HRH the Crown Prince chairs weekly Cabinet meeting

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, today chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting, held remotely for the first time.

The Cabinet commended HM the King’s directives aimed at aiding families affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19), noting that this noble gesture reflects HM the King’s continued commitment to supporting families in need across the Kingdom.

In celebration of the International Day of Conscience, observed by the United Nations annually on 5 April, the Cabinet commended this initiative proposed by HRH the Prime Minister, emphasising the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering a culture of peace and conscience by providing quality education and implementing public awareness activities that promote sustainable development.

The Cabinet underscored that the health of citizens within the Kingdom and abroad remains a key priority, affirming the Kingdom’s commitment to ensuring all citizens abroad return to Bahrain safely, in line with efforts and repatriation plans under the International Covid-19 Repatriation Programme (ICRP). The Cabinet noted that Bahrain is one of the first countries to establish an ICRP for its citizens abroad.

On this note, the Cabinet commended the tireless efforts of the Kingdom’s medical workforce, who have worked ceaselessly to safeguard the community by providing exceptional care which has resulted in strong recovery rates. 

The Cabinet then reviewed efforts made by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and the Ministry of Health, on various strategies to ensure the Kingdom maintains sufficient food and medicine supplies.

The Cabinet strongly condemned a recent terrorist attack by Houthi militias, which targeted civilians and neighbourhoods in Riyadh and Jizan. The Cabinet underscored the Kingdom’s support to the measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to protect its security and stability.

Following the meeting, the Cabinet Secretary-General, HE Dr. Yasser bin Issa Al-Nasser, made the following remarks:

1. The Cabinet reviewed a memorandum submitted by the Ministry of Finance and National Economy regarding the Kingdom’s economic report for the year of 2019. The report indicated GDP growth at constant prices of 1.8%. The report noted oil sector recorded 2.2.% growth and the non-oil sector recorded 1.7% growth. GDP recorded 2.4% growth at current prices, with the oil sector decreasing by 3.9%, while the non-oil sector achieved a growth of 3.6% compared to last year.

The report further indicated that the hotel and restaurants sector recorded the highest non-oil sector growth compared to that of last year, with a growth rate of 6.8%. This was followed by social and personal services at 2.9%, and the construction sector at 2.6%. Additionally, the report highlighted an increase in the number of employees in the private sector, reaching 96,333 employees, an increase of 2.8%. Average monthly salaries for Bahrainis in the private sector increased by 2.4% to BHD 740, with employment in the private sector expecting to increase.

The report also confirmed Bahrain was listed as the 63rd most free economy in the world out of 180 countries, according to the results of the Index of Economic Freedom 2020. The Kingdom also ranked 41st globally out of 132 countries in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2020 and 38th globally out of 137 countries in the Global Entrepreneurship Index.

The Cabinet approved a Draft Law amending five existing laws, including the Advocacy Law, the Law regulating the practice of engineering professions, Decree-law on practicing the profession of medicine and dentistry,  Decree-law on the practice of non-physicians and pharmacists in the assistance of the medical profession and the Decree-law regulating the pharmaceutical profession and pharmacy centres. The approved Draft Law aims to apply gradual penalties to those who neglect their professional duties, before being suspended from practicing the profession and revoking licenses, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs and presented by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Committee. The approved Draft Law was submitted to the Legislative Authority.

The Cabinet approved the Kingdom joining the Customs Cooperation Agreement and to take the necessary constitutional and legal measures needed to formally enable this. The Agreement aims to further strengthen joint cooperation among Arab customs departments and activate coordination across economic and commercial fields by providing administrative assistance and exchanging information to avoid any crimes and violations of legislation, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs and presented by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Committee.

The Cabinet agreed to grant the relevant authorities in the Kingdom of Spain the right to legal jurisdiction over the data of its subscribers held in cloud computing centres in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The Cabinet reviewed a periodical report outlining the efforts of the Ministry of Education in qualifying and training educational staff, and the development of programs to improve the performance of educational institutions. The report was submitted by HE the Minister of Education and has been referred to the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Financial Balance. 

The Cabinet approved the renewal of the membership of the Capital Secretariat in the Arab Towns Organization and Organization of Islamic Capitals and Cities, in light of the memorandum submitted for this purpose by HE the Minister of Works, Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning.

The Cabinet was briefed on the progress of work in projects implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development to develop government programs in the field of social development, including six projects that fulfil the needs of various villages and towns across the Kingdom. The projects include the comprehensive social centre project in Budaiya, the elderly club in Jidhafs, the comprehensive disability complex in A’ali, the Social Care Complex in Hamad Town, the Social Services Complex in Isa Town, and the Project to build a comprehensive social centre in the Capital Governorate.

The Cabinet approved a proposal submitted by the Council of Representatives to further develop the Citizenship curriculum implemented across the Kingdom’s schools. This will explore the nature of Bahraini society, its religious beliefs, and social traditions in a manner that preserves the national identity.

The Cabinet approved a proposal submitted by the Council of Representatives, to establish places of worship within the Damistan housing project.

The Cabinet approved a response by the government to a proposal by the Council of Representatives in establishing a public high school for girls in Damistan.