Parliament, government cooperation hailed

TDT | Manama

His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa praised yesterday the productive and constructive cooperation between Bahrain’s parliament and government. HRH the Premier was speaking as he chaired the weekly Cabinet session, which was held virtually.

HRH Prince Khalifa’s commendation came before the royal call for the summer recess of the second session of the Fifth Legislative Term. HRH the Prime Minister expressed thanks and appreciation to the heads and members of the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives for their fruitful cooperation for national achievements, and for preserving the positive image of Bahrain’s democratic practices.

HRH the Premier added that the government, with all its ministries and agencies, is committed to devoting its efforts to preserving the health and safety of citizens and residents, and to achieve His Majesty the King’s aspirations for normalcy in people’s lives.

During the session, HRH the Prime Minister was informed about the procedures taken by the Ministry of Housing to implement his directives on meeting old applications of A’ali citizens through the allocation of the greater share of the Al Ramli Housing Project to them and to neighbouring villages.

HRH the Premier requested the same ministry to find out the best solutions to absorb the housing needs of A’ali and its neighbouring villages within the on-going housing projects, including the Al Ramli venture.

HRH the Prime Minister also requested the Ministry of Finance and National Economy to pay the salaries of public sector employees and retirees on Thursday, to enable them to meet the needs and requirements of Eid Al Fitr.

Meanwhile, the session endorsed a draft-law on determining the regulations and procedures of reconciliation in crimes, related to the violations of the Commercial Register Law. The bill allows violators to request a settlement before their referral to courts.

Settlements shall be made by paying BD1,000 for each violation, according to the regulations and conditions set in the bill, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs and outlined in the memorandum presented by the Deputy Premier and committee chairman, along with the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism.

The session also agreed to allow TTSJV company, with 68 per cent foreign-owned capital, to engage in service activities related to water transport – management and operation of public and private ports – to serve the Bapco Modernisation Programme.

TTSJV shall be exempted from the condition of the need to have a Bahraini partner, according to the provisions of Article (345) of the Commercial Companies Law, in light of the memorandum submitted for this purpose by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism.

The Cabinet was informed about the progress of the Ministry of Health’s shift to e-systems in its transactions and services, in coordination with the Supreme Council of Health. This is through implementing the National Health Information System (I-Seha), which was modified to link all sites related to confronting and combatting the spread of the COVID-19 to allow timely follow-up on infected patients and others.

The Health Ministry is implementing the National Health Insurance Scheme (Sehati) and the projects emanating from it, including the National Electronic Medical Record, which places all information about everyone in Bahrain from various health sources in one medical electronic portfolio for each individual.

The health information can be accessed by any authorised treating physician in Bahrain from their work sites at the approval of the patient. Under the “Sehati” scheme, a system to track and trace medicines dispensed in Bahrain is also implemented.

The Cabinet extended wishes of a blessed Eid Al Fitr to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, HRH the Premier and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.

The Cabinet also extended its wishes to Bahraini citizens, as well as the Arab and Islamic nations, on the auspicious occasion.