The Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, yesterday lauded the visit of His Majesty the King, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to Britain and his talks with Premier Tony Blair.
Chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting, Shaikh Khalifa expressed satisfaction with the advanced Bahraini-British relations in all fields and the keenness of both kingdoms to further develop ties.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs briefed the Cabinet on the talks between HM the King and Blair.
Shaikh Khalifa lauded the efforts of members of the Shura Council and the Chamber of Deputies, on the conclusion of the first legislative term of parliament and said both houses aimed to achieve the citizens’ aspirations and concerns. He also stressed cooperation between the two houses which helped in pushing the national movement forward, affirming the government’ keenness on bolstering cooperation with parliament. This, he said, would lead to further accomplishments and prosperity for the country.
Then the Cabinet was briefed by the Minister of Interior on the results of the meeting of the countries neighbouring Iraq held in Turkey.
The Cabinet also reviewed the various topics that would be discussed during the consultative ministerial meeting on expat labour in Asia in Indonesia from September 20 to 21.
In light of the Civil Service Bureau report submitted by the Minister of Transportation, the Cabinet approved the re-structuring of the ministry and Civil Aviation Affairs to raise the output and the competence level of the ministry and further improve its services.
The Cabinet also approved the draft law on the unified regulation of the industrial sector among GCC states that was suggested during the 25th GCC meeting in Bahrain.
Then the Cabinet referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs, a draft law on extending insurance coverage to GCC nationals outside their countries. The proposal was submitted during the 25th GCC meeting in Bahrain.
The ratification of some articles of Law no. 13 for 1875 related to the retirement pensions for government employees was also discussed. The move aims to permit private sector employees to add their service when they switch to the public sector as requested by the Chamber of Deputies.
Drafts submitted by the Chamber of Deputies related to the setting up of Free Trade Zone between GCC countries and Lebanon and rectifying some of its articles were also reviewed along with the ratification of Law no. 17 for 2002 on governorate regulations.
The Cabinet also discussed  social insurance for Bahrainis working in other countries.

Last update on: 1-8-2005