Boosting the virus fight

TDT | Manama

A draft-decree on including emergency expenses in the general state budget for the fiscal year 2020 was endorsed yesterday by the Cabinet, based on a recommendation by the Government Executive Committee, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier.

This came during the weekly Cabinet session, chaired by His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and attended by HRH the Crown Prince. The draft-decree on emergency expenses was submitted by the Minister of Finance and National Economy, and it aims to allocate a budget not exceeding BD177million to deal with the emergency expenses required for mitigating coronavirus (COVID-19) impacts and curbing its spread.

Labour Ministry’s employment e-platform under spotlight The session reviewed a report presented by the Minister of Labour and Social Development on the electronic platform aimed at accelerating communication between the Labour Ministry, employers and job seekers; as well as increasing and facilitating recruitment operations by linking employers’ data and their needs with the data of job seekers.

‘Bahraini Doctor’s Day’ to be marked in November each year The Cabinet, based on HRH the Premier’s approval, decided to mark the “Bahraini Doctor’s Day” on the first Wednesday of November each year, and to allocate an award carrying the name of HRH the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to honour Bahraini physicians who are distinguished in therapeutic and medical research.

The move is in recognition of the efforts made by doctors to preserve the safety and health of the society. It also aims to motivate the medical staff to exert more effort to improve the quality of the health services delivered to citizens and residents.

Ministerial Committee tasked to examine BCCI’s proposals HRH the Prime Minister instructed the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance to consider the proposed studies and initiatives submitted by the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the Bahraini Businessmen’s Association (BBMA) on the sectors that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The panel was also tasked to study the impacts of the pandemic on the Bahraini economy, and to submit its recommendations on the matters. Reorganisation and Bankruptcy Law to be amended The Cabinet approved, based on a recommendation by the Government Executive Committee, chaired by HRH the Crown Prince, a draft-law decree amending some provisions of the Reorganisation and Bankruptcy Law.

The bill aims to enhance transparency in the reorganisation and bankruptcy procedures, as well as to ensure the rights and role of creditors in them. Directives for Al Salhiya, Ma’ameer and Karzakan work HRH the Prime Minister requested the Housing Minister to visit Al Salhiya village and submit a report on the housing needs of the local villagers, after being informed about what has been done so far to meet their housing demands and implement his directives to allocate a housing project for them.

The Cabinet also approved proposals to further improve the environmental situation in Ma’ameer, reduce environmental loads in the region, and study a strategic assessment of the environmental impact there. The Ministry of Oil and the Supreme Council for the Environment were requested to coordinate in order to implement the proposals quickly.

A plan to develop infrastructure in Karzakan, including the development of internal roads and the sewage network in new blocks there, was referred to the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance.

Meanwhile, also during the session yesterday, HRH the Prime Minister gave directives to put in place the appropriate mechanisms to ensure the activation of the Maritime Law, including the Bahraini ‘Nokhatha’, and to tighten control over violators, with the aim of regulating fishing and protecting the marine wealth.

HRH Premier was also briefed by the Minister of Labour and Social Development on the mechanism through which the owners of private buses used for transporting students are supported during the current COVID-19 situation, just like the other social segments.

The Cabinet also expressed deep pride in HRH Premier’s International Day of Conscience initiative, stressing its importance in the midst of the current circumstances across the globe. HRH the Prime Minister also lauded the Bahraini people’s high awareness and sense of responsibility in combatting COVID-19, stressing the need to maintain the successes attained by the Kingdom so far and praising the distinguished achievements of Team Bahrain, led by HRH the Crown Prince.