Bahrain Chamber teams up with government agencies, industry leaders to boost food sector

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Report by Julia Cassano, Tofoof Al Mansoor

Despite the fact that Bahrain has ample resources and is not at risk of food insecurity, the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bafco, Tamkeen, Bahrain’s Economic Development Board, and the government are banding together to give additional support to factories in the Kingdom.

Speaking to the media, Khaled Al-Amin, Chairman of the Food Sector Committee at BCCI, said, "It is our job to enhance and improve food security in Bahrain.

The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry is working to improve food security with its partners to achieve the basic goal of self-sufficiency.

"We have spoken to parliament and the Shura Council about our vision regarding food security, and we are trying to extend our vision to other branches of government," he said.

Al-Halal Food Centre

The chairman stated during the meeting that Al Halal Food Centre will be coming to Bahrain very soon, having already presented the proposal to the Ministry of Municipalities.

Al Halal Centre will facilitate operations for exporters, particularly those in Saudi Arabia, as Saudi Arabia requires a water certificate, which Halal Centre can supply.

"I want us to have all of the certificates for the companies in Bahrain to export to Saudi Arabia—a huge market near us that we should be taking advantage of," Al-Amin said.

Food factories in Bahrain

When speaking on food factories in the country, the Chairman of the Food Sector Committee at BCCI stated that several factories in Bahrain, such as Bafco and Al-Taawon Foodstuff, have recently opened and that the Bahrain government, Tamkeen, and EDB are eager to provide help for food exports, presenting Bahrain as a food industry hub.

He did remark, however, that while Bahrain adheres to international policies and the government is doing well in terms of food regulations, there are laws that must be regulated for Bahrain to become an appealing hub for opening food factories.

The Bahrain Economic Development Board and Tamkeen have played a crucial role in allowing the factories to thrive, and we will provide startups with logistical, emotional, and financial support and ease the process with banks," Al-Amin said.

"Here at BCCI, along with Tamkeen, EDB, and the government, we are working to ensure food security in Bahrain and to attract bigger players to come and present Bahrain as a base for them to export from," the chairman stressed.

Prospects

In terms of prospects, AlAmin highlighted the creation of a wheat factory in the coming year, which the Kingdom hopes to use as a hub for wheat exports from Bahrain.

Rice export ban: India

When discussing the recent ban on non-basmati rice exports from India he emphasised, "Do not believe the nonsense you read on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

Though the move raised concerns that it would destabilise rice supplies in some parts of the world, Amin stressed that Bahrain is unaffected since the country gets its food from a variety of nations, including Pakistan, Oman, Yemen, Turkey, and Egypt.

"There was a monopoly on white rice in India when, last month, the Indian government announced the abrupt ban.

However, we cannot blame the Indian government, as they are protecting their people," he relayed.

He clarified that while Bahrain has stopped receiving onions from India, the Kingdom has other options for importing the item, meaning the matter is under control.

Challenges

While outlining some of the Kingdom’s current issues, he pointed out that Bahrain currently contains several bodies regulating food security; however, he hopes to have only one body regulating food in the future, making the process simpler.

Price increases on food

When answering a question on rising prices of food products, the chairman claimed that costs vary widely and, due to supply and demand, governments have little control over the matter. "BCCI’s goal is to reduce financial stress in the Kingdom, Al-Amin said.

As many families have stringent monthly budgets for their essentials, he noted that even a 100-fill increase on a food item can financially damage families. And as a result, he wishes to avoid that at all costs.

COVID revolutionised food security.

Explaining the impact of potential food crises, Al-Amin referred to the stark losses that arose from COVID.

"Covid has essentially taught us lessons on how countries and governments around the world handle food storage. "We always advise industries to buy and keep stock of food for at least 6 months to avoid a food crisis. We had a tough time during COVID; food security should be inside the country. If anything like COVID happens again and we do not have food security inside the country, that’s when problems arise," the Chairman of the Food Sector Committee at BCCI said.

To provide further support and awareness, a workshop with Export Bahrain during export week in November welcomes businessmen, startups, and family-owned businesses to gain insight into how food items are exported from Bahrain.