His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al

Cabinet Press Release

05 February 2018

His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has lauded the role played by the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF), which was established by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander, reached, thanks to the royal efforts to build it and develop it at all levels, the highest levels of distinction, in terms of training, armament, and competence, and became a bulwark that protects the nation and its capabilities and gains, under HM the King’s leadership.

HRH the Prime Minister extended deepest congratulations to HM King Hamad, the Supreme Commander, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, marking the BDF’s Golden Jubilee.

Chairing the regular weekly Cabinet session, at the Gudaibiya Palace today, HRH Premier also congratulated the BDF Commander-in-Chief, officers and personnel, on the national occasion, the BDF’s 50th Anniversary.

HRH Premier instructed the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism to provide all guarantees that support the forthcoming elections of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), giving directives to harness all potentials, particularly the database of the Ministry, to serve the electoral process of the business community in an atmosphere of transparency, a post session statement by the Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al-Nasser, said.

Regarding development issues, HRH the Prime Minister gave directives to be committed to the highest quality levels, as well as to the highest international standards while building and paving the main and vital avenues in a way that maintains their durability and ensures the comfort and safety of road users.

HRH Premier also urged to take the timing of road maintenance works into account to avoid traffic congestion and spare the people the resulting negative effects.

The Prime Minister also gave directives to the Youth and Sports Affairs Ministry to complete and continue the maintenance works of sports facilities needed by the Jaw and Askar villagers.

Reviewing the memoranda on its agenda, the session discussed 2 strengthening the penalty inflicted on the crimes related to manufacturing, possessing and using flammable and explosive devices for the purpose of using them to put the lives of people or public or private funds at risk.

The matter was highlighted in a memorandum submitted by the Minister of Interior to amend Article 277 bis of the Penal Code, promulgated by Decree-Law 15/1976, and referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs.

The Cabinet was informed about the implementation progress of 100 road, sewage and construction projects, with an estimated value of about BD 164 million.

In the same context, the session reviewed the 182 projects that had been put out to tender or awarded during 2017.

Last year, 78 projects were awarded at a cost of BD 31 million, and 104 others were put out to tender at an estimated value of BD 132 million, a memorandum by the Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning said.

The Cabinet also endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

3 between the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA) and the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), and the British Safety Council. The MoU aims to enhance cooperation between the two sides and avail of expertise in the field of workplace safety and health.

The session also mandated the Ministry of Interior to study the formation of a security apparatus emanating from it to protect the aircraft of the national carrier from acts of hajacking and terrorism, in line with a proposal submitted by the Council of Representatives in this regard.

The Cabinet also discussed other proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives, and approved the government’s replies to them, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs, and presented by the Deputy Premier and the committee chairman.

The proposals were related to the government’s direct and indirect subsidy strategy, the naming of an authority that oversees the import and export of chemicals, and the role of embassies in the treatment of diseases abroad, in addition to the making and display of traditional Bahraini crafts.