Latest news with #GovernmentPlan
Daily Tribune
18-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Focus on expansion of housing finance options with private sector
As part of the executive plan to implement the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to accelerate housing projects and provide 50,000 new units, Her Excellency Amna bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, held an extensive meeting with heads and representatives of real estate development companies and commercial banks in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The meeting focused on expanding public-private partnerships to provide social housing services, diversifying housing finance options, and introducing the new 'Tas'heel+' programme as part of the Ministry's efforts to broaden choices and enhance service quality. Al Rumaihi emphasised the government's commitment, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to strengthening partnership with the private sector to expand housing solutions in line with the Government Plan (2023–2026). She highlighted the positive outcomes of the Housing Financing Programme and the Government Land Development Rights Programme, which have provided thousands of immediate housing services to citizens. These results reflect the success of involving the private sector in housing programmes, benefiting from its accumulated resources and expertise in both the real estate and banking sectors. The Minister reviewed recent developments in the Housing Finance Programme, including the launch of 'Tas'heel+, which would strengthen private sector partnerships and accelerate service delivery. Solutions She noted that 'Tas'heel+' will diversify financing options provided by the Ministry and Eskan Bank, in cooperation with participating banks, alongside ongoing housing projects by real estate developers through the Government Land Development Rights Programme. These efforts aim to deliver solutions aligned with citizens' financing eligibility. She commended the banking sector for offering competitive and supportive financial solutions that enable citizens to access immediate housing services, noting that the positive results achieved so far reflect the contributions of commercial banks and developers to the housing system.
Bahrain News Gazette
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Bahrain News Gazette
Bahrain Advocates for Gender Equality at 69th UN Commission on Status of Women Session
New York: A Bahraini delegation participated in a ministerial session in the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. The theme of the session reviewed and appraised the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly. The review included an assessment of current challenges that affect the implementation of the Platform for Action, the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women, and its contribution towards the full realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. According to Bahrain News Agency, Ambassador Jamal Faris Al Ruwaie, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations in New York, delivered the Kingdom's statement, underscoring Bahrain's commitment to integrating sustainable development goals into national policies. He highlighted the economic recovery and sustainable development plan within the Government Plan (2023-2026) and the Kingdom's pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. He emphasised Bahrain's continued efforts, through the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), to integrate women's needs into national development, guided by the National Action Charter and the Constitution, with strong political support. He noted that Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Consort of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and SCW President, recently approved the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women (2025-2026) to advance women's leadership across various domains. Al Ruwaie highlighted Bahrain's National Model for Gender Balance, which reflects the country's success in advancing women's roles, including holding five ministerial positions, such as the appointment of a female Minister of Sustainable Development in 2022. He also noted the increasing presence of Bahraini women in leadership and decision-making roles. The ambassador underscored Bahrain's support for global efforts to empower women and integrate them into sustainable development initiatives. During the session, member states reviewed progress on implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and sustainable development goals, stressing the need to amend legislation, adopt gender-responsive budgets, and launch awareness programmes to protect females from technological risks while supporting female entrepreneurs. The organising committee expressed appreciation for member states' contributions to women's empowerment and efforts to eliminate all forms of discrimination, underscoring the importance of such meetings in sharing best practices. On the sidelines of the session, Lulwa Saleh Al Awadhi, SCW Secretary-General, met with Amal Ammar, President of Egypt's National Council for Women, to discuss cooperation and the exchange of expertise, particularly in gender-responsive budgeting and equal opportunity committees. They also reviewed renewing the 2008 memorandum of understanding between the two councils. Al Awadhi invited Egypt's National Council for Women to participate in the third edition of HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women's Empowerment, launched at the session. She noted that nominee Nawal Sayed Mostafa Attia of Egypt won the Individuals category in the 2022 edition.
Daily Tribune
12-03-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Energy efficiency regulations set for lighting products
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has announced the upcoming mandatory implementation of the National Technical Regulation for Energy Efficiency of Lighting Products, set to take effect on March 15, in accordance with Decision (25) of 2024. The ministry called on economic operators to comply with the regulation's requirements when importing and trading lighting products in the local market. Shaikh Hamad bin Salman Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for Domestic and Foreign Trade at the ministry, emphasised that adopting the regulation aligns with national efforts to reduce energy consumption and supports the Government Plan (2023-2026) for lowering carbon emissions across various sectors. It also aims to enhance energy efficiency in multiple products, raise awareness, reduce waste, and ease pressure on natural resources.
