Give preference to Bahraini contractors, ministries told

The Cabinet chaired by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa yesterday gave directives to give preference to Bahraini contractors in the government’s construction projects, in line with the international trade regulations and the Kingdom’s obligations. The move is in line with HRH the Premier’s keenness to provide more support to Bahraini companies. The Ministerial Committee for Financial, Economic and Fiscal Balance Affairs was requested to submit the necessary recommendations in this regard.

Among other things, HRH the Premier gave directives to the Ministry of Housing to study increasing need for housing units in the Southern Governorate, while taking into account the governorate’s specific social and historical features, as well as the need to preserve the environment there. The Prime Minister also instructed the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning to provide more spaces, facilities and parks that constitute an outlet for the local citizens, requesting the Ministerial Committee for Development and Infrastructure Projects to follow up on the matter.

As part of efforts to implement HRH Premier’s directives to study and implement service projects across the kingdom’s villages and regions, the Cabinet endorsed a plan to operate a round-the-clock health centre in Hamad Town, and requested the Ministerial Committee for Financial, Economic and Fiscal Balance Affairs to provide the necessary funds. The same committee was also requested to study financing the establishment of a new health centre in Qalali, as part of the government’s efforts to ensure the citizens’ access to non-stop health care and medical services, as highlighted in a memorandum submitted by the Minister of Health.

The session discussed increasing the financial support granted by the government to disability-related public and private centres to improve the academic and professional rehabilitation of people with special needs. Outlined in a memorandum presented by the Labour and Social Development Minister, the matter was referred to the Ministerial Committee for Financial, Economic and Fiscal Balance Affairs to study it and submit the necessary recommendations on it. The session was notified by the Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning about the 271 decisions and recommendations made by municipal councils during the first session of the fifth municipal term.

One-hundred and twenty-four decisions have been approved by the Works Ministry, while 112 are being studied by other service ministries, the minister said. HRH the Premier lauded the outcomes of the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, to the United States of America.

The Prime Minister praised HRH Crown Prince’s fruitful talks with US President, Donald Trump, and senior officials in his administration, as well as the agreements signed between the two countries on the sidelines of the successful visit in the political, military and economic fields, a post-session statement by the Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr Yasser Al Nasser, said.