Cabinet upbeat over economic growth

Manama : The weekly Cabinet meeting chaired by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at the Gudaibiya Palace yesterday expressed satisfaction with the 4.3 per cent growth attained in the non-oil sector in the first quarter, affirming the government’s keenness on increasing the sector’s contributions, given its importance in boosting economic growth.

The Cabinet session, which was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, also reviewed the key economic indicators of the first quarter of this year.

A memorandum presented by the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister showed that the Kingdom’s GDP posted a growth of 2.8 per cent, at BD3 billion.

The trade deficit decreased by 109 per cent in the first quarter of 2017, compared to the same quarter of 2016, with exports posting an annual growth of 22.4 per cent, imports increasing by 7.4 per cent and the total non-oil trade volume reaching BD1.85 billion.

Data reviewed yesterday also showed a steady growth in the tourism sector as reflected in the increase of the sector’s contributions to the Kingdom’s GDP, from 3.4 per cent  in 2015 to 6.1 per cent at the end of 2016, as well as in the increase of residence nights per tourist from 1.7 to 2.8 nights.

The economic indicators of the first quarter of 2017 also revealed that a total of 30 investment licenses, worth BD 17 million, had been issued.

Tackling tourism, HRH Premier gave directives to develop the sector and diversify tourism events in order to provide more choices for tourists visiting the Kingdom.

Commenting on tourism sector indicators, the Prime Minister gave instructions to continue adopting initiatives and programmes to increase the Kingdom’s tourism attraction potentials and contribute to revitalizing the sector.

Development projects

HRH the Prime Minister gave directives to six ministries representing service sectors, including the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister, Health Minister, Education Minister, Labour and Social Development Minister and Youth and Sports Affairs Minister to make field visits to Umm Al-Hassam, the Duraz village and other villages on the Budaiya Highway to identify the needs of the citizens there, follow up on the currently-implemented projects, and address shortcomings, if any, in facilities, roads, sanitation, health centres, youth centres, schools and housing.

Draft law reviewed

The Cabinet reviewed a draft-law on amending some provisions of the Judicial Authority Law promulgated by Decree-law 42/2002, proposed by the Council of Representatives, and then referred it to the Legislative Branch, along with a memorandum on the government’s opinion on it, in accordance with the constitutional and legal procedures in force.

The session discussed a number of proposals, and endorsed the draft government’s replies to them, as prepared by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs.

The proposals were related to the auction of special vehicle number plates, traffic lanes, investment of part of the funds of the General Organisation of Social Insurance and services to amateur fishermen.

Narcotic Drugs Law amendment discussed

The Cabinet session yesterday discussed amending the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.

The amendment, will allow import, export and transport of these substances under the supervision of the Ministry of Health. 

It also stipulates the merger of the terms of reference of the National Committee for Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Affairs and the National Committee on Combating Drugs, under the chairmanship of the Interior Minister.

Also including some organisational regulations related to the relevant Health Ministry sides, the bill on amending some provisions of the Narcotic 

Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law, presented by the Health Minister, was referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs for further study.

Executive-legislature cooperation lauded

The Cabinet meeting held yesterday at Gudaibiya Palace lauded the achievements of the Executive and Legislature during the third session of the fourth legislative term, thanks to their fruitful cooperation at the legislative and monitoring levels.

The outstanding achievements included mainly the ratification and issuance of the Family Law, the General State Budget for the two fiscal years, 2017 and 2018, and the Alternative Penalties and Procedures Law.

The Cabinet lauded the cooperation of the House of Representatives and Shura Council, in order to maximize the national achievements, consolidating the Kingdom’s parliamentary experience as one of the fruits of the National Project spearheaded by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

HRH the Prime Minister also praised the participation of HRH the Crown Prince in the opening ceremony of the Mohammad Najeeb Military Base in Egypt. HRH Premier also extended congratulations to the Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on the base opening, lauding the Mohammad Najeeb Military Base, being the largest of its kind in the Middle East and a new accomplishment that adds to Egypt’s outstanding military record.

The session expressed its support to the measures taken by sisterly Saudi Arabia to safeguard its security and stability, as well as those of the region, particularly regarding its efforts to root out terrorism and dry up its sources through successful security operations, including the recent one in Qatif.

Commenting on the Al-Abdali terror cell in Kuwait, the cabinet stressed its full-fledged support to the measures taken by sisterly Kuwait against the cell, reiterating Bahrain’s full standing with Kuwait and solidarity with its in facing everything that may target its security and stability.