HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister chairs the weekly Cabinet Meeting
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today chaired the weekly Cabinet Meeting at Gudaibiya Palace.
The Cabinet began by thanking the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, HE Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, the heads of government committees, and the government agencies who participated at the Future Aspirations Workshop.
The Cabinet noted that their efforts contributed to identifying 27 policies and 113 initiatives that address aspirations in a range of policy areas, including infrastructure, environment, legislative work, social services, finance and economics, government performance and digital transformation.
The Cabinet directed the continuation of all efforts to realise these aspirations through initiating programmes that will benefit the Kingdom and its citizens.
To mark International Youth Day, the Cabinet affirmed its commitment to enhancing the contributions of Bahraini youth to the Kingdom’s comprehensive development, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
The Cabinet also commended HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s commitment to amplifying the role of Bahraini youth through continued efforts to create valuable opportunities that encourage their participation and foster their capability in contributing to the Kingdom’s ongoing progress and development.
The Cabinet highlighted the contributions of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, under the leadership of the Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, for introducing initiatives that pave the way for cultivating Bahraini youth’s innovation and excellence.
The Cabinet also reviewed a memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance, regarding the Kingdom of Bahrain’s 2022 Mid-year Financial Report, for the period ending on 30 June 2022.
The memorandum revealed the results of the Mid-year Financial Report, which are indications of the outcome of the Kingdom’s commitment to fulfilling the Fiscal Balance Program. The results showed that actual revenues collected increased by 52%, achieving savings of BHD 33 million, which contributed to reducing the financing needs to repay international bonds of public debt, including bonds worth USD 1.5 billion, equivalent to BHD 565 million, that were repaid until July. This is due to the rise in oil prices in international markets. These results are clear evidence that the government’s disciplined approach to fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability is proving effective.
The Cabinet affirmed the continuation of adopting initiatives and unifying efforts to achieve the objectives of the Fiscal Balance Program.
The Cabinet then reviewed a memorandum by the Minister of Labour, regarding the latest developments in employment and training for the first half of 2022. The memorandum indicated that 14,321 Bahraini citizens were employed, which represents 72% of the annual goal of the Economic Recovery Plan’s priority plan to employ 20,000 Bahrainis annually until 2024, and a decrease in the unemployment rate from 7.7% to 5.7%. These outcomes followed the financial and economic packages that were launched during the Covid-19 global pandemic, the Economic Recovery Plan and the launch of the National Employment Programme.
The Cabinet then expressed its condolences to the Arab Republic of Egypt and to the families of the victims in the tragic fire that broke out in the Abu Sifin church in Giza, and wished a speedy recovery to those who were injured.
The Cabinet discussed several memorandums during the meeting with the following outcomes:
The approval of the following memorandums:
1. A memorandum by the Civil Service Council on the restructuring of a number of ministries and government agencies to improve public sector performance and efficiency.
2. A memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance on two reports regarding the Kingdom of Bahrain’s consolidated final account and the performance of implementing the Kingdom’s general budget for the fiscal year 2021.
3. A memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance on the establishment of an integrated health centre in Salman City in cooperation with the private sector.
4. A memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding proposed amendments to various decrees on the protection of antiquities.
5. A memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on an agreement between the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs and the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States of America.
6. A memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on the government’s response to four proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives.
The Cabinet reviewed the following topics:
1. A memorandum by the Minister of Shura Council and Representatives Council Affairs on the draft laws submitted by the government, which remain with the Legislative Authority following the conclusion of the fourth regular session of the fifth legislative term.
The Cabinet then took note of a ministerial report submitted by the Minister of Tourism on the official visit by officials of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector to Bahrain.
