Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry member Othman Sharif resigns

Manama : Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) board member, Othman Sharif resigned from the chamber's board after criticizing its performance in the face of what he called "a series of harsh decisions, and package of successive fees and taxes targeting the commercial market."

In justifying his resignation, Sharif criticized the "clear negativity in defending the interests of traders and private owners of small businesses, including showing no objection towards raising fees, and dividing business, in a way that imposes on the trader to pay separate fees for each of his business activities."

"The fees have risen through the new ratings issued without understanding with the chamber, which is supposed to represent the economic sector in the country, and whose opinion was viewed by all ministries and governmental apparatuses, in anything related to this sector. There wasn't any slightest consideration to the small business owners, and the hard economic situation witnessed by the country", he added.

Moreover, Sharif said the chamber is no longer able to return such fees imposed by the government, saying that the chamber has become like a false witness, whose name is used to conduct all measures and decisions.

BCCI has denied the allegations mentioned in the resignation letter.