Thousands welcome Premier

MANAMA MANAMA: Fireworks lit up the sky as people gathered in their thousands yesterday to honour Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. The celebration in Muharraq marked the Premier's return from France, after receiving the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour, for his work for the poor, at a ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland. The festival was organised by the Muharraq Municipal Council and volunteers from the community. People lined the route from the airport to the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Causeway, welcoming the Prime Minister home. The celebration also included performances by traditional bands and Ardha dances.

The Prime Minister is today carrying Achievement Award for Bahrain Festival popular rally Palmahrk people congregating at the sight of funeral extends from the airport to the bridge welcomed Mr. Salman bin Isa Bin Hindi governor Muharraq Governorate advent of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister, where will they call to the homeland, returning from abroad after receiving highness Honor Award for outstanding achievement in the field of urban development and housing today, Monday, approved 16/7/2007 at precisely four p.m.. The governor added, saying : that this occasion dear to all our hearts in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the entire Muharraq in particular will have everyone in the reception highness in sight rally funeral befitting highness place in the hearts of everyone, renewed call to clubs and associations, charitable funds and the ministries and government institutions and private, the private sector and residents to participate in this day-Aziz, who will receive a state which has been honored as an unparalleled global and submit highness of the Kingdom and its people Quran. The governor added that the difference popular and vulnerability would exist also in the celebration from Bahrain International Airport via public transit and the end of the bridge, Sheikh Isa Bin Salman, where would naval vessels clustered in the area between bridges Sheikh Hamad and Shaikh Isa medalist Kingdom flags and pictures of the wise leadership to mark this occasion precious and dear to the hearts of everyone

====================================== 

  supplement of the newspaper Akhbar al-Khalij for the occasion of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister, the distinguished World Honor Award for outstanding achievement  

http://www.akhbar-alkhaleej.com/source/eed/30_eed.htm

Bahrain growth 'on right track' BAHRAIN is on the right track in various development fields, Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa said. The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour award is a testimony to the success of the country's strategic policies, he said in an interview with London-based Saudi magazine Al Majala. "All efforts and potentials have been dedicated to achieving economic, social and political development in the kingdom," he said in the interview for the magazine's special edition being brought out in his honour. The Premier said his government was paying special attention to economic development since the world was living in a state of constant competition to win investments and capital. He said Bahrain had ambitious plans to speed up economic growth by focusing on transformational industries, which gave an added value to the national economy, and offering more incentives for investors. This is part of a strategy to diversify income sources which Bahrain has adopted to minimise its dependence on oil, he said. Bahrain's steps towards privatisation are meant to boost the role of the private sector, find a congenial environment to attract more local and foreign investments, create job opportunities for citizens and improve their living standards and the services offered to them, the Premier said. Its strategy is not limited to the transfer of ownership of assets of some companies to the private sector, he said. It also extends to a wider range that covers the handover, implementation and operation of projects and government services to the private sector to manage them according to commercial standards, he said. The Premier said these policies had made Bahrain a prominent financial centre in the Middle East. The establishment of the Bahrain Financial Harbour strongly supports Bahrain's move to attract leading financial firms, he said. Shaikh Khalifa said the GCC's achievements had contributed to the stability and prosperity of the region. The move towards a Customs Union, unified currency and a common GCC power grid would increase co-operation, he said. On Iraq, the Premier said Bahrain supported all efforts for achieving security and stability there. Speaking on the Iranian nuclear issue, Shaikh Khalifa hoped that a peaceful solution would be reached through diplomatic channels.

========================================== 

PRIME MINISTER AND BAHRAIN LIVE MOMENTS OF AWARD GLORY
date: 02 07, 2007 

MANAMA, JULY 2 (BNA) -- HOW SPLENDID ARE THE MOVEMENTS OF REWARD AND HOW GREAT WHEN APPRECIATION COMES FROM BEYOND THE LOCAL BOUNDARIES TO ATTIRE THE TINCTURE OF UNIVERSALITY! THESE GLORIOUS MOVEMENTS WERE EXPERIENCED BY PRIME MINISTER SHAIKH KHALIFA BIN SALMAN AL KHALIFA WHO RECEIVED IN A COLORFUL CEREMONY IN GENEVA TODAY THE SPECIAL CITATION OF UN HABITAT SCROLL OF HONOUR AWARD.

