German honour for Bahraini business icon

Manama, May 22 (BNA): Board Chairman of the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry and founder of the Bahraini-German Friendship Society Abdul Jalil Al-Ansari has received the German Medal of Merit-First Class to become the first Bahraini to have this honour. German Ambassador to Bahrain Sabine Taufmann presented him with the medal in a celebration which was attended by HM the King's Advisor for Economic Affairs Dr. Hassan Fakhro, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Chairman Khalid Al-Moayed, Chief Executive of Bahrain Economic Development Board Khalid Al-Rumaihi and Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Abdullah Abdullatif. The German ambassador said the medal is an acknowledgement of Al-Ansari's outstanding and decades-long contributions to solidifying bilateral economic relations. The medal is the highest honour bestowed by Germany on people for their outstanding achievements in the political, economic, social and intellectual fields. On his part, Abdul Jalil Al Ansari expressed happiness about the honour which, he said, is an honour for all Bahrain. He dedicated it to Bahrain leadership in tribute to their fundamental role in bringing about such achievements. He also praised Bahrain's progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He noted that his relation with Germany started as early as 1968. He added in 1981he was invited to represent Bahrain as the first Arab country to take part in a large exhibition. He noted that Bahrain's flag flew for the first time in Germany in that exhibition as Bahrain had no diplomatic representation or embassy then.