Debt ceiling raised to BD15 billion

The Cabinet also approved yesterday to raise Bahrain’s debt ceiling to BD15 billion from BD13 billion, in order to finance the state’s general budget expenditures and to cover debt installments due during 2020 and the next two fiscal years 2021 and 2022. The approval follows a recommendation by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance.

The committee’s recommendation aims to minimise the effects of falling oil prices, which resulted in lower oil revenues, and non-oil revenues that were lower than expected due to a slowdown in global economic activity resulting from coronavirus (COVID-19) precautionary measures.

Despite the challenges, the government is committed to the Fiscal Balance Programme, which has so far achieved notable results in enhancing spending efficiency and reducing recurrent government expenditures.

The Cabinet also approved, based on the recommendation of the Civil Service Council chaired by HRH the Crown Prince, to transfer the subordination of the National Communication Centre (NCC) to the director-general of the Office of the First Deputy Prime Minister, in order to enhance the NCC’s role in unifying the government’s narrative and communication coordination.

The Cabinet was briefed on a presentation by the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministerial Committee for Development and Infrastructure projects chairman on the committee’s achievements during the first two quarters of 2020. A total of 22 meetings were held and 40 follow-up meetings, during which the committee issued 357 decisions pertaining to seven priorities.

These decisions include following up on projects financed by the GCC development programme, housing policies, public-private partnerships, housing services, food security, natural resources stewardship, and infrastructure that supports longterm sustainable development. The Cabinet approved a draft decree-law amending an article regarding the internal regulations of the Council of Representatives.

The constitutional and legal changes will amend the legislative deficiency regarding the organisation of the public debate mechanism in order to ensure it is more disciplined. The Cabinet approved a proposal regarding electricity and water support for micro, and small and medium-sized Bahraini enterprises, which has already been achieved through past decisions taken in this regard through government support for non-domestic electricity consumption segments, at up to 5,000 units, which amounted to BD24 million during 2019.

The Cabinet approved the government’s response to a proposal to remove the requirement for medical students to train at a government health institution, and to limit internships to graduates of local universities enrolled in training programmes approved by the Ministry of Health.

The Cabinet approved a proposal to convert Askar field into a youth centre alongside Askar Sports Complex, which has begun providing its services to Bahrain’s youth, and the Southern Youth Centre located in Jau. The Cabinet also approved a proposal to incorporate media and communications technology courses into government school curricula.