Bahraini PM chairs regular weekly cabinet meeting

His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa wished the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdulla bin Abdulaziz Al Saudi speedy recovery, praying Allah Almighty to grant him abundant good health and guide him on the right path so as to carry on serving the Saudi people and the Arab and Islamic nations.
HRH Premier recalled with appreciation the crucial and pioneering role played by King Abdulla in GCC, Arab and Islamic arenas, and landmark contributions to enhancing joint Arab action, and consolidating unity among Arab countries.
This came as HRH Premier chaired at the Gudaibiya Palace today the regular weekly cabinet meeting, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier.
Following the session, the Secretary-General of Cabinet Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Nasser stated that the cabinet had welcomed the forthcoming visit of the Pakistani Prime Minister Mohammed Nawaz Sharif to kingdom.
The cabinet praised the role of the visit in bolstering bilateral cooperation, expressing hope that it will strengthen the existing outstanding friendly relations.
HRH Premier called upon ministries and government bodies to continue the process of self-auditing to protect public money from being wasted or squandered.
In this regard, he praised the crucial role of the annual report of National Audit Office (NAO) in monitoring administrative and financial practices and preserving public money, hailing NAO, which he described as an independent constitutional body, and one of the fruits of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's national project.
HRH the Prime Minister directed all ministries and government departments to rectify the irregularities featuring in NAO's annual report. He tasked the Executive Committee, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, to investigate into the substantial remarks and recommendations made by NAO in its 2013-2014 report.
HRH Premier commended the tremendous efforts exerted by the Executive Committee in investigating into the irregularities revealed by the previous report and the series of transparent and firm decisions it had taken against those found guilty of mismanagement of public funds.
In another context, HRH Premier affirmed that the government blueprint that will be presented to the Representatives Council Tuesday, will represent a political, economic, social and security roadmap that will promote stability, achieve justice and rule of law and pave the way for increasing economic growth.
It will also upgrade the citizens' standards of living through high-quality services that keep abreast of changes in education, health, housing and effective social care, organise the labour market, and provide an advanced infrastructure that meets the requirements of economic growth and sustainable resources management, he added.
The cabinet discussed the final text of the government action plan for 2015-2018, expressing hope that it will embody constructive cooperation with the legislative branch.
HRH Premier also directed the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry to follow-up on the needs of Isa Town regarding services, facilities, roads and infrastructure.
He also instructed the Housing Ministry to take the needs of Al-Hamala citizens in the second phase of the Al-Hamala Housing Project into account, and strike a balance between the need to preserve the social fabric of regions and the date on which applications were submitted.
HRH Premier also directed to address the issue of personnel surplus and job expansion in departments, and instructed the Committee for Controlling and Rationalising Expenditures and Enhancing Income and Productivity, chaired by Deputy Premier Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, to deal with the issue in order to reduce expenses.
The same committee, formed as per an Edict by HRH Premier on April 16, 2013, was directed to submit an executive plan to implement its recommendations.
The cabinet reviewed a memo presented by the Housing Minister on amending the housing system to order to expand the eligibility criteria and benefit more citizens, and referred it to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs for further study.
The Council of Ministers approved the Saudi standards regarding the importation and manufacturing of air-conditioners to be sold in Bahrain, and requested the Industry and Commerce Ministry to take the necessary procedures.
The cabinet also endorsed nine Memoranda of understanding signed with Malaysia on environment, and control over precious metals and pearls.
They also included cooperation in consumer complaints, development of industrial zones, development of small and medium-sized enterprises, standardization and quality in electricity, water, renewable energy, and agricultural and livestock, Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Nasser also said.