HRH Premier, who was addressing the Cabinet meeting said that Saudi Monarch’s proposal to set up a Centre for Dialogue between Islamic Sects, to be headquartered in Riyadh, adding that it will play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges faced by the Islamic Ummah, avert sectarian division and sedition and preserve Muslims’ unity.
HRH Premier praised the importance of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s visit to the United Kingdom where he held fruitful talks with Prime Minister David Cameron and exploring the ways of consolidating the distinguished friendly Bahrain-UK ties and enhancing joint cooperation in all fields.
The cabinet welcomed the positive outcome of the Extraordinary Islamic Solidarity Summit, held in the holy city of Mecca at the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdulla bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
HRH Prime Minister congratulated students and the administrative and academic staff on the new academic year 2013-2014, wishing them every success.
He also asserted that the implementation of the government’s strategy to provide education for all students nationwide and transport for those who need it, including those with special needs, will continue.
The Education Minister Dr. Majid bin Ali Al Nuaimi briefed the cabinet on the Education Ministry’s preparations for the new school year, explaining that a total of 129000 students, among whom 10000 new ones will join the Kingdom’s 206 government schools, of which two are new, and those 2.1 million books have been provided.
HRH Premier instructed the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) to coordinate with the Social Development Ministry and the Finance Ministry and study the project aiming to increase the number of low-income families benefitting from government subsidies regarding electricity and water fees from 10000 to 15000, in line with the government’s keenness to ensure decent living for all social segments.
HRH Premier reviewed the government’s achievements regarding dilapidated houses, instructing the Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry to examine their situation in order to ensure the safety of the citizens living in them as well as those next to them.
Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Dr. Joma’a Al Ka’abi informed the cabinet that the government has already finalized repairing and rebuilding 750 dilapidated houses and that 250 are under re-construction, highlighting the obstacles that delayed the speedy completion of the project, including owners and heirs.
The cabinet also requested the Finance Minister to submit a detailed report on the issue of dilapidated houses following its decision to refer it to the housing ministry.
On the state budget for the two fiscal years 2013 and 2014, HRH Premier instructed all ministries and state departments to submit their visions as soon as possible.
The cabinet endorsed a national plan to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and reduce mortality rates by 25pc among citizens aged between 30 and 70 who suffer from heart, vascular, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases within the next 15 years.
The strategic goals of the plan include upgrading primary care and prevention procedures, improving health services for patients and their families and increasing follow up mechanisms.
The cabinet also approved a proposal to re-organise the e-Government Authority in light of the memo submitted by the Deputy Premier and Deputy Head of the Civil Service Bureau and requested the concerned sides to take the necessary legal and executive procedures.
The Beijing Amendment to Montreal Protocol (1999) on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was also approved and referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs.
During the same session, the cabinet also endorsed the kingdom’s hosting of the 30th meeting of GCC Labour Ministers in 2013 and the Representatives Council’s proposals to establish a central market in Isa Town and create a health system of periodic prostate checkups and examination.
Another proposal to increase the budget allocated for the acquisition of land for public interest in order to set up public service facilities in old neighbourhoods was also approved.