Manama, Dec. 23 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today chaired the weekly Cabinet Meeting at Gudaibiya Palace.
The Cabinet commended His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s address on the occasion of the celebrations of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Days, the 25th Accession Anniversary of His Majesty the King to the Throne, and the accompanying national events.
The Cabinet expressed its thanks to Bahraini citizens for their generous gestures on the Kingdom’s National Days, as well as the allied countries for their congratulations on the occasions.
On the occasion of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Days, the Silver Jubilee commemorating HM the King's 25th Accession Anniversary to the Throne, and the accompanying national events, His Royal Highness directed 6,900 varied housing services to citizens, affirming the government’s commitment to ensuring adequate living standards. In this regard, HRH directed the expansion of the Mazaya program in 2024 to an additional 1,400 beneficiaries.
The Programme has benefited over 13,000 citizens since its inauguration.
The Cabinet affirmed the importance of the Bapco Modernization Project, inaugurated by HM the King, coinciding with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Days, the 25th Accession Anniversary of His Majesty the King to the Throne, and the accompanying national events.
The project stands as the largest strategic initiative in the Kingdom’s history, representing a cornerstone in advancing the energy sector. The Cabinet noted the government’s commitment to investing in the oil and gas sector to foster innovation and enhance sustainability and competitiveness.
The Cabinet praised the efforts of His Majesty’s Representative for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bapco Energies, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, for his contributions to advancing the sector’s capabilities.
The Cabinet expressed gratitude to the national workforce for their efforts in the Bapco Modernization Project and other energy projects, emphasizing the project’s role in enhancing the Kingdom’s economy.
The Cabinet emphasized the success of the World Weightlifting Championships 2024, hosted in Bahrain under the patronage of His Majesty the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The Cabinet also commended the efforts of the First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS), Chairman of the General Sports Authority (GSA), and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, along with Bahrain’s national workforce, in ensuring the event’s organizational and participatory success.
The Cabinet then reviewed the outcomes of the 2024 performance indicators of the Kingdom's Labor Fund Tamkeen, highlighting its unprecedented achievement of supporting the employment and career development of 41,000 Bahrainis in the private sector. The Cabinet also noted that SMEs constituted 51% of beneficiaries under enterprise support programs and 54% of those receiving financial assistance.
The Cabinet credited these achievements to the unwavering efforts and support of His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Isa bin Salman Education Charitable Trust and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tamkeen, as well the Ministry of Labor. The Cabinet emphasized the importance of initiatives such as the Skills Bahrain Initiative and the Employability Skills Portal, which reflect an integrated vision for enhancing the Kingdom's labor market.
The Cabinet expressed its best wishes to students at all educational levels at the conclusion of the first semester of the 2024-2025 academic year, stressing the government’s commitment to supporting the advancement of education in the Kingdom.
The Cabinet extended its congratulations to all people celebrating Christmas in Bahrain and in allied countries, wishing them peace and prosperity.
The Cabinet then discussed several memorandums during the meeting, approving the following:
1. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding a draft resolution appointing the administrative body and the minister for private entities in the youth field and defining their competencies.
2. A memorandum submitted by the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications regarding a request for approval for the Kingdom of Bahrain’s signing of the International Telecommunication Union’s 2023 Radio Regulations.
3. A memorandum submitted by the Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Education and Training Quality Authority, regarding an approval of the Authority’s reports.
4. A memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on the government’s response to three proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives.
The Cabinet noted the following ministerial reports:
1. Outcomes of the Republic of India’s Minister of External Affairs visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain to participate in the fourth ministerial meeting of the High Joint Commission between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of India.
2. Bahrain’s participation in the Arab Ministerial Contact Committee on Syria.
3. Outcomes of Bahrain’s participation in the Zakat, Tax and Customs Conference.
4. Bahrain’s participation in the 113th meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC).
5. Outcomes of the preparatory meetings for the upcoming visit of His Majesty the King to the Sultanate of Oman.
6. Bahrain’s participation in the 27th session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism and the 35th session of its Executive Office.
7. Outcomes of Bahrain’s participation in the meeting of the Executive Office of the Arab Information Ministers Council.
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