THESE MOMENTS WERE ALSO SHARED BY THE PEOPLE OF BAHRAIN WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE ROLE OF THE PRIME MINISTER IN BUILDING THE BASE OF BAHRAINS BOOST AT ALL LEVELS.

WITH THE BESTOWAL OF THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD, THE PRIME MINISTER JOINS THE GROUP OF RENOWNED LEADERS WHO THE UN IN ITS CAPACITY AS A NON-BIASED ORGANIZATION THAT ADHERES TO STRICT ASSESSMENT CRITERIA, HAS TESTIFIED TO THEIR GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE FIELD OF URBANIZATION AND HUMAN SETTLEMENTS.

FURTHERMORE, THE PRIME MINISTER HAS BEEN CROWNED FOR HIS GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS IN AN INTERNATIONAL CEREMONY IN RECOGNITION OF HIS TREMENDOUS EFFORTS THAT WERE PRIMARILY CENTERED AROUND HOUSING TO PROVIDE CITIZENS WITH DECENT HABITATION, FIGHT POVERTY AND IMPROVE LIVING STANDARDS.

THE PRIME MINISTER IS SELECTED FOR THE AWARD AFTER THE ARBITRATION COMMITTEE HAS THOROUGHLY MONITORED HIS OUTSTANDING EFFORTS AND PIONEERING ROLE OVER SEVERAL DECADES TO BUILD MODERN BAHRAIN.

THE UN HABITAT HAS REPETITIVELY VISITED THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN AND INSPECTED ON THE GROUND THE PROJECTS IN EFFECT NOTING THAT THEY WERE TARGETING THE WELFARE OF THE POOR CLASSES.

THE AWARD HAS MANY INDICATIONS, THE FIRST OF WHICH IS THE SUCCESS OF THE GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN BRINGING ABOUT WELFARE FOR ALL THE CITIZENS WHO ARE CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT THE MEANS OF PROGRESS AND THE TARGET OF COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT IN BAHRAIN.

THIS DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN MANIFESTED IN THE ALLOCATION OF CONSIDERABLE BUDGETS TO THE GIANT HOUSING PROJECTS BUILT EVERYWHERE IN THE KINGDOM.

THE ISSUE OF HOUSING HAS RANKED HIGH ON THE AGENDA OF THE PRIME MINISTERS GOVERNMENT WHO BOOSTED THE BUDGET OF HOUSING PROJECTS WITH THE INTENTION OF EXPANDING HOUSING PROJECTS AND ENABLING THE
CITIZENS TO AVAIL OF THEM.

FURTHERMORE, SHAIKH KHALIFA GAVE HIS DIRECTIVES TO IMPLEMENT THE PROJECTS ON AMPLE SPACES AND TO CONTAIN ALL SERVICES AND FACILITIES TO MEET THE PRESENT AND FUTURE NEEDS OF BAHRAINI FAMILIES.

IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT TENDENCY, A TOTAL OF 23 GIANT HOUSING PROJECTS ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED TO PROVIDE 11500 HOUSING UNITS FOR THE CITIZENS AT A COST OF BD 422 MILLION, THE COMPLETION OF WHICH IS SCHEDULED EITHER FOR THE END OF THE CURRENT YEAR OR NEXT YEAR.

THE GOVERNMENT ALSO OFFERS ADDITIONAL HOUSING LOANS WORTH BD 30 MILLION AND IS PLANNING TO LAUNCH AN ANOTHER NUMBER OF PROJECTS IN TOWNS AND VILLAGES INCLUDING SALMABAD AND AALI TO BUILD 2140 HOUSING UNITS, 300 HOUSES AND 80 APARTMENT BLOCKS CONTAINING 1840 FLATS AT THE COST OF BD 88 MILLION AND WITH COMPLETION SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 2008.

AN OTHER HUGE HOUSING PROJECT, SIMILAR TO THE NORTHERN TOWN, IS BEING BUILT OVER AN AREA OF 11 KM IN ADDITION TO RECLAIMED SEA SPACE TO OFFER LAND PLOTS AT REASONABLE COST.

