Raft of bills rushed through to fulfil pledges

Amendments proposed to the import-export law to exempt custom duties for items listed by the agriculture ministry were passed unanimously with 56 votes in favour.

The amendment bill was among six pieces of government-sponsored legislation debated and sent to committee at Monday’s prolonged sitting of parliament. It was sent back to the floor and put to a vote after review by a committee of the full house.

With the People’s Majlis due to break for a recess of a month and a half next week, Speaker Gasim Ibrahim – one of the leaders of the four-party ruling coalition – has been expediting the legislative process to pass the government’s bills, many of which are necessary to fulfil President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s pledges in line with a 100-day action plan.