Bahrain Cabinet launch 24 initiatives to develop Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs services

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Bahrain Cabinet launched 24 initiatives to develop the services of the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA). These initiatives, finalized after reviewing a memorandum submitted by the Interior Minister, are part of Bahrain’s Economic Recovery Plan and will contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of the Kingdom and supporting development across economic, investment and service sectors.

They include the expansion of instant and electronic visas, the King Fahd Causeway visa, the introduction of the trusted traveller system and a training visa, the introduction of a residence permit for foreign wives of Gulf nationals, the issuance of electronic passports, the cancellation of arrival cards, the delivery of passports inside and outside the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the reduction in the price of the multi-entry visa.

The decision was taken today during the weekly Cabinet Meeting at the Gudaibiya Palace chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The Cabinet also affirmed the importance of the US Trade Zone in furthering economic progress, commercial investment, and bilateral trade cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America.

The Cabinet welcomed the laying of the foundation stone for the American trade zone, which follows the announcement of the investment and strategic projects package, part of Bahrain’s Industrial Sector Strategy (2022-2026) and Economic Recovery Plan.

The Cabinet expressed its sincere congratulations to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the Kingdom’s first celebration of Founding Day. The Cabinet highlighted the depth of culture and history within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as the progress it has made in its development across many sectors, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the support of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Cabinet congratulated the Emir, government and citizens of the State of Kuwait on their 61st National Day and 31st Liberation Day. The Cabinet commended the progress and prosperity witnessed by Kuwait under the leadership of its Emir, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and the support of its Crown Prince, His Highness Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Following a review of the latest developments in Ukraine, the Cabinet expressed its hope that diplomacy would prevail, and differences would be resolved by peaceful means, without escalation. The Cabinet also expressed its hopes that the international community's efforts would be focused on bringing about lasting and comprehensive peace.

The Cabinet discussed a number of memorandums during the meeting with the following outcomes:

The approval of the following memorandums:

1. A memorandum by the Government Executive Committee on the Kingdom of Bahrain’s afforestation plan, which aims to double the number of trees by the year 2035. Mangrove trees will be quadrupled, in line with the goals of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26). The plan also includes a number of initiatives, such as increasing the number of trees in government projects, encouraging community partnership to increase green areas, providing policies that support afforestation and encouraging individuals to participate in afforestation.

2. A memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding the government's response to 3 proposals, and two law proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives.

The Cabinet reviewed the following topics:

1. A memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Development and Infrastructure Projects on a summary of the committee’s work in 2021. The summary includes the most important topics discussed by the committee and their priorities in accelerating the implementation of projects.

The Cabinet took note of a ministerial report by the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, regarding Bahrain’s participation in the international technological conference LEAP, which was held in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.