The Interior Ministry has taken all necessary measures to prevent Bahrainis from heading to conflict zones. Minister of State for Information Affairs and Government's Official Spokesperson Sameera Ebrahim bin Rajab reiterated the stance as she addressed a press conference following the weekly Cabinet meeting.
"The measures are posted on the website of the Ministry of Interior", she said as she responded to a question on the potential impact of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on Bahrain and The Government's stance regarding recent regional developments. Regarding East Eker terror blast which left an on-duty policeman last Friday, she said that there are no new developments other than the details announced by the Ministry of Interior.
As for the amendment of article 9 of law 11 for 1975 on passports, she said the amended article applies to diplomatic passports. The proposed amendment was discussed and referred to the Parliament.She pointed out that the cabinet reviewed a memorandum on the future of Bahrain Aviation Fuelling Co (BAFCO) and the future of trading jet fuel to Bahrain International Airport. It was presented by the Minister of Finance, Minister Supervisor of the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA).
The memorandum proposed that the authority and Bahrain International Airport form a joint committee to examine the status quo of selling, trading and supplying jet fuel to Bahrain International Airport. It also looked at developing and implementing optimum measures until a new company is established, the Spokesperson said.
A memorandum regarding the registration fees for lawyers entering the profession, those renewing their licence as well as for internees met with cabinet approval. The memorandum was presented by the Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs, said the Official Government Spokesperson, Sameera Ebrahim bin Rajab said.
The hospitality extended by the Kuwaiti leadership to the Bahraini Prime Minister on his latest visit to Kuwait was commended by the cabinet. The premier discussed the recent Arab and regional developments with the Kuwaiti leadership, she said.
A memorandum on a proposed law ratifying an agreement on the encouragement and protection of investments between both the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Russian Federation was approved by the Cabinet. The agreement aims to encourage and protect investments between the two nations. It also includes mechanisms adopted for redressing disputes between the two contracting parties. The document was presented by the Minister of State for Defence and Vice-President of the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs, she added.
Another memorandum, a similar draft law between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Government of Tajikistan, was also approved. The agreement also aims to create optimum conditions for enhancing cooperation between the two countries. The major cooperation is in investment. It also includes provisions for dispute redressal, the Spokesperson added.
A memorandum presented by the Minister of State for Defence, Vice-President of the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs, on the draft law ratifying the Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income between the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Government of Tajikistan, she said.
The agreement will provide legal, regulatory and economic environment for avoiding double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and capital gains tax between the two countries.
The cabinet discussed a memorandum presented by the Minister of Shura Council and Parliamentary Affairs. The memorandum pertained to the fourth session of the third legislative term of the council of Representatives and the Shura Council, for the period October 23 to June 26, 2014, the spokesperson added.
The memorandum contained a statistical review of the achievements of the legislative authority during the past eight months and a list of the laws ratified by the Council of Representatives and the Shura Council. The cabinet emphasised the importance of laws issued by the executive authority. The Ministerial Committee for legal affairs was commissioned to follow-up on the preparation of the executive and explanatory regulations, required for certain laws, and render them more effective upon implementation.
The cabinet also reviewed a memorandum on the future of Bahrain Aviation Fuelling Co (BAFCO) and the future of trading jet fuel to Bahrain International Airport. It was presented by the Minister of Finance, Minister Supervisor of the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA).
It proposed that the authority and Bahrain International Airport form a joint committee to examine the status quo of selling, trading and supplying jet fuel to Bahrain International Airport. It also looked at developing and implementing optimum measures until a new company is established, the Spokesperson said.
Proposals from the lower House, the Council of Representatives, met with cabinet approval. The items include amendment to Article (9) of Law 11/ 1975 concerning passports. Another proposal was related to parliamentary approval for amendment to the law of the Court of Cassation (law 8/ 1989,) draft law amending Law, issued by law 21 / 2001, another proposal to establish a fund for victims of car accidents, draft law on postage, amendment to certain provisions of the decree-law 54 / 2002 concerning the internal regulations of the council of representatives.
A proposed amendment to certain provisions of the law regulating pensions and bonuses for officers and members of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) and Public Security and certain provisions of law 19 / 2006, concerning labour market regulation, she said.