Information Minister: Bahrain GP success story continues

Manama, Apr.20 (BNA): The 2015 Gulf Air Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix proved a striking success, bringing the Kingdom in global limelight as all eyes turned to the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), the home of motorsport in the Middle East. Information Affairs Minister Isa bin Abdulrahman Al-Hammadi today described the global motorsport event as a success story, ever since its inception in 2004. In a press briefing following the weekly Cabinet meeting, he stressed the importance of hosting such mega international events in boosting the national economy and promoting the Kingdom of Bahrain. "The windfall of the F1 Grand Prix and other international events has a direct positive impact on national economy, particularly tourism and the tertiary sector", he said.He stressed the importance of the annual motorsport championship and various international events in spurring economic growth and supporting businessmen and owners of companies. Apart from the Gulf Air Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix, the minister cited other much-anticipated events, particularly Jewellery Arabia and Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS).The minister stressed the growing sport tourism momentum in Bahrain, stressing the crucial importance of the hospitality sector as a cornerstone of the national economy, now that the sector has been affiliated with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. He underscored the responsibility of all Government parties to promote Bahrain as an attractive tourism destination, in partnership with the private sector, stressing particularly the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), known for its leverage and knowhow in attracting international events to Bahrain. He described the Formula One fever which gripped the Kingdom over the past three days as a source of pride for Bahrain, stressing the importance of the windfall which revitalizes the national economy.He extended thanks to Bahraini citizens for contributing to the success of the Bahrain GP, welcoming guests who converged on Bahrain to watch the thrilling three-day race. Al-Hammadi pointed out the directives for cafes located at residential areas to close at midnight, stressing coordination between municipalities and the Ministry of Interior to enforce the law regulating the work of such outlets. Meanwhile, cafes located in tourism zones are still allowed to work legally till 02:00 a.m, provided that they respect Bahraini social norms and traditions. The minister said that the two-year state budget (2015-2016) was not on the agenda of the Cabinet today, announcing that the draft budget would be referred to the Council of Representatives soon. He highlighted the draft protocol on the amendment of the agreement between the Government of Bahrain and the US Administration towards the establishment of a free-trade zone. He pointed out the importance of the FTA agreement in boosting the volume of trade exchanges and opening up new markets for Bahraini products over the past years."The FTA agreement represented a catalyst to establish joint industrial ventures in Bahrain", he said. He pointed out that the budget needs of municipalities would be taken into account in the draft State Budget.