THE TWO-PHASE NORTHERN TOWN PROJECT, BUILT ON A SPACE OF 1067 HECTARES, COMPRISES 19 ISLANDS CAPABLE OF HOUSING 99,000 PEOPLE AND THE BD 26 MILLION BOUSAITEEN AND THOSE OF DEER AND SAMAHEEJ PROJECTS COMPRISE 87 HOUSING UNITS AND 92 PLOTS ALLOCATED BY HM KING HAMAD BIN ISA AL KHALIFA FOR HOUSING PROJECTS.
ON THE OTHER HAND, A PROJECT TO BUILD AN INTEGRAL CITY IN MID 2007 IN JIDD HAFS WILL CATER TO THE NEEDS OF 80,000 PEOPLE.
THE GOVERNMENT OF BAHRAIN HAS BROADENED THE CHANCES FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO TAKE PART IN FUNDING AND IMPLEMENTING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ON CONDITION THAT THE MINISTRY OF WORKS AND HOUSING AND THE HOUSING BANK TAKE THE NECESSARY REGULATIONS TO ENCOURAGE HOUSING INITIATIVES.
WITHIN THIS PARTNERSHIP, 7 PROJECTS WILL BE LAUNCHED THIS SUMMER TO BE COMPLETED IN 2009 AT THE COST OF BD 286 MILLION TO BUILD 452 HOUSING UNITS AND 5363 FLATS IN ADDITION TO MAKING AVAILABLE 261 PLOTS.
NEW FUNDING MECHANISMS HAVE BEEN INITIATED THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW SYSTEM RELYING ON THE SOCIAL INSURANCE FUND AND REAL-ESTATE MORTGAGES, TO LIMIT WAITING LISTS OF THOSE WISHING TO BENEFIT FROM HOUSING SERVICES AND UNLIKE IN THE US AND GERMANY, THE SYSTEM WILL BE UNDER FULL GOVERNMENT SUPERVISION.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE HOUSING REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN RECTIFIED MORE THAN ONCE TO FACILITATE THE TASK FOR POORER PEOPLE TO AVAIL OF THE AVAILABLE LOANS.
THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE BESTOWAL OF THE UN SCROLL OF HONOUR AWARD ON THE PRIME MINISTER WAS A REWARD FOR HIS STRENUOUS EFFORTS IN PROVIDING SHELTER, IMPROVING LIVING STANDARDS AND DEVELOPING MODERN BAHRAIN UNDER THE PROSPEROUS RULE OF HM THE KING.
02-JUL-2007

PM RECEIVES UN AWARD
date: 02 07, 2007   

 GENEVA, JULY 2 (BNA) -- PRIME MINISTER SHAIKH KHALIFA BIN SALMAN AL KHALIFA TODAY RECEIVED THE UN-HABITAT SCROLL OF HONOUR AWARD AT A GLITTERING CEREMONY HELD BY THE UNITED NATIONS AT ITS HEADQUARTERS IN GENEVA.

THE AWARD WAS PRESENTED TO THE PRIME MINISTER BY UN SECRETARY- GENERAL BANK -KI MOON IN THE PRESENCE OF TOP POLITICAL AND INTERNATIONAL FIGURES.

