HISTORY IS MADE

For the first time, Prime Minister presents GAP at the Parliament

Bahrain has crossed another milestone yesterday when Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, for the first time in Bahrain history, presented the Government Action Plan (GAP) 2015-2018 at the Parliament.

Terming the day as historic in the executive-legislative cooperation, HRH the Premier asserted that despite the challenges, the Government was keen on making its work plan a balanced development programme that meets the needs of the citizens regarding services and investment.

In his keynote speech at the Parliament in the presence of Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister said, the blueprint is “Designed to benefit all, promote justice and equality, and consolidate security and stability and will address the state budget deficit and reduce the public debt gradually.”

Addressing the MPs, the Premier said, he was confident that the joint cooperation would be effective in ensuring the implementation of this programme. “Together, we will be able to add new milestones to the national march and boost the Kingdom’s status, under His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s leadership,” Prince Khalifa said.

GAP PLUGS THE HOLE

The Government Action Plan (GAP), presented at the Parliament by Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa in the presence of Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, aims at the development of the Kingdom, from economy to housing.

On the occasion, HRH the Prime Minister said, the blueprint was aimed at achieving sustainable economic development, income sources, rationalising spending and redirecting subsidies.

“Those measures are not intended to affect the citizens’ standard of living, which requires a balance between good management of resources in terms of income and spending,” the Prime Minister said.

The Premier also noted that the internal and external financial, economic and security challenges require solid cooperation between executive and legislative branches in order to be tackled.

The blueprint, the Prime Minister said, would upgrade education, training, health, housing, social care and human development services, create job opportunities and infrastructure to comprehensive development.

20,000 housing units in four years

On housing, the Premier pointed out that a string of projects would be implemented across the Kingdom to build 20,000 units over the next four years in line with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s directives.

Education gets a refresh

Prince Khalifa affirmed that the Government would continue building new schools, and upgrading school curricula and output of higher education and scientific research, according to quality requirements and high world standards.

New health facilities

The Kingdom will continue delivering high-quality medical services with new health facilities, specialised hospitals, public health centres across the nation, the Premier said.

Airport to be expanded

Concerning infrastructure, the Premier affirmed that the Government would carry on its roads, sanitation, electricity and water projects, and expand the Bahrain International Airport.

On foreign policy, HRH the Premier stressed that the Government’s action plan emphasised the Kingdom’s commitments towards the Gulf Cooperation Council, especially regarding the transition from the “cooperation” phase to the “union”. He added that Bahrain’s role in the Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations (UN) would be consolidated and relations with brotherly and friendly countries enhanced.

GOALS OF GAP

The Government blueprint aims at

   Sovereignty and rule of law

• Strengthening security and stability and enhancing democratic institutions
• Further bolstering external relations with countries across the globe

Economy and finance

• Establishing a strong and diverse economy, and a stable financial and monetary system
• Planning strategic programmes and allocating resources efficiently

Human development and social services

• Delivery of high quality services that ensure decent living standards for all Bahrainis. λ Sustaining long term efforts to support the advancement of education, healthcare, housing, social welfare and labour market regulation

Infrastructure

• Meeting the current and future needs of all Bahrainis by providing high quality and safe infrastructure that helps achieve sustainable economic growth

Environment and urban development

• Ensuring the sustainable management of strategic resources in line with international standards to maintain a healthy environment for all

Government performance

• Enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of Government performance
• Enhancing communication to increase productivity of the public sector, in order to meet the needs of all Bahrainis

Sickle Cell tops priority

 Sickle Cell Anaemia dossier has been given priority in the GAP.

The dossier comprises uplifting health care, intensifying and developing preventive health care programmes and keeping on providing comprehensive health care for patients with sickle cell anaemia starting from examining the newborn babies, providing periodic examination services, developing training plans for medical staff and organising awareness programmes on means of prevention and care.