BCCI calls for an alternative plan to import basic goods

TDT | Manama

Top BCCI officials have called for devising an alternative plan for importing basic goods into the Kingdom to help mitigate the impact of Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak on the economy.

This came as the heads of sector-committees of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry convened a meeting on Sunday in the presence of BCCI Chairman Sameer Nass to deliberate about their recommendations to prop up the economy.

BCCI first vice-chairman Khalid Najibi said the meeting yielded several vital recommendations, which will be raised to the concerned bodies.

The meeting recommends identifying fundamental medical and food products as well as streamlining and expediting the procedures of importing them, offering incentives to merchants to enable them keep enough stock, coordinating with banks and encouraging them to extend credit to business owners, and compensating the business owners for the premium they pay for expediting the shipment of basic goods.

The meeting also called for providing government fee exemptions and extending the execution period for real estate and construction projects, in need arises.

BCCI meeting also underlined the importance of devising a comprehensive plan to communicate with food and medical goods merchants. Najibi revealed that the chamber has prepared a contingency plan to preserve the economic gains and reduce capital and investment outflow.