Biz Bahrain
12-03-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
Industry Ministry to implement energy efficiency regulations for lighting products
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has announced the upcoming mandatory implementation of the National Technical Regulation for Energy Efficiency of Lighting Products, set to take effect on March 15, in accordance with Decision (25) of 2024. The ministry called on economic operators to comply with the regulation's requirements when importing and trading lighting products in the local market. Shaikh Hamad bin Salman Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for Domestic and Foreign Trade at the ministry, emphasised that adopting the regulation aligns with national efforts to reduce energy consumption and supports the Government Plan (2023-2026) for lowering carbon emissions across various sectors. It also aims to enhance energy efficiency in multiple products, raise awareness, reduce waste, and ease pressure on natural resources. He highlighted that the decision will significantly contribute to lowering electricity consumption, improving the quality of lighting products in the local market, and reducing overall costs for consumers. Shaikh Hamad bin Salman said that the conformity assessment procedures for lighting products will be conducted through the electronic platform for Bahraini energy efficiency cards. He explained that compliance procedures and requirements are divided into two parts, those under the responsibility of manufacturers and accredited entities, and those under the responsibility of importers. Manufacturers are required to apply for the electronic platform for Bahraini energy efficiency cards, obtain a product registration certificate, and issue an energy efficiency card for the product after submitting all necessary documentation proving compliance with technical standards. Accredited entities will then review and approve these documents before issuing the certificate and energy efficiency card through the electronic platform. Shaikh Hamad bin Salman underscored that before importing any product, importers must ensure it meets all regulatory requirements by verifying the existence of a valid product registration certificate and affixing the energy efficiency card to the product at the source. Starting March 15, customs authorities in Bahrain will not release imported lighting products unless they comply with the regulation's requirements, as stipulated in the decision. These requirements were previously communicated through the World Trade Organisation platform, and economic operators were granted a full year to ensure compliance. Shaikh Hamad bin Salman urged all economic operators to adhere to the regulation as its mandatory implementation begins. He underscored the ministry's commitment to adopting technical regulations that enhance energy efficiency and ensure effective energy consumption management. BNA(R)
Biz Bahrain
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Biz Bahrain
My Gov available via eGovernment Apps Store bahrain.bh/apps launched
Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, Chief Executive of the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA), announced the details of the My Gov app at a press conference held on the occasion of the app's launch by General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology (MCICT). The app, available via the eGovernment Apps Store, was developed in partnership with CrediMax, and in line with the directives of the Government Executive Committee, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The launch coincides with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's Silver Jubilee, marking the 25th anniversary of his accession to the throne. During the press conference, Al Qaed said that the app marks a milestone in the development of eServices for citizens and residents, and reflects the iGA's commitment to implementing government directives and supporting the 2023 – 2026 Government Plan to digitize services and deploying advanced technologies for use through electronic channels. He highlighted the app's unified login feature for 41 eServices available from nine government entities via the revamped eKey (eKey 2.0). My Gov is one of the winning submissions in the Government Innovation Competition (FIKRA) and a notable suggestion via the National Suggestions and Complaints System (Tawasul). He added that the My Gov app reflects the iGA's commitment to addressing the public's feedback as it streamlines their access to government organizations and enables them to complete transactions in record time, enhancing user experience. Al Qaed thanked the Minister of Interior for his support in launching My Gov, noting that it is the first comprehensive government app dedicated to the needs of individuals and that it meets the highest standards of security and privacy, protecting user information and offering biometric authentication via fingerprint or facial recognition. He highlighted key features, such as the ability to access personal documents including ID cards, and ID Cards for children under 18-year-old family members, and domestic workers; a user profile; driving licenses along with vehicle registration and license plate numbers; and passports. It also can display information for certificates, including details for ID cards, and birth and residence documentation. This is in addition to a range of other digital services that can be accessed using the eKey 2.0. Ahmed Albalooshi, iGA Director of eService and Channel Development, said that the iGA, through its digital transformation efforts, aims to streamline the public's access to government services and enhance the quality of national operations, which will ultimately help progress the ICT sector. The launch of My Gov reflects the iGA's goal of creating a digital environment that contributes to all government services and improves quality of life. The app's first phase offers citizens and residents access to several government services and essential documents in a unified and secure platform. Work is ongoing to add more services to the app up until the end of 2026. The app allows users to file official reports, track report's status, and report anti-corruption, economic security, and cyber security issues. It also provides a platform for reporting online child abuse cases, checking the status of child protection reports, and updating contact information with the Ministry of Interior. Additionally, the app offers services from the General Directorate of Traffic (GDT), including driver's license renewal, vehicle registration renewal, and traffic fine payments. My Gov also includes a digital passport display service from Nationality, Passports, and Residence Affairs (NPRA). Users can also view appointment details for health centers, Salmaniya Medical Complex, and the Ministry of Health's prescription delivery service and access appointment schedules for King Hamad University Hospital under Royal Medical Services. In addition, the app offers services from the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications (MTT), such as renewals of Post office box subscriptions and tracking of postal shipments. Education-related services from the Ministry of Education are also available, including issuing transcripts and grade reports for students. For utilities, the app provides services from the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA), allowing users to pay security deposits, settle electricity and water bills, pay connection fees for new services, and check past and current billing and payment records. My Gov features a comprehensive suite of ID card services from the iGA, enabling users to issue, renew, or replace lost ID cards, track application statuses, and manage electronic authorizations. It also provides access to government service center appointment schedules. Other features include providing 17 government support services, such as quick payments, access to past transactions, and the ability to manage or cancel saved credit and debit cards. It also features a government services directory, government notifications, and a range of other public services. To enhance user experience, the app's interface is divided into five main sections, making key services more accessible and easier to navigate. These sections were structured in line with international best practices following a detailed study. My Gov App includes a dedicated government notifications section where users receive official updates from government entities. It also features a My Cards section, allowing users logged in with the advanced eKey to quickly access their saved cards, view details, and add or update their cards as needed. Additionally, the app offers a Favorites and Most-used Services section, which highlights frequently accessed services based on popular search terms from the National Portal, This makes it easier for users to find and access their preferred services. The interface also includes a bottom navigation bar with key function icons, providing quick and seamless access to essential services. For further information or inquiries, individuals can contact the Government Services Call Center at 80008001 or submit their suggestions, questions, and feedback through the National Suggestions and Complaints System (Tawasul).
