Latest news with #PublicUtilitiesandEnvironmentCommittee
Daily Tribune
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Shura panel reviews nature reserves
Plans to protect Fasht Al Jarim and Fasht Al Adhem as nature reserves were among 10 draft laws reviewed by the Shura Council's Public Utilities and Environment Committee during the third sitting of its current term. The committee, headed by Dr Mohammed Ali Hassan Ali, held 14 meetings over the session and produced seven reports, all of which were later discussed during Council sittings. Five of the items reviewed were government bills, while the remaining five were proposals submitted by members. Draft laws Among the government texts were two draft laws seeking to amend Articles 33 and 20 of the 2002 decree-law on marine wealth. These cover matters relating to fishing, usage and conservation. Another bill proposed a change to Article 59 of the Property Registration Law. A further measure addressed amendments to Bahrain's property rental rules. On the side of member-led proposals, one sought to regulate renewable energy and was submitted by Talal Mohammed Al Manai, Dalal Jassim Al Zayed, Dr Mohammed Ali Hassan, Jumaa Al Kaabi and Ali Al Aradi. Another proposed a change to Article 1 of the 1976 Housing Decree-Law. It came from Redha Munfredi, First Deputy Chairman Jamal Fakhro, Jumaa Al Kaabi, Abdulrahman Jamsheer and Fouad Al Hajji. Proposal The committee also considered a proposal to amend Article 6 of the 2025 decree-law governing how the government collects costs for developing infrastructure in new construction zones. This was tabled by Dr Mohammed Ali Hassan Ali, Ali Hussain Al Shihabi, Ijlal Bubshait, Sadiq Eid Al Rahma and Talal Al Mannai. Two more proposals focused on the Building Regulation Law. One called for changes to Article 20, while the other introduced a new Article 21. Both were submitted by Lina Habib, Dr Jehad Al Fadhel, Dalal Al Zayed, Dr Mohammed Ali Hassan Ali and Tareq Al Saffar.
Daily Tribune
25-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Vision for Greener, Tech-Driven Future : Bahraini MPs call for renewable energy and AI partnerships at Mediterranean forum
Solar panels, wind farms, and digital links featured in Bahrain's pitch to Mediterranean lawmakers this week as MPs set out plans for shared infrastructure, closer ties, and smoother trade during a summit in Marrakesh. MP Mohammed Mousa, Chairman of the Public Utilities and Environment Committee, said Bahrain is backing renewable energy and modern technology as part of its wider development effort led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He added that Parliament and the Cabinet, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, are working together to meet international goals. From From left, MPs Mohammed Mousa and Hanan Fardan These include overhauling the country's energy systems, improving key networks, and drafting laws that keep pace with changes abroad. Second Session Mousa was speaking during the second session of the forum titled Energy Transition, Adaptation and Energy Security: Strategic Choices, part of the third Parliamentary Economic Forum of the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly. He was joined by MPs Hanan Fardan and Basema Abdulkarim, who also took part in the opening session on trade and finance shifts between the Arabian Gulf and the Mediterranean. Fardan told the gathering that Bahrain is keen to work more closely with Mediterranean countries in trade, investment, and digital development. Broader Direction She said the approach reflects the country's broader direction, shaped by royal guidance and carried forward by both Parliament and government. The lawmaker pointed to Bahrain's work to improve its digital infrastructure and maintain its standing as a financial hub. On energy, she said the Kingdom is expanding its use of renewables, with solar and wind schemes forming part of long-term planning. Regional Advisory Group In her remarks during the forum's third session titled Artificial Intelligence and its Governance: Strengthening Parliamentary Oversight, Fardan called for the creation of a regional advisory group bringing together parliaments, researchers, and technology firms. Such a body, she said, would support a shared understanding of artificial intelligence, similar to the model used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The aim, she added, is to provide parliaments with sharper tools when drafting new rules.
