HM King, Prime Minister discuss national issues

Manama : His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, at Al-Sakhir Palace yesterday.

The meeting reviewed a number of national issues aimed at pushing the development process forward and achieving more prosperity for the Kingdom and its people.

HM the King stressed Bahrain’s steadfast strides towards adopting development initiatives and harnessing all potentials in order to meet the citizens’ needs and bring about more national achievements, highlighting the importance of consensus between the executive and the legislative branches in achieving more development and progress for the country and its people.

Subsidy overhaul

HM King Hamad stressed that consensus on subsidy restructuring should be given priority to ensure that government subsidies benefit the citizens who are affected by fee increase, affirming that there will be no fee hike until the joint executive-legislative committee completes its work, and until the National Audit Office makes sure that the process is in line with the laws and criteria in force in the Kingdom.

HM King Hamad thanked HRH Premier and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, for their efforts to enhance Bahrain’s progress and improve government action across various sectors, lauding the distinction of Bahraini competencies and expertise, and their role n enriching the national action march.

HM King Hamad also received, in the presence of HRH the Prime Minister, the Saudi Ambassador to Bahrain, Dr. Abdulla bin Abdul-Malik Al-Sheikh, who handed over to him a written message from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud inviting him to attend the closing ceremony of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, set to be held in Riyadh next month.

HM the King expressed thanks and appreciation to King Salman for his kind invitation, lauding the depth of the brotherly Bahraini-Saudi relations, and their steady progress in various fields.

HM King Hamad also lauded Saudi Arabia’s efforts in organising the regionally and globally-leading King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, stressing that the festival reflect the civilisational and historical depth of Saudi Arabia’s authentic heritage.