Premier: BCCI government's partner in achieving development goals

Manama, Mar. 14 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has affirmed that the government considers the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) as its partner in achieving development goals, expressing strong confidence in the newly-elected BCCI Board of Directors to increase and optimise BCCI’s achievements in the service of the national economy throughout its deep-rooted history. HRH Premier expressed the government’s deep appreciation of the role of merchants and businessmen in the economic development process, noting that the government’s doors are wide-open to the private sector to remove any obstacles that may impede their contribution to development march. We deal with the merchants’ remarks and accord interest them, being citizens who deserve support and their needs should be met, he said. The Prime Minister made the stances while receiving here today Khalid Abdulrahman Al-Moayyad, the outgoing BCCI Chairman, and Sameer Abdulla Nass, the winner of most votes during BCCI’s recent elections, in the presence of a number of senior state officials and businessmen. HRH Premier stressed the government's support for BCCI’s role in caring for merchants and maintaining their interests, urging the need for the unity of the decision of the trade community, which, he said, gives them influence and strength. He also emphasised that protecting the nation’s interests and advancing its regional and global economic status should be the ultimate goal of everyone. The Prime Minister expressed thanks and appreciation to the outgoing BCCI board, led by Khalid Al-Moayyad, hailing their positive role in representing merchants and taking care of their interests, as well as in consolidating BCCI’s status as an all-inclusive home for merchants, and an effective partner in the development and progress achieved by the kingdom. HRH Premier lauded the civilised atmosphere that prevailed during BCCI board elections, which, he said, reflects BCCI’s long-standing role as one of the honourable fronts of the national economy.  The Kingdom's economic growth and development are the result of the efforts exerted by successive generations of traders, businessmen and investors, who laid the foundation stones for all commercial and industrial activities which have become the mainstay of commercial activity in the kingdom he said, lauding their contributions to various development programmes. HRH Premier reiterated the government’s support for BCCI through constant consultation and cooperation on everything related to developing the business environment to make it more flexible and more capable of coping with the economic movement in the kingdom. The Prime Minister asserted that strengthening partnership between the government and the private sector is an essential pre-requisite for increasing growth rate in all sectors. "We expect BCCI to support the government in achieving development goals, and spurring growth, as well as in developing the kingdom’s economic ties with all friendly and brotherly countries in a way that supports the economic status of the Kingdom," HRH Premier said. Chairman of the previous BCCI board session lauded HRH Premier’s incessant support for BCCI and the business sector. Sameer Nass hailed HRH the Prime Minister’s initiatives to consolidate the trade activities, and support businessmen.