Cabinet condemns Nice terror attack, welcomes return to normalcy in Turkey

Manama, July 18 (BNA): The Cabinet has condemned the abhorrent terrorist attack that took place in the French city of Nice, and extended warmest condolences to the French government and people. The Cabinet deplored the terrorist act which contravenes religious and moral principles, and human values, reiterating Bahrain’s solidarity with friendly France and backing of all the measures it takes to maintain its security and stability, as well as to confront and eliminate terrorism. It also called for concerted international efforts to combat terrorism and root it out. Commenting on the recent events in Turkey, the session, chaired by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at the Gudaibiya Palace today, welcomed the return to normalcy there within the constitutional legitimacy, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the elected government. It also offered condolences over the victims of those events, and wished friendly Turkey and its people further progress and prosperity. Tackling development issues, HRH the Prime Minister directed to address the shortcomings, if any, in Hoorat Sanad and Jidhaf regarding municipal and government services and facilities. In this regard, the session was informed about the efforts of the Works, Municipalities’ Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry concerning service projects and needs. The Premier requested the Works, Municipalities’ Affairs and Urban Planning Minister to follow up on the implementation of the projects, and meet the local citizens’ service needs. HRH the Prime Minister was also informed about the progress of the implementation process of some government’s development projects in the Muharraq Governorate, including the Muharraq Park, the old market, service facilities and needs, the Muharraq Central Market and the multi-storey car park in Muharraq Suq. He instructed the Works, Municipalities’ Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry to coordinate with the relevant parties to follow up on the implementation of such projects and remove all obstacles facing them. The session was also informed, through a presentation given by the Minister of Youth and Sport Affairs, about the completion of the project to revamp and equip the Al-Hala Club’s premises. HRH Premier was updated about the Housing Ministry’s procedures to meet the Karzakan villagers’ needs in the Al-Lawzi Housing Project. The ministry was requested to carry on those procedures. Turning to employment, HRH the Prime Minister was briefed by the Labour and Social Development Minister on what has been achieved so far regarding the activation of the role of training institutes in the labour market. The minister was requested to coordinate with the relevant parties to activate the steps and measures that enhance the role of training institutions in the labour market. After that, the session reviewed the on-going preparations for the participation of the kingdom’s delegation, led by the Housing Minister, in the Third Preparatory Meeting towards Habitat III, (PrepCom3), set be hosted by Jakarta, Indonesia, late in July. In another context, the Cabinet approved the modification of the percentage of investors’ ownership of commercial activities to develop the government’s performance in this field, and improve the performance of the commercial sector. The move aims to enhance economic development, generate quality job opportunities for the citizens and attract more investments in various economic sectors. The amendment, highlighted in the memorandum presented by the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister, will improve the kingdom’s standing in the ease of starting business indices, and stimulate its choice as a favourable host to world companies. The Cabinet also endorsed the financial statements of the Future Generations’ Reserve Fund for the fiscal year which ended on December 31, 2015. The statements, which had been audited by the National Audit Office, were referred to the Legislature, in accordance with the constitutional procedures in force. Figures presented showed that the total assets for 2015 had increased by about $52.5 million to reach about $554 million. The session also discussed an Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Income on Taxes concluded between Bahrain and Spain, and its attached Protocol, and referred it to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The Cabinet also approved the registration of a branch of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in Bahrain, outlined in the memorandum presented by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and requested the competent sides to take the necessary procedures. The Cabinet discussed six proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives, and approved the government’s replies to them, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The proposals were related to investment in the real estate sector, the provision of some medicines, the opening hours in some health centres, the Chronic Diseases Department at the Kanoo Health Centre, the establishment of an events’ hall in East Riffa and a pedestrian bridge in Muharraq.