His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa chaired here today the regular weekly Cabinet session.
HRH Premier welcomed the official visit of his Thai counterpart, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, and his accompanying delegation to the kingdom today, a statement by the Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr. Yaser bin Essa Al-Nasser, said.
The session lauded the depth of the Bahraini-Thai relations, stressing that the high-profile visit will add a new dimension to the two kingdoms' distinguished relations and solid cooperation, and contribute to improving bilateral cooperation in the political, economic an investment fields.
HRH the Prime Minister extended thanks and appreciation to the Arab League and its Secretary-General on the grand ceremony held to honour him and confer on him the "Development Work Shield" which was received by Deputy Premier HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa on his behalf.
The Prime Minister voiced pride in the statements delivered during the ceremony and the feelings expressed by the participants, noting that they had a great impact on him for their objective tackling and appreciation of the kingdom's development achievements.
The Cabinet renewed congratulations to HRH the Prime Minister on the prestigious Arab award, affirming the Government of Bahrain's deep pride in the honouring.
Marking the International Workers' Day 2017, HRH Premier lauded the effective role played by Bahraini workers in pushing economic development forward, and commended their efforts in building the nation, affirming the government's keenness on consolidating labour gains and improving the work environment in order to increase productivity. In this context, the Prime Minister hailed the role of labour trade unions in increasing labour achievements.
HRH Premier also praised the civil society organisations' role in supporting the government's efforts to upgrade Bahraini youth and provide them with education and training opportunities, reiterating the government's keenness on providing all kinds of support to those initiatives.
In this regard, the Prime Minister expressed thanks to Al-Mabarra Al-Khalifiya Foundation's chairperson and members for organising the first symposium, held recently under his patronage and opened on his behalf by Deputy Premier, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.
The Premier lauded the role played by the Al-Mabarra Al-Khalifiya Foundation, led by the Chairperson of its Board of Trustees, Shaikha Zain bint Khalid Al Khalifa, in hosting events that pave the way for Bahraini youngsters to acquire knowledge and values, and become effective members of society.
On culture, HRH Premier stressed the importance of reviving heritage and historical places to boost and encourage investment in culture, hailing the opening of Al-Khalifiya Library during a ceremony held under his patronage, and attended on his behalf by Deputy Premier, HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.
The Prime Minister requested all government ministries and state departments that are subject to the Civil Service Law to be committed to the Cabinet resolutions pertaining to scholarships and its resolutions that regulate relations between government institutions and foreign embassies and missions.
HRH Premier stressed that public sector employees should not accept training scholarships provided by foreign parties without prior approval by the competent government sides, re-affirming the need to adhere to the Cabinet's resolutions in this regard, and mandating the Foreign Ministry to be the exclusive side that receives scholarship offers relating to education, civil training sessions and field visits for civilians made by foreign embassies and missions to civil service employees, NGOs' affiliates or individuals.

Source: BNA