MANAMA: Bahrain has created strategic food stock reserves for six months because of the exceptional global health crisis.
It has been created on orders from His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince Prime Minister.
This buffer stock has been created in a record time, says Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed Alzayani.
The ministry drew up a plan in March, he said in a written reply to a question by MP Isa Al Qadhi on the country’s strategic food reserves.
The plan was endorsed by the Government Executive Committee, he said.
The minister said the ministry received directives to ensure food reserves on March 8. On March 17, a meeting was held with representatives of food companies to review the project requirements and on March 23 a budget was allocated.
From March 24 to April 2, import and storage agreements for a six-month period were signed and import operation was started, he noted.
A team in charge of implementing the plan prepared a detailed study including a list of basic food items to be provided in emergency cases in accordance with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Mr Alzayani said.
The ministry’s role comprises controlling and inspecting the private sector to ensure food reserves are available under all circumstances, he pointed out.
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