Private sector support reaffirmed

TDT | Manama

The Bahrain Chamber reaffirmed yesterday its support for the private sector and keenness to resolve all hurdles curbing its progress. This was stated by Bahrain Chamber chairman Sameer Nass during the 14th meeting of the Chamber’s Steering Group, held virtually, and headed by Sonia Janahi.

Nass also voiced pride in the government’s initiatives, which came to support the private sector and ensure its resilience during this unprecedented hardship caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. The meeting, which was also attended by the Chairman’s first and second deputies, the Steering Group vice-head, the CEO, and all committee heads, deliberated a number of key issues, including the current economic situation in Bahrain as well as updates with regard to the obstacles facing the private sector.

Also discussed were the initiatives and proposals of the Chamber’s committees with regard to supporting the private sector, coordination between the Chamber and the relevant government bodies, and extending support to the private sector post the coronavirus period.

The Chamber’s survey

During the meeting, the outcomes of the third edition of a study conducted by the Chamber’s Studies and Initiatives Department entitled “The Economic Impact of Coronavirus on Business Owners” was discussed. In light of the survey’s results, Nass voiced pride in the wide participation in the survey, which amounted to over 1,000 members.

He also vowed communicating the outcomes of the survey and the sentiment of the private sector to the relevant government bodies, and reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to supporting and empowering the private sector to overcome this hardship.

Similarly, first vice-chairman Khalid Najibi expressed pride in the vigorous liaison between the Chamber and its members, which reflect members’ confidence in the body representing them, and stimulate the Chamber to exert more efforts to serve the private sector and ensure it flourishes.

From his side, Chamber CEO Shaker Al Shater underlined the pivotal role of the private sector alongside the public sector in economic development, and reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to supporting its members and keeping them abreast of all economic updates.

Recommendations of the Chamber’s committees:

Representatives from the Chamber’s 10 sector committees were present at the meeting, and made a number of recommendations. These include a recommendation made by the food wealth committee to establish a food and drug authority in Bahrain, to ensure food security during time of turbulence, in addition to resuming government support programmes for small and medium enterprises and to restaurants in particular.

The education committee called to extend student laws at favourable rates, in a bid to enable students continuing their education. As for the tourism committee, it called for urgent revival programmes and support to the sector, which was badly affected by the crisis. At the end of the meeting, the Chamber renewed its commitment to consolidating efforts with the government and sparing no effort to overcome the current hardship and spur economic development in Bahrain.