Kingdom to spearhead tourism development

Manama : Considering tourism as a major growth engine of national economy, the Cabinet session held yesterday anchored on developing the tourism infrastructure in the Kingdom by increasing the number of tourist resorts and facilities.

Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa issued instructions to develop logistic services that assist tourists and visitors, stressing the need to tighten control to eliminate any negative practices that may harm the tourism sector in the Kingdom.

In a related context, the session, chaired by the Premier at the Gudaibiya Palace yesterday agreed to allow the ownership of certain public transport activities by foreign investors. 

According to a memorandum presented by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, foreign investors can own internal tourism transportation activities by 100 per cent, and by 49 pc in other public transport companies if there is a Bahraini partner who owns 51 pc.

On the other hand, the session also decided to limit the car rental activities to Bahrainis, while preventing foreigners from ownership in this sector.

Major decisions 

* Rehabilitation process of the Tubli Bay to speed up.

*Outstanding results of students in TIMSS exam hailed.

* Housing needs of the Nabeeh Saleh villagers to be fulfilled.

* Property in Umm Al-Hassam to be acquired and converted into car parking lots.

* Draft law on adjusting fees levied on Civil Aviation Affairs services approved

* Convention on the ‘Suppression of Unlawful Acts Relating to International Civil Aviation’ ratified

* Livelihoods of its merchants and staff of the Isa Town traditional market to be protected