Manama, June 22 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has informed the cabinet about his upcoming brotherly visit to the State of Kuwait at the invitation of the Kuwaiti Amir HH Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah.

In this regard, the cabinet lauded the depth of the long-standing brotherly Bahraini-Kuwaiti relations, and praised the two countries’ constant desire to strengthen them in all fields in order to serve their common interests, within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Chairing the regular weekly cabinet session at the Gudaibiya Palace, HRH the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning to hold a meeting with fishermen to discuss their worries and problems and identify their needs, especially regarding the revision of some regulations so as to ensure that their livelihoods are protected, on the one hand, and to preserve the kingdom’s maritime resources and wildlife, on the other.

In a statement following the session, Secretary-General of the Cabinet Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Nasser said that HRH Premier had requested the same ministry to submit a detailed report on the outcomes of its meeting with the fishermen and on the solutions proposed to remove the obstacles facing them.

HRH the Prime Minister issued directives to step up procedures to tighten control on unauthorised fund-raising and cash donations, especially in the vicinity of mosques, and on roads and in public places, calling for stringent legal action against whoever proven to have collected funds or donations illegally and for purposes not specified by the law.

HRH Premier instructed the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Social Development to intensify inspection and control campaigns to make sure that those collecting funds in front of mosques or on public roads meet the requirements and have the necessary licenses.

The Information Affairs Authority (IAA) was also requested to raise the citizens’ awareness so that funds collected from Zakat (Almsgivings), and donations serve the charitable and philanthropic goals intended by their donors.

On health, HRH Premier was informed about the precautionary and preventive procedures taken by the Ministry of Health to address some diseases that have emerged in some countries, including the corona virus. The measures were highlighted in the Epidemiological Surveillance Plan presented by the Health Minister during the session.

In another context, the cabinet decided to re-open the quarry in the Hufaira area in the Southern Governorate, and tasked the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry to run and operate the facility through a specialised consulting company to ensure the stock is distributed to contractors of government projects.

The session also decided to set up a company co-owned by the public and private sectors to import stones, and to prepare the suitable location for a port to be used for this purpose. The Industry and Commerce Ministry was requested to take the necessary procedures to establish the company.

The Ministerial Committee for Urbanisation and Infrastructure will have to follow-up on procedures to re-open the quarry, increase the quantity of imported stone and prepare the needed port, as outlined in the presentation given by Deputy Premier Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.

The cabinet was briefed by the Energy Minister on the progress of the implementation process of the project to re-locate the fuel tanks from Arad to Bahraini International Airport, a project which is expected to be completed in 2018.

The session was informed about the procedures to register the new company which will be in charge of providing jet fuel at Bahrain International Airport. In this regard, it was decided to extend the contract with the Bahrain Aviation Fueling Company (Bafco) until the new tanks are completed. The contracts of other international companies specialised in supplying fuel to aircrafts have also been extended to three years.

On dispute resolution, and in line with its support to resolving disputes through alternative methods, including arbitration and mediation, the cabinet approved a proposal to give a licence to the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) in London to contribute to developing arbitration methods in the kingdom.

In this regard, the session approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed between CIArb and Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments. Under the MoU, CIArb will provide the necessary training, in collaboration with the ministry, as highlighted in the memorandum submitted by the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments.

On labour, the cabinet directed to intensify efforts to address the challenges facing the labour market in light of the current economic situation.

The session was commenting on a report submitted by the Labour Minister on the labour market’s indicators in the first quarter of 2015.

Figures showed an increase in the overall number of workers by 5% compared with last year, as well as in the number of work permits which soared by 25%.

They also revealed that the number of Bahrainis who have joined the labour market recently, especially in the private sector, has gone up by 7% compared with the first quarter of 2014, which indicates the continuous growth of the business sector.