Manama: His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the weekly Cabinet Meeting at Gudaibiya Palace. The Cabinet commended the royal address by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on the Kingdom of Bahrain's National Days, marking the 26th anniversary of His Majesty's Accession to the Throne. The Cabinet expressed gratitude to Bahraini citizens and countries for their congratulatory messages on this occasion.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Cabinet highlighted the strong relations between Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It noted the directive by His Majesty the King to name the Al Areen Wildlife Park after His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, reciprocated by naming a park in Abu Dhabi after His Majesty the King. The Cabinet also acknowledged the UAE's celebrations of Bahrain's National Days.
His Royal Highness directed the provision of 7,000 housing services, aligning with the King's directive to accelerate the delivery of 50,000 new housing units. This initiative coincides with Bahrain's National Days and the 26th anniversary of His Majesty's Accession to the Throne. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning has been tasked with executing these efforts.
The Cabinet noted the inauguration of the renovated Manama Municipality Building by His Royal Highness. Originally inaugurated in 1962 by the late HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the building symbolizes ongoing development efforts.
The Cabinet emphasized continuing efforts to enhance social services and support programs for Bahraini citizens, ensuring prioritization of national resources in services and entitlements. This includes ongoing support for electricity and water services for first homes, and strengthening support for low-income individuals to improve their living standards.
Further, the Cabinet stressed the importance of supporting middle-income citizens by enhancing services and expanding employment opportunities. It highlighted the necessity of efficient spending to safeguard public funds and ensure social support is directed to those in need, preventing disproportionate consumption by higher-income groups.
The Cabinet extended congratulations to all those celebrating Christmas in Bahrain and abroad.
Several memorandums were reviewed and approved, including a draft resolution on civil aviation services, restructuring of government agencies for improved efficiency, a draft resolution on the Occupational Safety and Health Council, and Bahrain's accession to Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), 1973.
Additionally, reports from the Education and Training Quality Authority and Bahrain's participation in regional housing, urban development, and social affairs councils were noted.