His Majesty King Hamad was congratulated by parliament speaker Fouzia Zainal on the Grand Star Medal of First Class bestowed on him by the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences. The honour was in recognition of His Majesty’s efforts to develop science and technology and his role in strengthening relations between Bahrain and Russia.
Premier praised
His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa received a cable of congratulations from Oman’s Council of Ministers Deputy Premier Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said on his successful medical check-ups. The Premier was also congratulated by Palestinian Ambassador Taha Mohammed Abdul Qader and Fuad bin Hussain Shwaiter.
Economy in focus
Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed Alzayani yesterday met Shura Council economic and financial affairs committee chairman Khalid Al Maskati and members. The minister separately met a visiting German business delegation, led by Roland Meissner, and discussed activating joint private sector agreements.
Services review
Education Minister Dr Majid Al Nuaimi yesterday received MP Zainab Abdulameer and briefed her about development programmes and services.
Support urged
Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel Humaidan yesterday received Bahrain Trust Foundation chairwoman Dr Fatima Mohammed Al Balushi, and stressed support to all NGOs in their efforts to strengthen community partnership.
Condolences
Parliament speaker Fouzia Zainal yesterday stressed that the patriotic stances of national figures will always remain engraved in the nation’s memory. She made the remarks while lauding the qualities and legacy of Jassim bin Mohammed Murad, who passed away. She extended condolences to his family.
MPs received
Information Affairs Minister and Bahrain Institute for Political Development chairman Ali Al Rumaihi received MPs Mohammed Isa Al Abbasi and Mohammed Khalifa Bu-Hamoud, and discussed media co-operation.
Museum visited
Commander of the GCC Unified Military Command Lieutenant General Eid bin Awadh Al Shalawi visited Bahrain Military Museum. He was briefed on the museum’s historical collectibles, artistic military paintings and models which are considered as a documentation archive of Bahrain’s military history.
Bahrain-Saudi security committee meets
Public Security chief Major General Tariq Al Hassan led an Interior Ministry delegation to the second meeting of the joint security committee between Bahraini and Saudi interior ministries in Riyadh. He conveyed greetings from Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa to his Saudi counterpart Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif Al Saud.
Maj Gen Al Hassan hailed strong and historical ties between the two countries, highlighting the importance of the meeting and discussed projects and initiatives.
The meeting reviewed the progress of the joint security teams, in which the technical team will set mechanisms to implement the initiatives. The joint security committee was formed during the visit of Saudi interior minister to Bahrain last year.
The delegation included the Customs president and top Interior Ministry officials.
BD600m investments
Joint investments between Bahrain and Germany reached about BD600 million in the sectors of health, education, legal affairs, finance, tourism, IT, tax advisory services, energy, architecture, media and real estate.
Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry board member Khalid Rashid Al Zayani told our sister paper Akhbar Al Khaleej that such investments create thousands of job opportunities for Bahrainis, especially in downstream industries. Bahrain holds great potentials for Germany, being very close to Saudi Arabia, the biggest market for the food industry.
Panel rejects more taxes
Parliament’s committee tasked with reviewing the Government Action Plan said it rejects any further taxes or fees in the plan.
Committee chairman Ali Zayed told our sister paper Akhbar Al Khaleej that the committee needs more clarification about the fiscal balance programme and how to implement it without burdening citizens with more taxes. He described the action plan as good in general but some points need more explanation.
The government’s objective is to redefine the role of the public sector, which means that it intends to push for further privatisation. MPs have no objection to this policy provided that Bahrainisation and the level of services are maintained. Privatisation should not be at the expense of citizens, he said.
The committee will hold a meeting with government officials next Sunday to discuss certain aspects of the plan.
Terror convicts ‘were tried on basis of crimes’
Terrorists with links to a fugitive were convicted after legal proceedings, said the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science following reports of their arrests. “They had committed terrorist crimes and were tried on that basis.
Suspects are prosecuted in accordance with their crimes and not on the basis of their family’s personal relations with criminals. The three convicts who had links with terror fugitive Ahmed Al Wadaei are: Hajer Mansoor Ali, 51, and Mahmood Marzooq Hassan Ali, 32, both serving a three-year jail term each for planting a fake bomb to terrorise citizens and residents as well as disturb security; and Nazar Naama Baqer Al Wadaei, 21, who is serving a 10-year jail term for arson, as well as making and possessing bombs,” the directorate added.
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