I. Headlines:
· We are still unreturned, Bahraini acquitted Doctors.
· $8 billion aside for a planned rapid transport grid.
· Qatar, Bahrain and Gulf Airlines eye the Saudi skies.
· Bahrain survey building project on track.
II. Political:
We are still unreturned, Bahraini acquitted Doctors.
A number of acquitted Doctors in what used to be known Salmania medics case, who were accused of weapons’ seizure and inciting hatred against the regime, spoke to Alwasat and said that despite the fact that they have been acquitted by the court for a month they still unreturned to their previous jobs. They said that there is no official decision to make that possible, adding that they their compensations are not spent also.
III. Economic, Trade, Business:
$8 billion aside for a planned rapid transport grid.
Bahrain has set aside $ 8 billion dollars to set up a rapid and more efficient transport grid. According to a Gulf Construction report GCC states approved before a $30 billion project to set a 2200-Kilometre long GCC Railway Network. The report added, the GCC railways grid project which is under construction will be a major boost for the transport sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The costs GCC states have approved a series of railways transport projects on their respective territories amounting to an overall $106.2 billion dollars. Saudi Arabia tops the GCC member states with 23 projects as a part of a $25.6 billion dollar package which includes the mega Haramain High-Speed Rail which links Mecca and Al-Medina.
Qatar, Bahrain and Gulf Airlines eye the Saudi skies.
An official from the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA), affirmed that Qatar Airways, Bahrain Air and Gulf Air are among the firms in the pre-qualified consortia bidding for a new airline license in Saudi Kingdom. This month GACA said that 14 companies had applied for licenses to operate domestic and international flights in the country, seven of which have been short-listed.The list of the seven pre-qualified consortia also includes Chinese firm HNA, The Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Nesma Holding, and Falcon Express.
Bahraini telcos boost up their mobile services.
According to the latest Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) audit results, Bahraini telecom companies (Batelco, VIVA and Zain) have improved their mobile service performances over the last year. Another highlight of the report is that industry average data download speeds for Smartphones reached 3,065 kilobyte per sec. (Kbps) compared with 1,070 Kbps last year. The combined industry results were benchmarked with the best mobile operators’ performances in other markets in the Middle East and Europe.
IV. Social, Culture, Tourism, Environment:
Bahrain survey building project on track.
Minister of Works, Mr. Essam Abdulla Khalaf, visited the new Survey & Land Registration Bureau Building located in Al-Seef District for inspection of the ongoing project. The BD 13.6 million project covers an area of 24,400 sq m and consists of 12 storeys, including all directorates, 32 VIP parking lots and an additional parking lot capable of accommodating 320 vehicles. The minister was accompanied by the survey general manager Mr. Naji Sabt, acting assistant undersecretary for construction & maintenance projects Ms. Mona Al Motawa, strategic projects director Mr. Ghazi Al Saleh, the chief of the consultancy company in charge of project implementation Mohammed Salah Al Dein and a number of engineers.
Minister Humaidan welcomes the establishment of FFBTU.
Minister of Labor, Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, has lauded the steps taken to establish the Free Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (FFBTU), in line with workers’ right to develop their trade union experience and legitimate freedom to choose their representatives within a trade union pluralism and national competiveness to consolidate laborers’ gains, boost national economic and enhance its growth. Humaidan also praised HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa’s appreciation of such a purely national initiative, which reflects his pride in the loyal Bahraini workers and the kingdom’s pioneering trade union experience.
HRH Premier and HRH Crown Prince pay visits to Ramadan Majlises.
HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, paid a visit last evening to the Majlis of the Head of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs Shaikh Abdullah bin Khalid Al Khalifa and exchanged with him and his audience in the Majlis good wishes marking the advent of the Holy month of Ramadan. Their Royal Hignesses asserted to everyone that the month of Ramadan is a great opportunity to promote genuine Islamic-Arab values of leniency, tolerance and solidarity. They also wished Bahrain and its people further progress and prosperity.
V. Photo of the Day:
*As part of the on-going preparations for the FIA World Endurance Championships 2012 that will take place in the UK on August 25, Captain of the Royal Endurance Team Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa led Bahrain riders to a stunning victory at the 120km Endurance Horse Ride at Compiegne, in France. 21st July 2012 Al-Wasat.
Issued by:
Embassy of Malaysia,
MANAMA
22nd July 2012