These include such commercial facilities as Manama’s Old Souq, as well as those projects that aim to preserve Bahrain’s heritage and rich history such as the Bahraini Pearl Trade. In this regard the Cabinet instructed that the Pearl Route Project go forward, taking all necessary measures.
At the end of the Cabinet meeting Secretary General of the Cabinet Dr Yaser bin Essa Alnaser, Secretary General of the Cabinet, released the detailed statement.
The Cabinet reviewed a group of projects (totaling 733) on the governmental agenda for the years 2011 – 2014, involving 38 ministries and governmental institutions; 41 of which (related to 9 ministries and governmental institutions) were supposed to reach implementation completion on the first quarter of 2013. The Cabinet discussed the reasons for the delays as put forth in a memorandum by the Minister of State for Follow up Affairs, including the ratification of the budget, delayed implementation by contractors and due to coordination issues between ministries. In response HRH the Prime Minister Prince gave directions to resolve the delays immediately, insuring that they don’t happen again and take action against those who cause unnecessary delays (whether the party implementing the project or supervising it). He stressed the importance of implementing all projects within the specified timeline in accordance to the cash flow schedule assigned to the project; and assigned the Ministerial Committee for Services and Infrastructure to study the delayed projects and the justification of the delays, and speed up their implementation process.
The Cabinet approved the nomination of Bahrain to the board membership of the International Telecommunications Union according to the memorandum submitted by the State Minister for Communications, which highlights Bahrain’s role and status in the international Telecom sector, as well as its pioneering accomplishments in this field.
The Cabinet discussed and referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs a memorandum of understanding between the National Gas and Oil Authority and the UN environmental program.
The Cabinet discussed the draft decision to establish the Occupational Safety and Health Council, organizing its work in fulfillment to the articles of Labor Law in the private sector. It has been referred to the issue to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs.
The Cabinet approved the draft law bill for the ratification of the protocol of amending the agreement between the Government of Bahrain and the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei (Darussalam) about avoiding double taxation and preventing fiscal evasion related to income taxes. The matter will now be referred to the Legislative authorities.
The Cabinet referred to the Legislative authorities a draft law bill (and a memorandum of the Government’s position) on protecting society from AIDS and protecting the rights of those who live with the infectious virus, in response to a proposed law submitted by the House of Representatives.
The Cabinet approved the following 2 proposals submitted by the House of Representatives relating to the Ministry of Education: (1) To implement the MOE’s strategy to provide land and build new schools in areas of absolute necessity in the next five years; and (2) to provide full maintenance and restoration of Isa Town Elementary School for Boys.