|
Message form BATC
Chairman
SPEECH BY
MR. OTHMAN SHARIFF, CHAIRMAN
OF THE BAHRAIN ASIAN TRADERS COMMITTEE
AT THE RECEPTION ON 25 APRIL 2007
Dear your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
On behalf of the Bahrain Asian Traders Committee of the Bahrain Chamber of
Commerce & Industry, I feel greatly privileged and honoured, to cordially
welcome you all to this reception and to appreciate the significant role played
by our Asian Counterparts in
augmenting the bilateral trade and economic relations of the Kingdom of Bahrain
with the various countries in the Asian Continent. The Asian traders have,
indeed, become part and parcel of the Bahraini community since ages.
The Bahrain Asian Traders Committee (BATC) was established in 1994 with the
objective of developing trade and encouraging investments between the Asian
countries and the Kingdom of Bahrain. It represents the cross section of Asian
Traders from the various trade sectors mainly Jewellery, Electronics, Hotels,
Garments and other industries. Indeed the Committee reflects the time honoured
relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Asian Continent which is not
limited to trade and economic sectors only but extends to cultural, educational
and tourism arenas also.
Considering the immense potential for further bolstering the existing bonds
between Bahrain and Asia, the Committee has drawn out its comprehensive action
plan which focuses on alleviating the obstacles faced by Asian traders and
attracting Asian investments for small and medium sized projects. Its regular
meetings unveil the major problems of the Asian traders such as the issue of
Residence Permit to the children of Asian traders and investors which are
thereafter brought to the attention of the senior officials of the Kingdom. The
committee also enhances the participation of Asian traders in the various trade
events organized by Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Economic
Development Board.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the committee members, BATC has played a
commendable role in boosting Asian investments in the trading, real estate and
manufacturing sectors in the Kingdom of Bahrain through its participation in
various trade promotion events in the Asian Continent.
Established within the frame work of BCCI, BATC is an important portal for the
Kingdom's Asian traders to voice their concerns and pursue them as far as
possible with the relevant authorities. With privatization gaining momentum and
as BCCI is poised to become an active partner with the Government in the
economic development process, BATC has an integral role to play further in
consolidating the Kingdom's trade and economic relations with Asian Continent
and contributing to the economic development of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Therefore, the Membership of BATC becomes imperative as it is the platform to
share information, to discuss issues of common interest, to address problems and
to have a channel for presenting them to the concerned authorities.
In order to enjoy these privileges and to enable the BATC to be a true
representation of the vast Asian business community in the Kingdom of Bahrain,
on behalf of the Board of BCCI, and as Chairman of BATC, I extend to you a
cordial invitation to be part of BATC and enhance the efficiency of BATC by your
active participation in its activities. It is the ideal platform to share your
vision and be successful as the adage "Successful visions are shared visions"
Thank you
|
