Manama, Nov. 17 (BNA)– Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa chaired the weekly Cabinet Meeting at Gudaibiya Palace today. After the meeting Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al Naser, Secretary General of the Cabinet, released the following statement:
As part of the Cabinet’s concern in obtaining fair global and media recognition of the real progress Bahrain has achieved in politics, economics, social affairs and human rights during the reign of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, especially in light of the deliberate distortion and attempts to underestimate the actual achievements and progress made in the Kingdom, as well as promoting awareness of the high level of Governmental achievements dedicated to serve the citizens directly, Deputy Prime Minister HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa directed all ministries and government entities to present a detailed program of services and accomplishments, to be followed up by the Minister of State for Follow Up Affairs.
The Cabinet also commended the measures and procedures taken by the Ministry of Interior to insure that organization the religious observation of Ashura runs smoothly. While the Cabinet reaffirmed Bahrain’s freedom of religion, they also stressed the importance of not abusing such freedom in these events to engage in any activities that violate the law.
The Deputy Prime Minister then instructed the Ministry of Municipalities and Urban Planning and the Ministry of Works to increase their efforts and coordination with Municipal Councils to ensure rapid and effective way to deal with any problems or possible negative effects on public roads and in vital locations due to the rainy season. Within this context, the Cabinet took note of the efficiency of government facilities and their capability of dealing with any weather related circumstances including the efficiency of the sewage network, water drainage, and insulation of homes.
The Cabinet then expressed its solidarity and support of the Republic of Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan and expressed its condolences to the Government and people of the Philippines in these hard times. The Cabinet granted urgent humanitarian relief aid from the Government of Bahrain to the Philippine government to help them rebuild in the aftermath of the typhoon. The Cabinet commissioned the concerned authorities to coordinate with the Bahrain Red Crescent organization to ensure this aid is delivered as directed.
In addition, the Cabinet reviewed the results of monitoring the quality of air in Bahrain’s governorates for the month of October 2013 which were submitted by the Minister of Municipalities and Urban Planning. The report indicated that there were no abuses and environmental pollutants that exceed that permitted limit in accordance with international standards in Ma’ameer, Tubli and Muharraq. To increase reassurance, the Cabinet decided to hire an independent international consulting firm to determine the quality level of both air and sea, in order to insure that they don’t contain levels of pollution and environmental damage that exceeds the permitted levels.
The Cabinet then discussed the memoranda listed on its work agenda and made the following decisions:
First: The Cabinet approved a Draft Law bill to grant electronic records and procedures with legal authenticity to overrule paper work as evidence in civil and commercial matters when all requirements are met. The Cabinet decided to refer the draft law bill to amend provisions of Decree Law 28/2002 on electronic transactions to the legislative authority in accordance to legal and constitutional procedures.
Second: The Cabinet directed all ministries and government entities to develop lists of conventions, treaties, and memorandums of understandings signed with neighboring and friendly countries, as well as regional and international organizations, and submit them to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in preparation of developing a central record that can classify these conventions in accordance to updated criteria that will assist decision makers in obtaining precise, informative, comprehensive and up-to-date reports on these treaties and conventions.
Third: In reference to a memorandum submitted by the Minister of State for Communications, the Cabinet discussed several options and suggestions that could enhance the Kingdom of Bahrain’s ability to attract big global companies in the telecom sector in light of what Bahrain obtains from new and pioneering technologies that encourage investment in the telecom sector, and serves international roaming and continuous growth in the commercial sector in the Kingdom.
Fourth: The Cabinet approved and referred a Draft Law bill to the legislative authority in accordance to the legal and constitutional procedures, that will ratify the protocol on amending some provisions in the aviation transportation convention signed between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, as well as a Draft Law bill to ratify the convention between the Government of Bahrain and the Austrian Federal Government for aviation services in its two regions and beyond.
Fifth: The Cabinet discussed suggestions submitted by the Council of Representatives and approved the following four: (1) improving rehabilitation centers of drug addicts and alcoholics; (2) including the establishment of a therapeutic unit for physiotherapy in Hamad Kanoo Health Center in East Riffa; (3) the establishment of an integrated building for Al Buhair Youth Center; and (4) the allocation of beds for mothers escorting their children in Salmaniya Medical Complex, especially for children with diabetes.
In the Ministerial Reports section, the Cabinet took note of the following reports: (1) the report submitted by the Minister of Works on its participation in the 17th IRF World Meeting and Exhibition recently held in Riyadh; and (2) the report submitted by the Ministry of Labor on the recent visit of a Bahraini delegation to the Republic of Philippines at which time the host government praised Bahrain’s effort to protect migrant workers’ rights, placing Bahrain in the forefront of preserving rights for migrant workers and developing human resources among the GCC countries, because of what it offers in the way of decent livelihoods and an environment of coexistence and respect for others.
BNA 1602 GMT 2013/11/17