His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, the Deputy Prime Minister, today chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting at Gudaibiya Palace.
To mark the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr holiday, the Cabinet extended its best wishes to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the people of Bahrain, and all Arab and Islamic nations.
The Cabinet expressed its gratitude for His Majesty the King’s directive to accelerate the disbursement of 50,000 housing units. It affirmed the commitment of the relevant government agencies to accelerate the implementation of housing programmes and projects in line with His Majesty’s vision. The Cabinet emphasised its commitment to advancing key sectors, such as education and healthcare, as pillars of Bahrain’s human development, in alignment with His Majesty’s aspirations. This follows a review of a memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance.
The Cabinet commended His Majesty the King for his engagement with citizens through His Majesty’s reception of well-wishers from various governorates and through visits to Ramadan majlises. The Cabinet also highlighted the importance of His Majesty’s speech at the reception.
Additionally, the Cabinet praised His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for continuing the longstanding tradition of Ramadan majlis visits and engaging with citizens during Ramadan.
The Cabinet reaffirmed that national cohesion remains a cornerstone of Bahrain’s prosperity and progress, ensuring the achievement of national goals that benefit all citizens.
On the occasion of Bahraini Youth Day on 25 March, the Cabinet reiterated its commitment to empowering the national workforce and Bahraini youth to contribute to the Kingdom’s comprehensive development under His Majesty’s leadership.
Additionally, in recognition of the International Day of Conscience on 5 April, the Cabinet underscored Bahrain’s dedication to fostering global compassion and coexistence. The observance was established by the United Nations in response to an initiative by the late His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
The Cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to combatting climate change and protecting the environment through initiatives such as Bahrain’s participation in Earth Hour.
The Cabinet then reviewed and approved several memorandums, including:
1. A memorandum submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding Bahrain’s candidacy for non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term.
2. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance on a draft law approving Bahrain’s general budget for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, which will be referred to the Council of Representatives in accordance with legal and constitutional frameworks.
The Cabinet reviewed a draft law on Bahrain’s general budget, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to financial sustainability while addressing citizens’ aspirations and supporting comprehensive development.
Key budget priorities include: improving government services, accelerating housing services including waitlists reduction, strengthening the education sector through talent development, curriculum improvements, and infrastructure expansion, fostering economic growth and job creation, and enhancing healthcare services. Infrastructure development is a key focus within the budget to ensure the construction of schools for new housing cities, the restoration of other schools, the expansion of academic facilities, and upgrades to road and sewage network.
The Cabinet commended His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s directive to engage with both chambers of the Legislative Authority to present the foundations and principles upon which the budget is based on. The Cabinet highlighted the constructive cooperation between the Executive and Legislative Authorities, noting the coordination between the Shura Council Chairman, the Speaker of the Council of Representatives, and the government team led by the Minister of Finance and National Economy.
3. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance on bails and trusts in criminal cases, and the mechanisms for responding to them by the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments.
4. A memorandum submitted by the Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Education and Training Quality Authority regarding the approval of the Authority’s reports.
5. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs outlining the government’s response to three proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives.
Additionally, the Cabinet reviewed a memorandum from the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowments on key projects progress under its 2023–2026 work plan.
The Cabinet took note of the following reports:
1. The outcomes of Bahrain’s participation in the Joint Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee meeting with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
2. Planned external visits by Bahraini ministers, as well as upcoming visits by foreign ministers to Bahrain in April 2025.
BNA(R)
