BD4.3billion stimulus package approved

TDT | Manama

The Cabinet approved yesterday a BD4.3billion economic stimulus package to support citizens and the private sector amidst the challenges presented by the coronavirus (COVID-19).

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting at Gudaibiya Palace.

The Cabinet commended HM King Hamad’s directive to unite Bahrain’s efforts to contain the COVID-19 spread in order to safeguard the wellbeing of citizens and residents.

These are through measures taken by the government, led by HRH the Prime Minister and HRH the Crown Prince, to introduce the BD4.3 billion economic stimulus package.

Under the package, the Cabinet referred an urgent request to the Legislative Authority to enable the government to pay the wages of Bahrainis working in the private sector for a period of three months, starting from April 2020.

All necessary measures will also be taken to enable the government to pay the electricity and water bills of all individuals and companies, also for three months, starting from April 2020.

The Cabinet further decided to exempt individuals and businesses from paying municipality fees, and exempt industrial and commercial enterprises from government industrial land rent fees – both for the same threemonth period from April to June.

The Cabinet also decided to exempt tourist facilities from tourist fees from April for three months. Meanwhile, the Cabinet extended its congratulations to HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, after his safe return to the Kingdom.

The Cabinet noted that motherhood is a central building block of society and mothers throughout the Kingdom continue to receive royal support to strengthen their ability to contribute to both their working and family life.

The Cabinet welcomed the widespread public support to combat the coronavirus, which remains a testament to the Bahraini spirit.

Also at the meeting, the Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning presented the outcomes of health inspections carried out in shops and facilities across the Kingdom.

OTHER DECISIONS

• A memorandum was referred to set the framework for setting up a Board of Trustees at the Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies

• A memorandum was reviewed on the Ministry of Labour and Social Development’s plans for upcoming job fairs and the success of such events in 2019

• A memorandum was approved to transfer all data related to national youth clubs to the civil organisations system at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, to maximise the benefits of a unified and integrated electronic database

• A proposal was approved to expand Raya Road, extending from Galali to Busaiteen, to expand road connectivity for Al Dair, Samaheej and Galali villages

• A proposal was approved to build a community health centre in Khalifa Town and the allocation of a budget for the project

• A draft was approved of the government’s response to a proposal to institute preschools for boys in North Sehla, Bu Quwah, Saraya 2 and Jablat Habshi