Mubarak chairs regular weekly cabinet meeting

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Deputy Prime Minister chaired the regular weekly cabinet meeting this morning (Sunday 28th August 2011). Cabinet Minister Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed made the following statement after the meeting: The cabinet submitted its utmost felicitations and congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Monarch of the Kingdom of Bahrain, His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa the Prime Minister and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr and wished the wise leadership, all Bahraini people and the Muslim and Arab nations many happy returns in prosperity, happiness. The cabinet also wished success and good luck to all candidates in the upcoming complementary parliamentary elections and praised their positive and highly effective participation in the process of democratization and their commitment to push ahead the wheel of reform by magnifying reformative gains via popular participation. The cabinet instructed all ministers and government bodies to give optimum priority to the implementation of conceded views of the national consensus dialogue in the light of a briefing made by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of the government’s committee assigned with the task of following up the implementation of national dialogue views. The cabinet considered its meeting’s agenda and issued the following resolutions: First: The cabinet approved the initiation of a system of village or locality leaders - locally known as makhateer in Arabic - who will help the respective governors in order to carry out their duties and assignments and to establish the concept of citizenship and to deepen national identity and contribute in maintaining security and peace and to establish the concept of community partnership. The cabinet discussed amendment of the Decree-by-Law No. (17) for the year 2002 regarding the system of governorates in order to enable the Minister of Interior appoint a village or locality leader in one or more than one area in each governorate on the basis of a recommendation from the respective governor. Second: The cabinet reviewed the stages attained by a bill of law regarding approval of a partnership agreement for exploration, drilling and production of deep gas signed between the Kingdom of Bahrain’s government and Occidental (USA Incorporated) Company in Manama on 10th February. Third: Upon a presentation made by the Minister of Interior, the cabinet approved the increasing of the number of “call taxicabs” in order to meet market demand. The cabinet assigned the Minister of Interior the task of issuance of the necessary executive decision. Fourth: Within the framework of the implementation of the government’s initiative meant to achieve optimum usage of available natural resources, the cabinet reviewed a project meant to raise the efficacy of lighting in the residential sector by checking specifications of electric lamps, domestic appliances and thermal insulation in buildings. Fifth: The cabinet approved the request from the Regional office of Islamic Education, Science and Culture Organization (ISESCO). Sixth: Regarding the importance of municipalities’ plans in the government’s strategy in terms of implementing the relevant projects and programs pertaining to planning and municipal services, the cabinet was informed about a memorandum submitted by the Minister of Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs which stated that 289 resolutions and recommendations have been submitted.