Moves to stamp out telecom monopolies, create competition, lower prices and boost services in Bahrain have been pledged.

Deputy King His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa called for continuation and adoption of policies that distance the sector from monopolies and support its competitiveness regionally and internationally.

The meeting at the Premier's court also reviewed airport expansion and a drive to establish a new airport to enhance Bahrain's transportation position regionally and internationally and to boost travel and cargo movements to cope with international developments.

They also reviewed standardisation of public and private sector benefits, including wages and pensions and to provide options for personnel to work in government bodies.

The development process and its requirements was also reviewed, especially the role of companies in activating the economy.

The Deputy King and the Premier urged more moves to attract international companies and establish new ones. They urged a streamlining of registration process to avoid red tape.

They also discussed ways of improving public sector productivity, to coincide with government plans and programmes.-TradeArabia News Service