing Finance Exhibition and the launch of the updated version of the “Bayti” real estate platform. This updated version includes 10,000 properties valued at over BHD 1.07 billion in total.
In addition, the Cabinet noted the following ministerial reports:
1. Outcomes of the visit of the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf to the United Kingdom
2. Outcomes of the participation in the eighth meeting of the Ministers responsible for Tourism in the Gulf Cooperation Council
3. Outcomes of the participation in the Saudi Media Forum 2024
4. Declaring Muharraq as a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities 2024
5. Report of the Minister of Cabinet Affairs on external participations of various ministers and visits of foreign delegations to the Kingdom of Bahrain in March 2024
BNA(R)
