Bahraini Cabinet lauds UNESCO-King Hamad ICT Prize renewal

The cabinet has lauded the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the inauguration of new facilities at the Royal Academy of Police (RAP), noting that they reflected his continuous support to upgrading the Public Security system.
Speaking during a press conference following today's regular weekly meeting, held at the Gudaibiya Palace under the chairmanship of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of State for Information Affairs and the Official Spokesperson of the Government Sameera Ebrahim bin Rajab stated that the cabinet had valued highly RAP's national role and excellence in dealing with violent and terrorist acts.
HM the King's directives to the Minister of Interior to promote the injured security personnel and establish a health centre equipped with the latest medical technology to treat members of the public security reflects his kindness and the appreciation of the government, citizens and residents of Bahrain, she said.
The cabinet also appreciated the success of the UNESCO King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Education. It welcomed the UNESCO’s renewal of this prize for six more years. The renewal reflected UNESCO's appreciation of the King’s efforts to promote the development of education and his continuous support of the UNESCO projects, the Minister explained.
The Council of Ministers discussed a memorandum, presented by the Minister of Shura Council and Parliament Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Authority for Qualifications and Quality Assurance of Education and Training (QAA) on approving a new set of review reports related to performance of public, private schools and vocational training institutions. It also would look at programme reviews in higher education institutions, the Official Government Spokesperson added.
She said the Ministerial Committee for the Development of Education was tasked with preparing a special report on measures to be adopted for both public and private schools students to enhance their performance in basic scientific subjects.
HRH the Crown Prince issued instructions to activate the directives of HM the King concerning the development of public beaches. The directives also called for provision of more places and services of leisure, as well as taking the necessary steps for the establishment of a public corniche in accordance with the latest urban plans, in line with government’s keenness to prepare public beaches for citizens and residents, said Sameera Ebrahim bin Rajab.
The cabinet also reviewed a memorandum presented by the Minister of Works on the tenders that had been awarded and/or offered during the third quarter of the 2014, said the government spokesperson.
She said that 27 tenders had been awarded at a total cost of BD31,542,751 - roads, sanitation and construction projects. A total of 30 tenders were offered at a total cost of BD35,465,709, for roads, sanitation and construction projects.
HRH the Crown Prince directed the cabinet to continue offering development projects that enhance the infrastructure and support the national economy.
A proposal on the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bahrain and its Cuban counterpart, was presented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
The MoU aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation. It also called for discussing issues of common interest, coordinating positions on international issues and encouraging diplomatic missions and consulates between the two countries, the Spokesperson told reporters.
The Cabinet approved the memorandum, and referred it to the concerned ministerial committee for further review.
The review on the circumstances surrounding the partial collapse of a ceiling in a shopping mall in Riffa was commended by the cabinet, the spokesperson said. The fact-finding followed the directives of HRH the Crown Prince.
The Cabinet stressed the importance of punishing whoever found behind the accident in view of the independent technical report – to be prepared by the Ministry of Works and the Southern Governorate. The report will be prepared in coordination with other private and public authorities, she added.
The success of the Bahraini business delegation's visit to China, organised by the Economic Development Board (EDB), also received the cabinet's praise. It stressed on promoting friendly economic and trade relations with other countries.
The Cabinet commended the good Sino-Bahraini relations resulting from the Royal visit to China. It praised the outcome of this visit, and stressed the importance of having similar visits to, and creating better communication channels with emerging markets to attract more forms of investment in partnership with the private sector.
The cabinet also discussed a memorandum presented by the Minister of State for Defence Affairs and Deputy Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs on a draft law to ratify the conventions of "Istisna’a" and "Wakala" between the Government of Bahrain and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). The conventions are concerned with the preservation of the pearl heritage and the revival of urban trade in the city of Muharraq.
The approved memorandum was then referred to the concerned ministerial committee, the Government's Spokesperson also said.