Bahrain Fastest Growing Economy in ME
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FAST, SAFE AND SECURE ONLINE MONEY TRANSFER NOW AVAILABLE ON THE BFC APP Tuesday, February 13 , 2018 Issue No. 7656 200 Fils Tel: 1722 8888 www.newsofbahrain.com www.facebook.com/nobonline newsofbahrain 38444680 nob_bh www.bfc.com.bh ‘Promote Bahrain’sJO3639_Smart_Money_App_Launch_DT_Hamper_6.7cmX8.5cm.indd 1 9/26/17 3:39 PM industrial products’ DT News Network Palace, yesterday. Speaking on Manama the occasion, HRH the Premier rime Minister HRH Prince expressed his satisfaction on the Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa events and festivals held in the Pyesterday gave directives to Kingdom during the first half of encourage specialised exhibitions this year. “This reflects the success and events which would attract of government’s policy to diversify more industrial investments to sources of income and boost the the country and promote and non-oil sector,” the Prime Minister x market Bahrain’s industrial told the Cabinet. products, regionally and The Cabinet also praised the BACA to celebrate internationally. massive success of the Bahrain This came as HRH the Premier Shopping Festival which produced National Action chaired the regular weekly a remarkable increase both in terms Charter anniversary Cabinet session, in the presence of participation and revenues when of His Royal Highness Prince compared to prior year’s edition, Manama Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, said Cabinet Secretary-General, ahrain Authority for the Crown Prince, Deputy Dr Yasser bin Isa Al-Nasser, Culture and Antiquities Supreme Commander and First in a statement, following the onB Wednesday will stage a Deputy Premier, at the Gudaibiya session. (Continued on Page 2) musical celebration to mark the National Action Charter anniversary. HRH PM chairs weekly Cabinet session at Gudaibiya Palace The celebration will be held at the Cultural Hall and will include a collection of national songs and musical pieces to be performed by Bahraini singers and Bahrain Bahrain fastest Musical Band. growing P economy in 03 ME: EDB Kanoo Group Manama real growth during the first three quarters Chairman aking Bahrain the fastest growing of 2017. Mubarak economy in the Gulf Cooperation “All of this points to the continued Bahrain women lift Arab sports crown 8P 24 CouncilM (GCC), the Kingdom’s non-oil strong progress of economic Jassim Kanoo sector accelerated to a record growth diversification in an economy where passes away clocking 4.8 per cent pace in the first the non-oil sector collectively already nine-months of 2017. generate more than 80pc of GDP,” said This growth, according to the Dr Jarmo Kotilaine, Chief Economic P latest EDB report, is “encouragingly” Advisor of the Bahrain EDB, in the report. P almost entirely driven by the private During 2017 as a whole, non-oil sector. growth is expected to exceed the 4.0pc Hotels and Restaurants, Social and pace recorded in 2016, according to the 03 Personal Services, Transportation and Bahrain Economic Quarterly published School goofs up 05 Communications, and Financial Services by the Bahrain Economic Development Get ready all expanded more than 6pc year-on-year Board (EDB). (Continued on page 2) Grade 11 exam for BIGS 2 Tuesday, February 13, 2018 Manama and Infrastructure to follow rime Minister HRH up on the matter. Prince Khalifa bin PSalman Al Khalifa yesterday Medical check-ups New health centre instructed the Health Ministry HRH Premier to conduct a feasibility study commended the efforts of the for establishing a new health Executive Committee, led by centre in Budaiya. HRH the Crown Prince, to Chairing the Cabinet, the transfer the medical check- PM instructed the Ministry ups of expatriate workers to planned in Budaiya of Health and the Ministry the private sector. of Works, Municipalities Cabinet was informed Affairs and Urban Planning that the move reduced to find a suitable plot for the waiting periods from three project. months to less than a week, The report, in and led medical reports to be coordination with the completed in just one week Ministerial Committee instead of one month before. for Urbanisation and Since the activation of the Infrastructure, will be new system on 19 November reviewed by the PM. last year, 33,000 medical HRH the Premier also check-ups were carried out reviewed the progress of in the private sector. Al-Razi Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Health Centre completed Khalifa Specialist Cardiac the examination of 26,000 Centre Project in Awali and additional workers, who instructed the Ministerial were on the waiting lists, the Committee for Urbanisation session was told. The session endorsed an Other key decisions agreement between Bahrain Careful about what you and the United Arab Emirates New directorate at The Cabinet congratulated on air services between and beyond share on social media His Majesty King Hamad bin their respective territories. The