Halt fresh fees, taxes: PM tells ministries

Manama : His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa yesterday ordered all ministries and government departments to freeze further increase in fees or taxes that may affect the citizens until the joint executive-legislature committee reaches a consensus on the ongoing subsidy-restructuring mechanism.

The order follows a royal directive issued by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Chairing the regular weekly Cabinet session, at the Gudaibiya Palace, HRH Prime Minister also gave directives to ministries and government departments to widen the sources of income without resorting to a price increase or fee hike that may affect the citizens until a consensus is reached.

HRH Premier explained that this could be done through the optimal use of resources as well as effective policies, rationalising expenditure, avoiding unjustified spending, and attracting more investments.

Cultural events lauded

HRH Prime Minister praised the artistic, cultural and educational events held recently under his patronage, and opened on his behalf by Deputy Premier, HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, including the 44th Annual Bahrain Fine Art Exhibition, which showcases the creativity of Bahraini artists, and the graduation ceremony of the 23rd batch of the University of Bahrain (UoB) students and postgraduates, reflecting the progress of the higher education march in the kingdom. HRH Premier also congratulated the UoB graduates and their families, wishing them a fruitful future career, and commended the efforts of UoB’s academic and administrative staff.

HM’s youth initiatives

The Cabinet lauded HM King Hamad’s noble initiatives aimed at supporting and empowering youth, citing the international echoes of the “King Hamad Youth Empowerment Award” and highlighted its role in achieving sustainable development goals, shedding light on youth potentials and creativity in various countries and in grabbing the attention of the world to their distinctive experiences and effective contributions.