Manama, November 15 (BNA) His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, chaired today the weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers at Al-Qudaibiya Palace.
The Cabinet praised the speech of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the opening session of the Paris Peace Forum, which emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation in the field of scientific development and improving global governance.
The speech highlighted that a secure, prosperous and sustainable existence of mankind can be achieved through close international cooperation, especially in light of recent global events and challenges.
The Cabinet praised the official visit of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and his meeting with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates. Armed Forces His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The Cabinet affirmed that the visit will develop bilateral cooperation between the two countries. In addition, it will expand the horizons of cooperation in political, diplomatic, security, economic, industrial, commercial, tourism, energy, transportation, education, climate change, health and advanced technology fields.
Then the Cabinet was briefed on the progress made in implementing the economic recovery plan. The Cabinet noted the visits of His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, to several projects that support the development of promising sectors and Bahrain’s new tourism strategy.
In celebration of the International Day for Tolerance, which falls on November 16 each year, the Cabinet affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment to promoting tolerance, openness and pluralism to achieve the visions of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
During the meeting, the Council of Ministers discussed several memoranda with the following results:
Agree to the following notes:
1. The memorandum of the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance regarding the implementation of the Fiscal Balance Program initiatives, which aim to achieve fiscal balance by 2024.
The implementation plan covered the four approved spending rationalization initiatives, including a budget reduction of operating expenses by up to 20% for the fiscal year 2022 and an additional reduction of up to 15% for the years 2023 and 2024, in addition to the four initiatives approved to enhance non-oil revenues.
The memorandum also included a proposal to launch the budget performance and incentives system to enhance the financial planning of ministries and government agencies.
2. A memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance on a package of initiatives proposed by the Revenue Development and Private Sector Integration Task Force to develop the Kingdom’s non-oil revenues.
3. The memorandum of the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Financial Balance regarding the launch of a digital platform for planning procedures “planning” by the Urban Planning and Development Authority.
A total of 39 services will be redesigned and automated, to support digital transformation, which will improve the quality of services. Processing time will be reduced by 80% by launching SLAs.
4. A memorandum from the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding the appointment of a body competent to organize confined gatherings in accordance with Article (49) of the Real Estate Sector Regulation Law.
5 – Memorandum of the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding the extension of the agreement between the Sustainable Energy Authority and the United Nations Development Program.
6 – Memorandum of the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on a draft agreement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Italy regarding the formation of a joint committee for legal and legislative affairs. Bilateral cooperation in various fields.
7. The memorandum of the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding a memorandum of understanding between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Federal Republic of Brazil related to opening new areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
8. Memorandum of the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding the government’s response to the Parliament’s proposal.
Then the Council of Ministers reviewed the ministerial reports on: the Kingdom of Bahrain’s hosting of the 38th meeting of the Interior Ministers of the Cooperation Council countries, the visits of the Swiss Confederation, the French Republic, and the United Arab Emirates, and the results of hosting the Kingdom of Bahrain. The 114th meeting of the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee.
NS