His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, today chaired the Cabinet meeting at Gudaibiya Palace.

At the start of the meeting, the Cabinet congratulated His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on the success of the recent Bahrain International Defence Exhibition and Conference (BIDEC 2017). The conference reflects the Kingdom’s interest in the defense industry, with a particular focus on modern technology.

The Cabinet went on to express thanks and appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, for his patronage of the 2017 Government Forum and for his keen interest in modernising and improving the government’s performance. The Cabinet also directed the executive leaders of all governmental bodies to continue to work towards the goals of the 2015-2018 Government Action Plan.

A number of memorandums submitted by ministries and ministerial committees were also discussed during this week’s Cabinet meeting. After the meeting, Cabinet Secretary General Dr Yasser bin Essa Al Nasser outlined the following:

– Cabinet approved a draft decree establishing the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), which will aim to develop the real estate sector in the Kingdom and enhance the investment environment in accordance with the provisions of the Real Estate Regulatory Law.

– The Cabinet requested the institution of four workshops which will aim to develop initiatives in line with the government’s action plan ahead of the next legislative chapter.

– The Cabinet approved a request by the Ministry of Works, Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning to acquire seven properties in Muharraq Governorate for the establishment of parking lots in Muharraq and Al Busaitin, as well as the development of Ain Raya Park in Al Muharraq

– The Cabinet approved the signing of the Strategic Partnership Framework Agreement between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Nations’ Agencies, which aims to enhance cooperation between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and 16 United Nations bodies in line with the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 and the United Nations sustainable development goals

– The Cabinet approved a draft edict covering license fees on hazardous waste issued by the Supreme Council for the Environment, with a view to protecting the environment in accordance with established law

– The Cabinet approved the imposition of fees on certain imported products in order to protect GCC industry and enhance competition across all GCC countries.

– The Cabinet approved the involvement of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the fifth capital increase of the Islamic Development Bank and the general increase in the capital of the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector.

– The Cabinet approved the restructuring of the National Committee on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons, thereby supporting its role in the following up and implementing all concerned conventions and treaties with relevant international organizations.

– The Cabinet approved a draft law amending certain provisions of the Anti-Smoking and Tobacco legislation submitted by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, in accordance with the WHO Framework Convention

– The Cabinet referred the draft Air Services Agreement between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to the relevant legal authorities for consideration and approval

– The Cabinet approved the recommendation of the Ministerial Committee on Legal Affairs to review a bill submitted by the House of Representatives covering the protection of national traditional handicrafts

– The Cabinet reviewed a report on the International Ministerial Meeting of Ministers of Youth and Sports and the Nineteenth World Student and Youth Festival held in Moscow

Internationally:

– The Cabinet welcomed the Establishment of the Coordinating Council between The Republic of Iraq and The Kingdom of Saudi and the positive role this will play in further fostering brotherly relations between the two countries, while promoting Arab cooperation

– The Cabinet condemned the terrorist attacks that took place in Giza Governorate and the city of El Arish in the Arab Republic of Egypt, expressing sincere condolences to all those affected. The Cabinet stressed that the Kingdom stands by Egypt in its fight against terrorism and the measures Egypt is taking to preserve security and stability

– The Cabinet praised the noble role of the UN for safeguarding security and international peace on the occasion of the United Nations Day. In this regard, The cabinet reaffirmed Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment to the UN’s many programmes in the GCC and wider region

Source: FANA