IN HIS SPEECH AT THE EVENT, SHAIKH KHALIFA AFFIRMED THAT THE AWARD ALSO HONOURS THE WORK OF THE LATE AMIR SHAIKH ISA BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA, THE GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS OF HIS MAJESTY KING HAMAD BIN ISA AL KHALIFA, WHICH ARE VERY WELL APPRECIATED BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE BAHRAIN AND IS ALSO AN INTERNATIONAL APPRECIATION FOR THE PEOPLE OF BAHRAIN.
THE PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ANNUAL AWARD FINANCED BY HIM AND SUPERVISED BY THE UN HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME WHICH WILL BE GRANTED TO TOP RESEARCHERS IN FIELDS THAT SERVE THE GOALS OF THE PROGRAMME.
AS PRIME MINISTER, I HAVE TAKEN PERSONAL INTEREST IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF LIVING STANDARDS OF ALL CITIZENS SO THAT NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND, SHAIKH KHALIFA SAID.
IN HIS ENDEAVORS TO ACHIEVE THIS, THE PRIME MINISTER HAS WORKED ON STRENGTHENING NATIONAL ECONOMY TO SUPPORT SOCIAL AND HUMANITARIAN PROJECTS AND ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, HE NOTED.
A WEAK ECONOMY CANNOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE POORER ELEMENTS OF THE SOCIETY AND THAT IS WHY ECONOMIC ASPECTS HAVE BECOME THE TOP PRIORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID.
THE BAHRAIN GOVERNMENT HAS PURSUED A VIGOROUS HOME BUILDING PROGRAMME BASED ON A POLICY OF MODERNIZATION AND URBAN RENEWAL WHILE MAINTAINING THE BALANCE AND HERITAGE OF BAHRAINS ARAB CULTURE, HE SAID.
WE HAVE ALL STRIVEN TOGETHER TO CONTINUALLY IMPROVE THE CONDITIONS OF PEOPLE LIVING AND WORKING IN POVERTY AND THE MILESTONES WE HAVE SCORED IN THIS DOMAIN WERE PROVEN BY THE INTERNATIONAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT WE RECEIVED, HE SAID.
THE AWARD MAKES THE PEOPLE IN BAHRAIN VERY PROUD OF THE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION THAT THE KINGDOM HAS ACHIEVED IN PURSUING THE UN MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS, HE SAID.
SHAIKH KHALIFA ADDED THAT THE AWARD SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE UN AND ITS AFFILIATES TO ACHIEVE PROGRESS.
THE UN CHARTER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE RIGHT OF HUMAN BEINGS TO PROPER SHELTER IS A BASIC RIGHT, HE SAID.
THIS RIGHT IS ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE CONSTITUTION OF BAHRAIN FOR ALL NATIONALS OF THE KINGDOM, HE ADDED.
FOLLOWING THAT, UN SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON PRAISED THE SUCCESSFUL STEPS TAKEN BY THE BAHRAIN GOVERNMENT TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY AND TRANSFORM THE KINGDOM INTO AN ADVANCED COUNTRY WITH A THRIVING DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY.
BAHRAIN HAS BEEN EXEMPLARY IN ITS EFFORTS TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY WHILE ALSO TACKLING ITS ROOT CASES, HE SAID.
I AM CONFIDENT THAT THIS DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT WOULD INSPIRE OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION AND BEYOND TO BENEFIT FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF BAHRAIN, HE SAID.
IN HER SPEECH, UN UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL AND UN- HABITAT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANNA TIBAIJUKA HAILED THE EFFORTS AND THE SUCCESS OF BAHRAIN IN DEALING WITH POVERTY AND IN THE ACHIEVING EQUALITY.
TIBAIJUKA AFFIRMED THE UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT PRIME MINISTER SHAIKH KHALIFA GAINED AT THE UNS JUDGE PANEL TO RECEIVE THE AWARD.
THE MAIN REASON FOR PRESENTING SHAIKH KHALIFA WITH THE AWARD WAS HIS CONTINUOUS EFFORTS TO ENHANCE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, LIMIT POVERTY AND CARRY OUT URBANIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT WHICH HAS EXTENDED TO ALL TOWNS AND VILLAGES IN BAHRAIN, SHE SAID.
TIBAIJUKA SAID SHE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE AWARD WILL ENCOURAGE SHAIKH KHALIFA AND BAHRAIN AS A WHOLE TO CONTINUE WORKING TOWARDS FURTHER DEVELOPMENT.
UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT SHAIKHA HAYA BINT RASHID AL KHALIFA THEN GAVE A SPEECH IN WHICH SHE EXPRESSED HER PRIDE IN HONOURING THE PREMIER.
IT IS IN FACT AN HONOUR FOR BAHRAINS KING, GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE, SHE SAID.
THE AWARD REFLECTS THE RECOGNITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF THE STRENUOUS EFFORTS OF THE PRIME MINISTER IN PUSHING THE WHEEL OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN BAHRAIN UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF HIS MAJESTY KING HAMAD, SHE NOTED.
SHAIKH KHALIFA AND THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL THEN OPENED THE BAHRAIN EXHIBITION AT THE UN HEADQUARTERS IN GENEVA.
A NUMBER OF MINISTRIES AND GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATED IN THE EXHIBITION TO HIGHLIGHT THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF BAHRAIN IN DEVELOPMENT AND URBANIZATION.
THE EXHIBITION FOCUSED ON ACHIEVEMENTS AND FUTURE PLANS IN HOUSING, URBAN MANAGEMENT, DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL SECTOR.
IN A STATEMENT HE GAVE FOLLOWING THE TOUR IN THE EXHIBITION, THE PREMIER SAID THAT THE GREAT DEVELOPMENT MARCH LED BY HIS MAJESTY KING HAMAD TO HAVE A MODERN COUNTRY IS A CONTINUOUS PROCESS.
THE PRESENTATION OF BAHRAIN WITH THIS AWARD HAS STEPPED WITH THE KINGDOM INTO A BRILLIANT CHAPTER OF HISTORY, HE SAID, PLEDGING TO FURTHER SERVE BAHRAIN AND ENSURE FACTORS OF PROSPERITY FOR EVERY CITIZEN.
THE EXHIBITION SHED LIGHT ON THE PRIME MINISTERS ROLE IN THE ALLEVIATION OF POVERTY AND HIS EFFORTS IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF LIVING STANDARDS THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EFFECTIVE POLICIES AND DEVELOPMENT OF URBAN AND SOCIAL STRATEGIES.
THIS WAS PRESENTED THROUGH DOCUMENTARIES AND A BOOK ON THE PREMIERS ACHIEVEMENTS, WRITTEN IN ARABIC, ENGLISH AND FRENCH.
THE LITERATURE AT THE EXHIBITION COVERED THE GOVERNMENTS EFFORTS IN ENSURING THE RIGHT OF EVERY CITIZEN TO SUITABLE LODGING.
NTQ/MT
02-JUL-2007
 