Daily Tribune
07-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Ministries may rent out public building walls for adverts
Parliament has begun studying a government-backed proposal that would allow ministries and agencies to rent out bare spaces in public buildings for advertising. The draft law, which arrived with Royal Decree No. 27 of 2025, was passed to the Public Utilities and Environment Committee for scrutiny, with the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee asked to give its take. The bill would change Article 12 of the 1973 Decree-Law on Advertisement Regulation and clear the way for ministries to turn unused patches of wall into commercial display space. Under the proposed change, these areas within buildings already set aside for public services could be turned into advertising zones so long as the minister in charge sets rules and signs them off. A letter signed by Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and addressed to Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam accompanied the bill and cited Articles 35 and 81 of the Constitution as its legal grounds.
Daily Tribune
28-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Shura rejects plan to scrap property fees
The Shura Council has thrown out a plan to waive the 2 per cent fee on first-time property transfers and cut charges on gifts worth above BD50,000. The decision came yesterday after warnings that the changes would strip the treasury of income and leave the door open to misuse. A similar plan was rejected during the fifth legislative term. Those backing the bill said the move would ease the burden on families trying to buy or pass on a home. Housing ladder They argued that scrapping the fee for first-time residential property transfers, and for gifts above a certain value, would make it easier for Bahrainis to step onto the housing ladder. The draft, drawn up by the Council of Representatives, would have amended Article 59 of the Property Registration Law. It aimed to offer Bahrainis a one-off exemption from charges when registering or transferring a home. But the Public Utilities and Environment Committee, along with the government, pushed back. Goal They said the goal behind the bill was already being met. Today, Bahrainis who take housing loans from Eskan Bank are already spared these fees, up to the amount of their loan. That exemption depends on the person's financial standing, not the type of contract. Speaking during the session, committee rapporteur Ali Hussain Al Shehabi said the law already gives exemptions to those buying homes. He pointed out that a second paragraph added to Article 59 spares buyers from paying fees in certain cases, helping those most in need. Warning Al Shehabi warned that handing out further exemptions would drain the public purse at a time when Bahrain depends heavily on money raised outside the oil fields. That cash, he said, is steered towards running services and building projects to lift living standards. Al Shehabi also reminded the chamber that revenue estimates had already been locked in for the next two financial years.
Daily Tribune
25-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Shura Council may turn down MPs' push to scrap 2% fee for first-time property transfers and gift tax
A proposal to waive the 2 per cent fee for first-time property transfers, along with charges on gifts valued above BD50,000, is expected to be rejected by the Shura Council on Sunday. The measure has drawn strong objections, with warnings that it would cut into public revenue and leave room for misuse. A similar draft was turned down during the fifth legislative term. Lawmakers backing the draft say it would ease the financial burden on families trying to buy or pass on a home, especially those already under pressure from upfront costs. Financial strain The idea is to remove fees for first-time residential property transfers, and for certain gifts of property, to help more Bahrainis secure housing without added financial strain. The draft, introduced by the elected chamber, seeks to amend Article 59 of the Property Registration Law to allow a one-time exemption from registration charges for Bahrainis. However, the Council's Public Utilities and Environment Committee and the government argue that the goal is already being met and that the change would raise problems. Housing loans Current law exempts those who take housing loans from Eskan Bank from these charges, up to the value of the loan. That system is based on the individual, not the transaction. According to the committee and the government, shifting the basis of exemption could lead to people using others who have never owned property to sign sham contracts and claim the exemption. The government has also noted that any measure likely to reduce public revenue must first be agreed with the Cabinet, in line with the Constitution. The Survey and Land Registration Bureau backed these concerns, warning that the proposed change would reduce income from a key stream of nonoil revenue. Enforcement and fairness It said the purpose of the amendment is already addressed by existing laws. Legal advisers raised further concerns about enforcement and fairness. Members of the committee also pointed out that the current system has not given rise to major issues. The 2 per cent registration fee is already subject to a 15 per cent discount if the transaction is filed within 60 days. This gives buyers an incentive to act swiftly without stripping income from the state.
