‘Joint Gulf Shield 1’ success hailed

Manama : The Cabinet chaired by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has lauded the success of the “Joint Gulf Shield 1” military drill, the closing ceremony of which was attended by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

The ceremony was held recently in Saudi Arabia under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in the presence of senior officials from brotherly and friendly countries.

The Cabinet meeting held at Gudaibiya Palace yesterday was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier. 

The Cabinet stressed that the Joint Gulf Shield drill would strengthen the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in the security and military fields, as well as increase coordination and cooperation among the participating countries and enhance their readiness and preparedness to face challenges and threats to the region.

It also hailed the effective participation of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) in such a military gathering, and praised the high competence showcased by BDF’s servicemen throughout the drill. 

The Cabinet also welcomed the Kingdom’s election as member of the United Nations Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), noting that the milestone affirms the confidence of the international community in the human rights achievements accomplished by Bahrain during the prosperous era of HM King Hamad, as well as in the honouring by Bahrain of its international commitments and pledges in the human rights field and the success of its diplomacy.

Arab summit

The session reviewed, through a report submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the outcomes of the 29th Arab Summit “Al Quds Summit”, hosted by Saudi Arabia.

The Cabinet lauded the resolutions of the summit, highlighting their importance in enhancing Arab solidarity, strengthening joint Arab action and serving the just causes of the Arab Nation.

Draft law to protect rights of plant breeders approved

The Cabinet approved a new draft-law that protects the rights of those who produce new plant variety, discover or develop it by hybridisation or otherwise. The legislation would guarantee the plant breeder a 25-year protection for commercial production of trees and grapes and a 20-year protection for other agricultural crops.

The bill stipulates that the new plant varieties are registered in the “Register of Plant Varieties” at the Plant Wealth Directorate of the ministry in charge of agriculture. 

The draft law also regulates the rights and duties of the development and production of new plant varieties, which should meet the requirements of novelty, distinction and homogeneity, as well as carry its own name.

Aiming to provide an opportunity for plant breeders to develop new varieties with high economic value and productivity and encourage investment in this area, the bill, highlighted in the presentations of Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs and the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, was referred to the Legislature.

Cabinet decisions

• HRH the Prime Minister yesterday gave directives to the relevant authorities to the build event halls across the Kingdom as per the stipulations to meet the citizens’ needs.
• The session endorsed the establishment of a committee headed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to follow up on the implementation of the projects and initiatives launched in cooperation with United Nations agencies and organisations.
• The panel will ensure the compatibility of these projects and initiatives with the framework and priorities of the Government’s Action Plan and the Economic Vision for Bahrain 2030, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee For Legal Affairs and presented by the Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Committee.
• The Cabinet discussed the registration of the Arab Union for voluntary Work (AUVW) in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
• The AUVW, officially announced in May 2016 at the headquarters of the Arab League, includes a number of NGOs concerned with volunteering and aims to achieve cooperation among the voluntary bodies in the Arab countries, a memorandum, presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs, explained.
• The session referred to the Legislative Branch a draft-law, drafted based on a proposal by the Council of Representatives, on amending Article 18 of the Civil Service Law promulgated by Decree-Law 48/2010, along with a memorandum explaining the government’s opinion on it.
• The Cabinet discussed a proposal submitted by the Council of Representatives on allocating a land lot for an events hall in the Southern Governorate and another on allocating a building for a youth centre in Salmabad.
• The session took the necessary decisions regarding the two proposals, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs, and highlighted in the memorandum presented by the Deputy Premier and committee chairman.