PM LEAVES FOR GENEVA

date: 30 06, 2007   

Premier stresses social institutions received the support of

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister, Cabinet called yesterday morning Mr. Mansour Hassan Bin Rajab Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture who had called Ms. Amina Abbas, President of the Foundation Bahrain Bazar. During the meeting, praised His Highness the Prime Minister what the institution Bahrain Pazar work and contribute directly to the sophistication of Bahraini families and improve human development and supports the efforts of the State in social development, He called it a permanent directive to the concerned authorities in the State to provide all forms of support and backing of social institutions and encourage the sons of the nation who sincerely working to build a renaissance of the country. I saw Ms. Amina Abbas Bazar President of the Foundation of His Highness the Prime Minister on the activities of the institution and its actions contribute to the social elite support the work of productive families.

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 PREMIER COURTS DELEGATION MEETS TOP UN OFFICIALS IN GENEVA

GENEVA, JUNE 27, (BNA)--PRIME MINISTER COURTS DELEGATION TO GENEVA, HEADED BY SHAIKH HOUSAM BIN ISA AL KHALIFA, HELD A HIGH-LEVEL MEETING IN GENEVA TODAY IN THE PRESENCE OF TOP OFFICIALS AT THE GENEVA-BASED UN HEADQUARTERS AND HEAD OF BAHRAINS PERMANENT DELEGATION TO THE UN ABDULLAH ABDULLATIF.
DISCUSSIONS WERE FOCUSED ON THE CURRENT PREPARATIONS FOR THE UN CEREMONY TO GRANT PRIME MINISTER SHAIKH KHALIFA BIN SALMAN AL KHALIFA THE UN-HABITAT SCROLL OF HONOUR AWARD. THE MEETING WAS ATTENDED BY DIRECTORS OF THE PROTOCOL AND SECURITY AND UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL THROUGH WHICH UN CHIEF BAN KI-MOON WILL PRESENT SHAIKH KHALIFA WITH THE UN AWARD. THE CEREMONIAL PROCEDURES WERE ALSO BROUGHT UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT OF THE MEETING WHICH ALSO EXAMINED THE ARRANGEMENTS MADE SO FAR TO ENSURE FULL LIVE MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE EVENT AND SUCCESS OF THE EXHIBITION WHICH WILL BE HELD ON THE OCCASION WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF A NUMBER OF MINISTRIES WHICH WILL GIVE BRIEF PRESENTATIONS BEFORE THE UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENT IN BAHRAIN AND THE GOVERNMENTS CONTRIBUTIONS TO IMPROVING LIFE STANDARDS. THE UN OFFICIALS EXPRESSED GREAT INTEREST TO ENSURE SUCCESS OF THE CEREMONY AS A TRIBUTE TO SHAIKH KHALIFA AND HIS IMMEASURABLE ACHIEVEMENTS. THE DELEGATION, THEN, TOURED THE UN HEADQUARTERS AND GOT BRIEFED ON THE ONGOING PREPARATIONS FOR THE HONORING CEREMONY AS WELL AS THE PLACE RESERVED FOR THE EXHIBITION ALONG WITH THE MEDIA FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO ENSURE A LIVE TRANSMISSION OF THE EVENT ON BAHRAIN CHANNEL

