Projects for Bahraini citizens take centre stage

TDT | Manama                                                         

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Discussions on projects and initiatives prioritising citizens have taken place in line with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s vision and the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

A joint committee meeting between the Shura and Representatives Councils and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) was held yesterday. It was co-chaired by Council of Representatives Speaker, His Excellency Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, Khalid Hussain Al Maskati, Chairman of the Shura Council’s Economic and Financial Affairs Committee, and BCCI Chairman Sameer Abdulla Nass.

Speaker Al Musallam affirmed the joint keenness to strengthen cooperation between the legislative branch and the private sector, expressing appreciation for the role of the private sector as a key partner in the development process and efforts to provide the conducive environment to create more opportunities.

He referred to the recent meeting with HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister that emphasised existing efforts to support employment and create a sustainable future for citizens, in a manner that contributes to enhancing sustainable growth and economic diversity.

The meeting was part of the ongoing discussion of the project and was aimed at, listening to BCCI’s views on parliamentary proposals and legislation related to the economy to implement initiatives that prioritise Bahraini citizens in the labour market, Al Musallam added.

The legislative and executive branches had also held a joint meeting to discuss making the citizens a national priority to serve future requirements.

Keenness

Al Maskati stressed the two branches’ keenness to develop cooperation and engage in effective strategies, plans, and programmes that boost the national economy and the private sector, and provide job opportunities for the citizens.

He pointed out the importance of these meetings to unify efforts to support the development of the labour market and the advancement of the national economy.

Role

The Committee chairman commended the role of the BCCI in tracking the requirements for developing the local market by applying an elaborate scientific methodology involving studies, analysis, and questionnaires, as well as periodic reviews of the outputs of labour market regulations, plans, and programmes.

Al Maskati affirmed the importance of monitoring economic and investment challenges and opportunities, in parallel with putting in place legislative and legal requirements to contribute to formulating integrated strategies based on the current economic and financial conditions.

Cooperation

Nass underscored the importance of supporting Bahrainis in the labour market by strengthening cooperation between all government and legislative bodies, as well as the private sector, to create quality job opportunities.

He highlighted the importance of improving education outcomes to bridging the labour market in Bahrain, and replacing expatriates with Bahraini citizens, and reconsidering imposing higher fees on the private sector as the only solution; given the consequences of higher prices and inflation that creates for citizens and consumers due to the increase of production costs.

The BCCI chairman urged all relevant parties to conduct a comprehensive study of the proposed solutions that could be applied, to ensure sustainability for development projects and goals, and improve Bahrain’s economic system.