Several major projects and decisions were announced during the fourth meeting of the Bahraini-Saudi Coordination Council, co-chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.

The meeting, held in Bahrain, was convened pursuant to the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, in affirmation of the deep-rooted historical ties and shared aspirations that unite Bahrain and  Saudi Arabia, said a Bahrain News Agency report.

The projects announced included:

* Phased implementation of the electronic integration system linking the Bahraini and Saudi sides of the King Fahd Causeway.

* Activating the electronic gates for e-passport holders at airports in both countries.

* Facilitating proof of origin procedures for Bahraini industrial exports to Saudi Arabia (Integration).

* Providing scholarships for Bahraini students in Saudi Arabia.

* Approving intellectual property registration between the two countries.

* Bahrain accession to the Middle East and North Africa Regional Safety Oversight Organisation (MENA RSOO).

* Establishing an integrated data centre in Bahrain for the Saudi Telecom Company (STC).

* Laying a submarine fibre optic cable linking Bahrain and Saudi Arabia with global networks (STC).

* ACWA Power’s investment in the Al Ezzel, Al-Dur, and Al Hidd power generation and desalination plants Bahrain.

* Establishing a solar power plant in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and connecting it to Bahrain (BAPCO Energies & ACWA Power).

Several agreements and memoranda of understanding were also announced, as follows:

* Avoiding double taxation.

* Encouraging direct investment.

* Promoting and protecting competition.

* Cooperation in diplomatic studies.

* Nuclear safety and radiation protection.

* Training and qualification in the field of railways.

* Cooperation between the University of Bahrain and King Saud University.

* Areas of sustainable development.

* Procedures, mechanisms, and strategies related to the non-profit sector.

HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad and HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreed to hold the fifth Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council meeting in Saudi Arabia at a date to be determined by the Council’s General Secretariat.