27-6-2007

PM:UN AWARD HONOUR FOR EVERY BAHRAINI: 

MANAMA, JUNE 24-2007  --- PRIME MINISTER SHAIKH KHALIFA BIN SALMAN AL KHALIFA

HAS ASSERTED THAT THE 2006 SPECIAL CITATION OF THE UN HABITAT SCROLL OF HONOUR

AWARD PRESENTED TO HIM BY THE UNITED NATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING IS NOT

FOR HIM ALONE BUT FOR EVERY BAHRAINI.

HE SAID THAT CITIZENS MAKE US REALISE HOW GOOD ARE
THE
GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND WHETHER THERE WAS NEED
TO UPGRADE THEM.
IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF THE UAE
DAILY 'AL
BAYAN', HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT POLICY IS TO
PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR
ALL PROJECTS THAT CONTRIBUTE IN THE ECONOMIC AND
SOCIAL GROWTH AS WELL
AS THOSE FACING ANY CHALLENGES IN THE COURSE OF THE
DEVELOPMENT
PROCESS.
THE PREMIER SAID THE INTERNATIONAL APPRECIATION
BAHRAIN IS
ENJOYING AT THE UNITED NATIONS WAS REFLECTED IN THE
AWARD THANKS TO
THE ACHIEVEMENTS MADE IN DIFFERENT FIELDS.
ON THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF BAHRAIN, SHAIKH
KHALIFA SAID MANY
ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE IN DIFFERENT AREAS,
ADDING THAT OUR
ASPIRATIONS HAVE NO LIMIT.
UN AWARD HONOUR FOR EVERY BAHRAINI: PM / 1ST ADD /

REFERRING TO THE BAHRAIN FINANCIAL HARBOUR, THE
PREMIER SAID IT WAS
AN INTERPRETATION OF BAHRAIN'S ABILITY TO COPE WITH
THE NEW INVESTMENT
ATMOSPHERE IN THE WORLD.
IT HAS BECOME AN ATTRACTIVE MEDIUM FOR INVESTMENT
IN LIGHT OF THE
LAWS AND REGULATIONS THAT ARE ABLE TO PROTECT THE
INVESTORS' RIGHTS,
HE SAID.
OUR AIM IS TO MAKE BAHRAIN THE TOP INVESTMENT
DESTINATION IN THE
REGION, HE SAID.
THIS REQUIRES STRENUOUS EFFORTS AND CREATIVE
INITIATIVES THAT ENABLE
US TO STAY IN THE LEAD, HE ADDED.
ON GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE, SHAIKH KHALIFA SAID
THERE WAS A KEENNESS
TO ENSURE THAT ALL GOVERNMENT SERVICES ARE
EFFICIENT AND ARE OFFERED
TO CITIZENS IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER.
THIS COULD ONLY BE ACHIEVED BY HAVING A CONTINUOUS
EVALUATION AND
REVIEW PROCESS WHICH IDENTIFIES THEIR STRENGTHS AND
WEAKNESSES, HE
SAID.
SHAIKH KHALIFA SAID THAT THE ACHIEVEMENTS IN THIS
AREA WERE THE
RESULT OF WELL-PLANNED POLICIES AND PLANS THAT,
ACCORDING TO
INTERNATIONAL REPORTS, HAVE PLACED BAHRAIN AMONG
COUNTRIES THAT ARE
ADVANCED IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC
PROSPERITY.
MANY PROJECTS AND HOUSING SERVICES HAVE BEEN
IMPLEMENTED WITHIN THE
FRAMEWORK OF A MAJOR NATIONAL HOUSING SCHEME, HE
SAID.
THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS INCREASES ANNUALLY IN
CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE
REGULAR INCREASE IN THE ALLOCATION FOR EDUCATION IN
THE BUDGET, HE
SAID, ADDING THAT SIMILAR PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE IN
THE AREAS OF
HEALTH, HOUSING AND OTHER SERVICES THAT BAHRAIN IS
PROUD TO OFFER.
IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION ON THE COOPERATION
BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE
AND LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITIES, THE PREMIER SAID THAT
THE GOVERNMENT IS
DOING ALL IT COULD TO BOOST THIS RELATION FOR THE
WELFARE OF CITIZENS.
THROUGH THE NATIONAL SCHEME LAUNCHED BY HIS
MAJESTY KING HAMAD BIN
ISA AL KHALIFA, BAHRAIN HAS BEEN ABLE TO ESTABLISH A
NEW, ADVANCED
STAGE OF EFFECTIVE POLITICAL PARTICIPATION, HE SAID.
IT HAS ALSO BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE MAJOR LEAPS IN
DEVELOPING A
PARLIAMENTARY EXPERIENCE THAT IS CONSISTENT, HE
ADDED.

