Cabinet lauds HM King's visit to Riyadh, praises F1 success

Manama, Apr. 20 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has affirmed the importance of the recent visit of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to Saudi Arabia and his fruitful talks with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. He asserted that the visit will support the strategic dimension of the solid brotherly relations between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and enhance the existing cooperation between them in all fields. The visit will reflect positively on a number of regional issues, amid the critical situation the region is currently going through, he said as he chaired at the Gudaibiya Palace today the regular weekly cabinet session. Following the session, the Secretary-General of the Cabinet Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Nasser stated that HRH the Prime Minister had congratulated the kingdom on the outstanding success of the 2015 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. In this regard, HRH Premier lauded the role of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, in ensuring the success of the world sporting event and his landmark contributions to making the kingdom an international hub for motorsports. The remarkable success of the Bahrain Grand Prix 2015 has conveyed a clear message to the world on the security and stability enjoyed by the kingdom and on the country's capability to host and organise international events. The Industry and Commerce Minister, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) briefed the cabinet on the events organised at BIC on the sidelines of this year's F 1 race, in light of the record audience that attended it compared with previous years. In another context, the cabinet welcomed the UN Security Council's Resolution 2216 on Yemen, noting that it reflects the world's understanding of the dangerous security and humanitarian situation in Yemen, and confirms the international community's resolve to strengthen security and stability and support legitimacy in Yemen. HRH Premier issued directives to all state bodies to implement the kingdom's commitments stipulated by the Security Council's resolution, following the explanation presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the provisions of the UN resolution and the procedures to be taken by UN member states to implement it. HRH Premier welcomed the newly-appointed Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs Hishem bin Mohammed Al Jowdar, and wished him success in participating in the implementation of the government's strategy and programme in the youth and sports sector to achieve HM the King's aspirations in this regard. The aspirations can be fulfilled through full cooperation and coordination with the Supreme Council for Youth and Sport chaired by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HRH the Prime Minister said, tasking the new minister with embracing Bahraini youngsters, especially in villages, and addressing their issues through launching effective programmes and providing facilities that embrace this important social category and direct their potential and skills towards nation-building and development. HRH Premier issued directives to service ministers to visit villages in order to acquire first-hand information about their needs through direct meetings with villagers and their representatives in the Council of Representatives and municipal councils and ensure the best government services are provided for them. He urged concerted efforts and strong cooperation to preserve and ensure the continuity of the services by rejecting practices that undermine security and stability and affect the government projects aiming to develop villages. The cabinet discussed a number of options and alternatives to ensure the sustainability of pension funds, improve their financial situation and reduce their actuarial deficit. In a related context, the session discussed unifying pension benefits between insurance funds according to a clear procedural plan and timetable, as outlined by Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Financial Affairs and Rationalising Spending Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa. The issue was referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs for further review. The cabinet also approved the second draft protocol on amending the agreement between Bahrain and the United States on the establishment of a Free Trade Zone. The draft protocol, adding a new item on rules of origin, was referred to the competent sides to prepare the necessary draft law and take the required constitutional procedures. The cabinet also discussed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) presented by the Minister of Interior on establishing friendship relations between Manama and the Chinese city of Yinchuan in the Ningxia region, in the health, tourism, education, banking, culture, agriculture and energy areas. The MoU was referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs for further study. The cabinet reviewed a report submitted by the Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning on the tenders launched and awarded in the first quarter of the year. A total of 26 tenders, estimated at BD 18.5 million, have been launched, and 23 ones, valued at BD 13.5 million, have been awarded so far this year in the fields of roads, sanitation and construction projects, the cabinet was informed. The cabinet reviewed a memorandum presented by the Industry and Commerce Minister on the kingdom's commitments towards the Agreement on Trade Facilitation within the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The Protocol Amending the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organisation to insert the Agreement on Trade Facilitation into Annex 1A of the WTO Agreement and the kingdom's commitments in this regard were referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs. The cabinet also endorsed a plan to hold a seminar that brings together specialists at the Industry and Commerce Minister and their counterparts in the US Department of Commerce's Commercial Law Development Programme (CLDP). According to the memorandum presented by the Industry and Commerce Minister, the event, to be attended by Bahraini traders, will discuss commercial laws and issues that develop the kingdom's economic environment.