com- Transport ministry Isa Al Khalifa on the 17th petent minister was mandated to e careful about what you public means will come anniversary of the National Action sign the agreement on behalf of the he Cabinet yesterday approved a plan to set up a new share on social media, under the upcoming Charter (NAC) and called for the Government of Bahrain. B need to draw lessons from NAC Tdirectorate at the Ministry of Transportation and as the Cabinet, headed act. anniversary and highlightBahrain the Economic role Quarterly:The Cabinet December approved 2017 five Telecommunications. by the Prime Minister The matter, highlighted of the national unity. proposals submitted by the The “Strategic Planning and Projects Directorate” will is exploring options to in the memorandum Council of Representatives4.8 %on report directly to the minister, who will be responsible criminalise such actions submitted by the Minister investment in the medical field, for planning the implementation of the total quality that end up violating the of the Interior, and aiming The Cabinet lauded the efforts holding courses on first-aid and exerted by Saudi Arabia in home and occupational safety for management (TQM) system for all the Transportation and privacy of others. to amend Article 370 serving Arabs and Muslims, Telecommunications Ministry’s directorates. Publication of images of Decree-Law 15/1976 public sector employees, the kidney stressing that Saudi Arabia deserves transplant strategy for patients with The creation of the new directorate was recommended by or video clips that violates promulgating the Penal to be thanked and supported by the Civil Service Bureau, as outlined in the memorandum the privacy of individuals Code, will be referred to renal failure, using short text mes- the Islamic and Arab worlds for its sages to remind users of some gov- presented by the Deputy Premier and Deputy Chairman of through the misuse of the Ministerial Committee unwavering dedication in serving ernment services and parking lots at the Civil Service Council. social media or any other for Legal Affairs. the holy sites. the King Hamad University Hospital. Bahrain’s economy is currently the The robust momentum is entirely driven fastest growing in the GCC with a steady by the non-oil sector which expanded by growth of 3.6% for the first three 4.8% in the first three quarters of the year. Non-oil sector beats expectations withquarters 4.8pc of the year. growth (Continued from page 1) The overall investment project rowth in the sector, according pipeline is estimated to have increased to the EDB report, also meant by nearly 20pc last year and is led Bahrain Economic Quarterly: December 2017 Gthat overall economic growth in the by USD32bn worth of strategically Kingdom reached an annual pace of important priority projects that are 4.8% 3.6pc for the first three quarters of the progressing according to plan. These year – improving on the 3.2pc pace of range from the airport modernisation growth posted during 2016. project to the expansion of the Alba “Bahrain’s economy continues to aluminium smelter and the Bapco Overall investment project pipeline is The economic policy in the region is deliver at the upper end of growth (refinery) Modernization Project. estimated to have increase by nearly becoming more strategically growth- expectations thanks to a combination The report also points out that in 20% last year, led by the USD32 Bn oriented with positive spill overs to of robust structural and countercyclical many areas project implementation priority projects. Bahrain. drivers,” said Dr Kotilaine. has been accelerating and this is set Dec 2017 He said that EDB expects this “positive to continue in 2018. During 2017, as Overall growth of 3.6% made Bahrain the fastest- dynamic” to continue into 2018 as the a whole, the value of tendered projects Bahrain’s economy is currently the The robust momentum is entirely driven regional environment becomes more as part of the GCC Development Fund fastest growing in the GCC with a steady by the non-oil sector which expanded by growing economy in the GCC in the period growth of 3.6% for the first three 4.8% in the first three quarters of the year. supportive and as the diversified economy rose from USD3.9bn to more than quarters of the year. continues to expand, supported by an USD4.1bn. The cumulative amount of Momentum remains strong with estimates of non- “unprecedented investment pipeline”. money disbursed almost doubled from oil growth in 2018 upgraded to 4.1% “As growth becomes increasingly USD751mn in 4Q16 to USD1.4bn a underpinned by improvements in year later. productivity, Bahrain’s investment in Alongside a strong performance in infrastructure, regulatory reform and the first nine months of 2017, Bahrain development of human capital will has also put in place a number of play a vital role in ensuring long-term, initiatives including the regulatory sustainable prosperity and expansion,” framework for FinTech and the added Dr Kotilaine.