Cabinet recalls stances of citizens in assenting NAC

Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa chaired yesterday’s weekly Cabinet session at Gudaibiya Palace, marking the 15th anniversary of the National Action Charter (NAC) on February 14.

The Cabinet recalled the ambitious stances Bahrainis displayed in approving the NAC with an overwhelming majority of 98.4pc in a 2001 national referendum. It stressed that the NAC helped steer the
Kingdom in making tremendous strides toward modernising Bahrain’s political, economic and social sectors.

The Cabinet stressed the importance of preserving the milestone that have been achieved, thanks to the NAC and continuing to build upon them. Cabinet Secretary General Dr Yasser bin Isa Al Nasser said in a statement following the session that the consensus in adopting the NAC should be a source of inspiration for Bahrainis to cement and safeguard the country’s national unity.

HRH Premier reviewed a report presented by the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister stating the reasons for the delay in implementing five development projects in Muharraq Governorate – the new Central Market, the Grand Muharraq Park, the Galali Coast, the Buseiteen Coast and the Qaysariya Market reconstruction. 

Prince Khalifa issued directives to resolve all the problems and requested the Ministerial Committee for Urbanisation and Infrastructure to follow up.

HRH Premier issued instructions to develop increased food resources in the Kingdom through expanding the use of modern technology in agriculture and fish breeding to ensure efficient production and affordable prices.

In a related issue, the Cabinet approved a proposal to impose a two-month ban on using nets to fish for Kingfish (Kanaad) from August 15 to October 15. Fishing for shrimp will also be banned for four months, from March 15 to July 15. Meanwhile, the current four-month ban on crab fishing was shortened to two months, from March 15 to May 15.

The Cabinet also decided to ban shrimping with speed boats, given its negative impact on fishing resources and the coastal environment. Owners of those boats will be granted licences for appropriate fishing or shrimping boats (Banush).

The Cabinet made these moves to ensure the sustainability of fish and marine resources and to further enhance food security in the Kingdom. 

The session then endorsed a plan to restructure the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications. The plan calls for merging and renaming a number of directorates in line with the organisational structure proposed by the Civil Service Bureau. The new structure was presented by the Deputy Premier and Deputy Chairman of the Civil Service Council.

The Cabinet also approved a draft law presented by the Health Minister regarding the list of supplementary medical professions prepared in accordance with a proposal by the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), and based on the Decree-Law 21/2015.

The Cabinet discussed making some amendments to Decree-Law 28/2002 regarding electronic transactions in order to align with the latest developments in eServices.

On transportation, the Cabinet referred a draft air transportation services agreement between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs.

The same committee was tasked with ratifying the Air Services Agreements signed between Bahrain and Tunisia.