Citizens key focus of development: HM

Manama : The citizens of the Kingdom will always remain the main focus of the development process, said His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa yesterday while opening the final session of the fourth legislative term at a special ceremony held at the Isa Cultural Centre premises in Juffair.

“Bahraini skills and expertise have demonstrated their worth and ability to excel in various fields of work, requiring the concerned authorities to continue improving the programmes for developing our human resources and preparing young leaders, enabling them to take the appropriate path to integrate into the labour market and contribute to nation building,” HM the King said.

The ceremony held at the Isa Cultural Centre premises to mark the occasion was graced by Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

 Deputy Prime Ministers, Bahrain Defence Force Commander-in-Chief Field Marshall Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Ministers, senior officers of the BDF, Interior Ministry and National Guard, Members of Parliament and Shura Council, Ambassadors and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. After the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, HM the King addressed the session.

“Through the optimal employment of plans and programmes, the Vision 2010 has diligently sought to reinforce the performance of the various development sectors, to create an investment climate that attracts capital, and to foster a clear policy to diversify the sources of income in the national economy, without neglecting to develop the resources of Bahraini families that are the pillar of our national development,” HM the King said.

HM the King highlighted in his speech the responsible role of the National Assembly (House of Representatives and Shura Council) in serving the aspirations and needs of the people of Bahrain in different fields that included social, security and judicial matters.

“The National Action process, with all its firm constitutional foundations agreed upon by our loyal people, with unprecedented free will, to mark an important historical start, through which the bases of the modern civil state have been founded on the rule of law and institutions, separation of powers and popular participation in decision making. This has allowed our comprehensive national renaissance to remain committed to achieving a promising vision that never deviates from the development of the nation and the welfare of its citizens,” HM the King remarked.

 “The requirements of reform and development in our changing world, with its opportunities and challenges, call for a clear vision to ensure a smooth development process. On this level, the Kingdom of Bahrain has been able to meet these requirements, proceeding from our comprehensive national project, from which stems Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 and its principles which instil justice, competitiveness and sustainability to attain leadership in performance and achievement,” HM the King said.

“In this context, we take pride in the honourable achievements of the people of Bahrain at international forums, which embody their true attachment to and love for this blessed land, the cradle of civilization and the spring of good and prosperity.  Our esteemed Government, led by our dear uncle, HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, is playing its role and assuming its national responsibilities with all sincerity and dedication to follow up on the implementation of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s development policies, at the forefront of which is the Government Action Plan which has already been able to exceed the required performance rate, and to work on increasing the efficiency of programs and services in support of economic growth and those offered to citizens, with the focus on policies that enhance the role of the private sector as a main driver of economic growth,” HM the King said.

40,000 housing units

In his speech HM highlighted  the nation’s achievements. “We commend here the results of the housing plans which, in line with our directives, have committed to distributing 40, 000 housing units to Bahraini families and building five new residential cities. As part of the esteemed Government’s efforts to strengthen the country’s financial and economic capacity, we direct that the necessary steps be taken to achieve balance between expenditures and public revenues, and to increase oil and non-oil revenues in order to attain financial sustainability, consistent with the country’s policies to diversify the economy,” HM Majesty the King said.

Legislature hailed

Praising the efforts paid by the two branches of the Legislative Authority, the House of Representatives and Shura Council, HM the King underlined the main legislations passed during the previous three years, serving the people of Bahrain and their interests.

“We would like to commend, here, the advanced laws that have been put in place to regulate the financial, commercial, real estate and investment sectors, and to approve the state budget and follow up on its implementation. This has reflected positively on the economic and investment environment in a manner that is consistent with the policies and plans of the institutions concerned, especially the Economic Development Board, led by our dear son, the Crown Prince, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, leading Bahrain to achieve remarkable results in terms of economic freedom and development of the information and communications sector. We also applaud the initiatives of the legislature which aim to boost the level of social stability, among the most important of which is the Family Law, that came in the form of a consensus and unified formula stemming from the provisions of the Islamic Sharia’a, and in support of the tremendous attention the Kingdom accords to the status of the Bahraini family in general, and women in particular, who deserve all respect. It’s a matter of pride that Bahraini women today exceed the traditional stages of empowerment to reach the higher status they now enjoy, as they represent a high percentage of the country’s public and private sector employees,” HM the King said.

‘Fighting terror a must’

HM the King has hailed the efforts of the anti-terror Quartet and the current boycott of countries supporting terrorism headed by Qatar, underscoring the Kingdom is a vital role-play in fighting terrorism in the region.

“The Kingdom affirms its adherence to the basic principles declared by the countries calling for the fight against terrorism and uncovering the supporters and funders of terrorism who adopt political agendas that aim to fabricate crises, divide ranks and threaten the security and stability of the region,” HM the King said.

HM also hailed the vital role of security establishments in the Kingdom. 

Thanking the defence and security forces for their vigilance, wisdom, patience, dedication and sacrifice in preserving the security, sovereignty and stability of our dear Kingdom, HM the King said: “The security and stability of Bahrain is always linked to the readiness and vigilance of its people to defend their social cohesion and national solidarity, based on the principles of coexistence, tolerance and pluralism.”

“These values have shaped the features of our civilised society, which has always carried to the world its own vision on religious respect, peaceful coexistence and civilisational dialogue, the very thing that makes Bahrain’s voice heard and its position prestigious in terms of reinforcing and spreading peace and serving humanity,” HM the King said.