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 affirmed the importance of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s visit to the United Arab Emirates, highlighting the discussions held between HM the King and the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on the longstanding Bahrain-UAE relations, their robust partnership, and furthering collaboration between the two countries.
The Cabinet highlighted the strength of Bahrain-Saudi relations and multisectoral collaboration, which reflects the visions of HM the King, and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. These visions align with the agreements and initiatives signed between the two countries, including the Local Value Programme in Industry (Takamul), which treats the products produced in both countries similarly.
The Programme is one of the outcomes of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council, led by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The Cabinet noted that the Programme will enhance the national economy and consolidate the sustainability of the strategic partnership between the two Kingdoms.
The Cabinet commended Bahrain’s e-passport for winning the international Reddot Design Award 2024, the most prestigious design competition standard, reflecting the excellence of the Kingdom’s e-passport.
The Cabinet directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to raise awareness among citizens and travellers about travel guidelines, emphasising compliance with regulations, security, and safety procedures in the countries they visit. The Cabinet emphasised the importance of citizens adhering to warnings issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding travel to countries with unstable security conditions.
The Cabinet stressed the importance of providing young Bahrainis with promising opportunities and investing in them to meet their ambitions and further the Kingdom’s development. The Cabinet noted the efforts of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, led by His Majesty the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, in supporting Bahraini youth through several initiatives that enhance their creativity and excellence.
The Cabinet expressed concern over the dangers of escalation in the region, warning about their security repercussions, increasing tension and violence and fueling conflict in the Middle East. The Cabinet stressed the Kingdom’s position against political violence, calling on all parties to avoid further escalation in the region.
The Cabinet emphasised the importance of the Security Council’s and the international community’s support of the regional efforts to prevent further escalation and tension, due to their dangerous repercussions on regional security and stability.
The Cabinet then discussed several memorandums during the meeting, approving the following:
1. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance regarding Bahrain’s unified final account and final results for the 2023 fiscal year.
2. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on the government’s response to two laws and three proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives.
3. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding the Memorandum of Understanding between Bahrain Polytechnic and the Link Foundation, to enhance their cooperation in the academic and scientific fields.
4. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding the Memorandum of Understanding on the strategic partnership between Bahrain Polytechnic and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
5. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education in the Kingdom of Bahrain and Alosra Center for Consultancies and Training in the State of Kuwait for cooperation and voluntary community partnership for the “Atmana” national development project for educational development.
6. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding the Memorandum of Understanding between the General Sports Authority in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Ministry of Sport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for cooperation in the sports field.
The Cabinet then reviewed the following memorandums:
1. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance on the Quarterly Economic Report of the Kingdom of Bahrain for the first quarter of 2024, which showed an annual growth in the GDP at constant prices of 3.3%, supported by a growth of 3.4% in the oil sector and 3.3% in the non-oil sector.
2. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Community Services regarding the labour market indicators for the first half of 2024, which showed that 12,555 citizens benefited from the job opportunities provided, representing 63% of the annual target of the economic recovery plan, which aims to employ 20,000 Bahrainis annually.
In this regard, the Cabinet extended thanks and appreciation to all private sector companies and institutions that contributed to employing Bahrainis during the first half of 2024.
The memorandum also noted that 8,637 citizens received training during the first half of 2024, representing 86% of the annual target of the economic recovery plan, which aims to train 10,000 Bahrainis.
3. A memorandum submitted by the Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture regarding the latest version of the unified guide for building permit requirements.
The Cabinet then took note of the following ministerial reports:
1. Outcomes of Bahrain’s participation in the swearing-in ceremony of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
2. Outcomes of Bahrain’s participation in the Farnborough International Airshow.
3. The external participation of Bahrain’s ministers and the visits of foreign ministers to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
