The Deputy Prime Minister, HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, today chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting, held remotely.
The Cabinet recognised the importance of complying with COVID-19 precautionary measures as the situation evolves, along with the important role vaccinations and booster shots play in support of national response COVID-19 efforts.
On the occasion of World Antidrug Day, the Cabinet thanked the Ministry of Interior and all those who continue to fight the war on drugs, emphasising the importance of strengthening cooperation with the international community to tackle illegal drugs.
The Cabinet directed the commencement of payments, through the Unemployment Insurance Fund, of the salaries of insured Bahrainis working in companies in the sectors most impacted by COVID-19. The support, which will last for a 3-month period with 100% compensation in the first month and 50% for each of the second and third months, forms part of the overall economic stimulus package designed to support the stability of the labour market. In this regard, the Cabinet reviewed the memorandum of His Excellency the Minister of Finance and National Economy regarding the mechanisms for implementing a decree-law on unemployment insurance.
The Cabinet then outlined the efforts of various stakeholders in the implementation of health service initiatives and the promotion of primary health care, in response to the order of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to provide services 24 hours a day at 9 health centers in various governorates of the Kingdom.
The Cabinet congratulated Gulf Air on the occasion of its 70th anniversary, noting that the company’s achievement of implementing its development plans and programs have enhanced its position in the aviation industry.
The Cabinet discussed a number of memorandums during the meeting and outlined the following:
Firstly, the approval of the following memorandums:
- A memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding the declaration of intent between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the United Nations in Bahrain regarding the provision of technical support in preparing the National Human Rights Plan, which aims to enhance capacity-building and national expertise in the areas of human rights.
- A memorandum by HE the Minister of Interior regarding the classification of a number of entities and individuals as terrorist organisations or those involved in terrorism.
- A memorandum by HE the Minister of Interior in relation to a number of recommendations in preparation for the United Nations report on the e-government readiness index and related development.
- A memorandum by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs regarding the government’s responses to a proposal and two legislative proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives.
Secondly, the Cabinet reviewed the following topics:
- HE the Minister of Finance and National Economy’s memorandum concerning Q1 2021 Economic Quarterly Report, which demonstrated year-on-year nominal GDP growth albeit a decline in year-on-year real GDP growth. Oil-GDP witnessed growth, supported by higher levels of oil production and improved global market prices, while non-oil GDP declined as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report also reflected labour market stability and an improvement in the performance of a number of key economic indicators, attributed to the support given to sectors most impacted by COVID-19 though the financial and economic stimulus package, as well as progress of ongoing strategic infrastructure projects and competitiveness indicators.
- The reports of Their Excellencies the Ministers on the results of exams and general certificates for the academic year 2020/2021, the plan and preparations of the Ministry of Education for the next academic year, and on the outcomes of the meeting of the Commercial Cooperation Committee (60) for Their Excellencies, the Ministers of Industry and Trade in the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and on participation in the thirtieth meeting of the Committee for Electricity and Water Cooperation in the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.
Source: Bahrain News Agency