Kuwait & Bahrain ink cloud computing deal
GCC chief lauds support
MANAMA, Oct 6, (KUNA): Kuwait’s Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) and Bahrain’s Information and eGovernment Authority (IGA) signed Friday a Memorandum of Understanding within the remote server practice of cloud computing.
CITRA’s Chairman and CEO Eng Salem Muthib Al-Othainah said in a press statement that the authority was keen on bolstering cooperation with Bahrain in cloud computing, affirming that the agreement would boost efforts to protect data and information online.
The MoU is part of the Kuwait 2035 vision, said Al-Othainah, adding that Kuwait was eager to be involved in GCC countries’ development plans.
On his part, IGA CEO Mohammad Al-Qaed commended Kuwait on its keenness to bolster cooperation with Bahrain within the IT domain, stressing that the MoU was part of an ongoing cooperation between the two sides.
He hoped that Kuwait and Bahrain would continue to IT coordination in the future to benefit both countries’ plans for development and progression.
In its 2017 plans, the government in Bahrain had set its eye on becoming a part of the global cloud-computing scene, becoming the first Arab nation to adopt this branch of computing. Cloud computing is a practice that uses remote reserves to store data and information in an effort to protect them against harm and digital crime.
Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Dr Abdul Latif Al-Zayani, praised on Friday the signing of the framework arrangements to support Bahrain’s financial balance program, which is provided by the State of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, for US $ 10 billion.
Al-Zayani said in a press statement that this support comes as funding and soft loans to finance the fiscal balance program aimed at stabilizing public finances and continuing to stimulate economic growth and development in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He praised the positions of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates in support of the Kingdom of Bahrain, which reflects the deep-rooted ties between those states.
He stressed that the honorable positions adopted by the GCC countries in supporting each other in the face of challenges demonstrate to the world the unity and common destiny of the GCC states throughout history.
In another development,
Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, received Kuwaiti Minister of Finance Dr Nayef bin Falah Al-Hajraf, Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Jadaan and UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs Obaid bin Humaid Al Tayer.
During the meeting, the Crown Prince expressed gratitude to sisterly Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for their firm support to the Kingdom of Bahrain in all areas, according to Bahrain News Agency (BNA).
The meeting took place at Gudaibiya Palace on Thursday following the signing of USD 10-billion aid package from the three countries to Bahrain.
The Crown Prince underscored the importance of the long-standing and deep-rooted relations between Bahrain, on one hand, and Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, on the other. He stressed the significance of regional cooperation in accelerating economic and social development.
He asked his guests to convey the greetings of Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The meeting also gathered Bahrain’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, and Minister of Finance Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohammad Al Khalifa. On a similar note, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Abdulla said the constant support from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE to Bahrain in all fields stems from common destiny and deep-rooted relationship.
“The Kingdom of Bahrain focuses on realizing the targets of the comprehensive development plan, charted by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa,” BNA quoted the Prime Minister as saying.
The plan, entitled “the Comprehensive Fiscal Balance Program,” aims to offset the budget deficit and strike balance between expenditure and revenues by 2022.
Guided by the instructions of the King, the program includes a number of government initiatives for attracting more foreign investment and turning the challenges into opportunities for the benefit of citizens, the Prime Minister added.
Earlier, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said they will jointly provide assistance worth USD 10 billion to Bahrain, including financing and soft loans, aimed at stabilising the kingdom’s budget by 2022.
The support was granted after the finance ministers of the four neighbouring Gulf countries signed a framework agreement in Manama, according to Bahrain’s state news agency, BNA.