TALKING ABOUT THE SECURITY SITUATION IN BAHRAIN, THE
PRIME MINISTER
SAID THAT THE MAINTENANCE OF SECURITY IN THE
KINGDOM WAS ONE ASPECT
THAT COULD NOT BE NEGLECTED OR COMPROMISED LEST
ANY HARM SHOULD COME
TO OUR NATIONAL UNITY.
HE ADDED THAT THE BAHRAINIS ARE EDUCATED AND PUT
THE INTERESTS OF
THE NATION ABOVE ALL OTHER CONSIDERATIONS IN ORDER
TO HAVE A STABLE
AND STRONG BAHRAIN.
SHAIKH KHALIFA SAID THAT HE WORKS ALONGSIDE HM
KING HAMAD BIN ISA
AL KHALIFA FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE KINGDOM AND TO
ENSURE NOTHING HARMS
THE SECURITY AND STABILITY OF THE COUNTRY.
ABOUT THE MEDIA IN BAHRAIN, SHAIKH KHALIFA SAID
THERE WAS AN OPEN
AND FREE MEDIA IN THE KINGDOM PERFORMING ITS ROLE
WITHIN THE LAWS OF
THE LAND.

THE PRIME MINISTER SAID THAT HE TRUSTED THE SENSE OF
RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE BAHRAINI MEDIA IN DEDICATING ITS ABILITIES TO
PROMOTE NATIONAL
UNITY AND HIGHLIGHT THE CIVILISED ASPECTS OF BAHRAIN.
SHAIKH KHALIFA APPRECIATED THE NATIONAL ROLE OF THE
PRESS AND
WELCOMED CONSTRUCTIVE AND OBJECTIVE CRITICISM.
HE SAID THAT MINISTRIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENT
ORGANISATIONS HAD BEEN
INSTRUCTED TO INTERACT WITH THE LOCAL PRESS OVER
THE ISSUES TACKLED BY
IT SUCH AS THE PROBLEMS FACED BY CITIZENS WHEN
DEALING WITH
OFFICIAL BODIES.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE DEEP-ROOTED TIES BETWEEN
BAHRAIN AND THE UAE
WERE WITNESSING CONSTANT DEVELOPMENT IN ALL FIELDS.
THEY ARE CONTINUOUSLY ENHANCED BY HIS MAJESTY KING
HAMAD AND UAE
PRESIDENT SHAIKH KHALIFA BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN, HE
SAID.
THE TWO COUNTRIES' BILATERAL TIES ARE AN ADVANCED
MODEL FOR
OUTSTANDING RELATIONS BETWEEN COUNTRIES AS THEY
COVER MANY DIMENSIONS,
MAINLY THE EXPANDING ECONOMIC COOPERATION, HE SAID.
THE PRIME MINISTER SAID BAHRAIN WAS INVOLVED IN
MANY MAJOR JOINT
PROJECTS IN THE FIELDS OF ENERGY, BANKING, COMMERCE
AND LABOUR,
WHETHER ON A BILATERAL LEVEL OR ON A GCC LEVEL.
HE HOPED THIS COOPERATION COULD BE EXTENDED TO NEW
AND MORE DIVERSE
FIELDS.
ON THE COOPERATION BETWEEN GCC STATES, THE PRIME
MINISTER AFFIRMED
THAT THEY ARE ONE ENTITY AND THAT INTEGRATION IS
THEIR STRATEGIC
CHOICE FOR DEALING WITH THE FUTURE.
FOR THAT, THEY HAVE AGREED ON A NUMBER OF FINANCIAL
CRITERIA IN
PREPARATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE GCC UNIFIED
CURRENCY BY 2010, HE
SAID.
SHAIKH KHALIFA HOPED THAT THE DECISION OF SOME GCC
COUNTRIES NOT TO
JOIN THE UNIFIED CURRENCY BY THE SCHEDULED DATE OR
TO REVIEW THE PLANS
RELATED TO IT WOULD NOT DELAY ITS INTRODUCTION.
ABOUT THE KINGDOM'S STANCE IN THIS REGARD, THE PRIME
MINISTER SAID
BAHRAIN IS COMMITTED TO ALL GCC RESOLUTIONS AND
ALWAYS ACTIVATES ALL
PROCEDURES TO ACHIEVE GULF INTEGRATION IN DIFFERENT
FIELDS.
HE SAID THAT THE CURRENT SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
