More than BD65 million ($172.3 million) has been allocated for spending on Bahrain's infrastructure development over the past three months, it was revealed yesterday.

Works Minister Essam Khalaf presented the ministry's tenders for July, August and September for Cabinet approval. Yesterday's session was chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The report showed 27 tenders were awarded at a cost of BD31.5 million, while 30 tenders at a cost of BD35.5 million were drafted.

They include spending BD759,337 to expand Awal Avenue in Juffair, BD14.5 million to reclaim land for the Salman industrial Area in Hidd and BD8.2 million to build new embassies and residences for diplomatic missions in the UAE and Kuwait.

The ministry's public relations and information head Haffedh Abdulghaffar said in a Press conference after the Cabinet's session yesterday that improving Juffair's infrastructure network was a top priority for the ministry.

"We are working on expanding roads and coming up with new entrances in Juffair, besides providing adequate car parking," he said.

"Work is ongoing on the new entrance to Juffair from Shaikh Khalifa Bridge, inner roads at Al Najma Club, besides developing access from main entrances near the Gulf Hotel and Exhibition Avenue, in Hoora."

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Information Affairs and official government spokeswoman Sameera Rajab told a Press conference after the Cabinet's session yesterday that a "media war" aiming to undermine Bahrain's election was futile.

"We have a problem within as an outrageous media war is going on against the elections and it is clear that no-one is listening because actually it has proven the opposite," said Rajab.

"Bahrain is striving towards the future with vast democratic reforms and we have shown the world how civilised we are.

"Everyone has his choice based on their opinion, but the elections will prove a success."

The Cabinet also approved a diplomatic relations agreement with Cuba.

The memorandum between Bahrain's Foreign Ministry and the Cuban Foreign Ministry aims to encourage ties between both countries.

The Cabinet approved a draft law on ratification of production and franchise agreements with the Islamic Development Bank. These are aimed at protecting the legacy of pearls and enhancing urban and economic development in Muharraq. - TradeArabia News Service