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"A TURNING POINT "

Read the Article at Gulf Daily News

Posted on » Monday, November 16, 2009

MANAMA: One of Bahrain's leading businesswomen yesterday praised the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) elections as a turning point in the history of the organisation.

Sitting board member and a candidate of the Economic Group Afnan Al Zayani said that she views the elections as a continuation of the positive development, which would have a positive impact on the national economy.

"During the last 70 years of the BCCI history, the private sector with its full spectrum has played a pivotal role in the economic development of the kingdom as every member played a crucial role in building the nation regardless of his or her beliefs, sect or origin," she said.

"Today's elections will be a test for the members to elect the right team that will serve the chamber for next four years on the board.

Ms Al Zayani said she views the coming four years as a challenge as there will be a continuous work to face the crisis and also to reach our goals, which are aligned with the Kingdom's Economic Vision 2030.

"The goals spelled out in the Vision 2030 can't be achieved without the support and active participation of the BCCI members."

The most positive thing among the groups/blocs and independent candidates is that everybody is adapting the kingdom's Vision 2030, she said.

"There is a consensus among the candidates on the importance and goals of the strategic Vision 2030," Ms Al Zayani said.

The Vision 2030 has also emerged as a uniting force for all the business segments under the umbrella of the BCCI.

Ms Al Zayani said in the last term we had three businesswomen out of a total 52 candidates, this term we also have three women out of 38 candidates, which is a positive sign.

"The drop in number from 52 to 38 during this term is seen as both positive and negative. The drop in number is negative but at the same time it is positive since less number of candidates will provide more focus for voters to cast their votes."

Apart from the blocs, she said, the independent candidates have also underlined the importance by serving the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

If the businesswomen get elected, it will be another positive development.

"The SMEs, which constitute about 80 per cent of the total commercial activity in the kingdom will continue to serve as a cornerstone for the BCCI.

"The initiatives taken by the BCCI's sitting board with regards to establishing a training and support centre for the SME sector will definitely help it to grow.

"Globally, the SMEs are considered a backbone of the many developed economies. In Bahrain, the development of this segment will provide a strong support to the national economy by creating jobs, in addition to the direct contribution to the growth of commercial sector.

Talking about the Bahrain-US free trade agreement she said it would be a priority to exploit the potential of this trade treaty by creating a greater awareness among the business sector.

"We should also promote Bahrain as a destination of choice for the American companies as Bahrain provides added value advanced regulation and a friendly and open investment environment," she said.

"The completion of the BCCI new premises Beit Al Tijjar is a very important accomplishment for the sitting board as the premises would provide more facilities to the members during the elections.

Ms Al Zayani appealed to businesswomen to practise their right to elect and to be nominated.

"This is the right time to boost their position in the leadership of the BCCI. Especially after what happened in Ramadhan during the extra ordinary general assembly where two seats in the BCCI board were allocated for businesswomen," she said.

"I urge Bahrain business community to vote for competent female candidates to boost the overall position of the women in the chamber."

Ms Al Zayani also praised the role played by the Asian community in Bahrain's economy.

"We look forward for active participation from the Asian community in this election."