CALLED FOR THE
ARAB COUNTRIES TO TAKE A HISTORIC INITIATIVE FOR A JUST
PEACE TO END
THE STRUGGLE WITH ISRAEL.
HE WARNED THAT THE HINDRANCE TO THE PEACE PROCESS
AND THE ISRAELI
POLICIES AGAINST THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE COULD LEAD TO
AN ESCALATION OF
TENSION, VIOLENCE AND INSTABILITY IN THE REGION.
SHAIKH KHALIFA SAID THAT THE SITUATION IN IRAQ ALSO
MIGHT LEAD TO
A DIVISION OF THE COUNTRY AND ERUPTION OF
SECTARIANISM. HE ASSERTED
THAT THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUNNIS AND SHIAS
AND THAT ANY
DIFFERENCES AMONG THEM WOULD BE THE BEGINNING OF THE
DIVISION OF IRAQ.
SHAIKH KHALIFA SAID THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION FOR IRAQ
WAS FOR
EVERYONE TO RESPECT ITS UNITY, SOVEREIGNTY AND
INDEPENDENCE.
THE PRIME MINISTER ADDED THAT THERE HAD TO BE A
PEACEFUL SOLUTION
TO THE IRANIAN NUCLEAR CRISIS, ADDING THAT THE REGION
MUST BE FREE OF
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. HE SAID THAT THE GCC
STATES HAD THE RIGHT
TO HAVE NUCLEAR POWER FOR PEACEFUL MEANS AND THAT
OUR MAJOR
RESPONSIBILITY IS TO PROTECT OUR COUNTRIES AND PEOPLES.
EM// BS


 ======================================

12/6/2007
Kindom of Bahrain

Bahrain’s Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al Khalifa  won a United Nations award for his efforts in improving the lot of the urban poor

UN-HABITAT, which is mandated to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all, gave Sheikh Khalifa the 2006 Special Citation of the Habitat Scroll of Honour Award for his “impressive efforts in lifting the living standards of all Bahrainis through an active focus on poverty alleviation and modernization while preserving the cultural heritage” of his country.

“UN-HABITAT applauds your efforts to place the urban poor at the centre of the modernization strategy for the Kingdomof Bahrain,” the Executive Director, Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka said in a letter delivered by a delegation in Manama, the capital.

She praised Bahrain’s effort under Sheikh Khalifa’s leadership to increase the supply of housing units for citizens with very low incomes since 1971.

“UN-HABITAT further appreciates your commitment to participatory urban governance, in particular your role in introducing directly-elected municipal councils and promoting citizen participation in decision making for the planning and management of cities,” she said.

She expressed the hope that “this laudable achievement would inspire other countries in the region and beyond to benefit from the experience of the Kingdom of Bahrain.”

The Special Citation is bestowed on individuals who have shown extraordinary commitment to the improvement of conditions of people living and working in poverty.

1- Scroll of Honour Award

2-http://hq.unhabitat.org/content.asp?cid=4523&catid=5&typeid=6&subMenuId=0