Manama: The GCC common market and the customs union and all other initiatives will contribute to elevating the status of Gulf citizens while continuing the spinning of the wheels of reforms in the countries of the region and coping with changes at the regional, according to Federation of GCC Chambers.
“The role is being played by the Federation of GCC Chambers and at this critical stage, must be highlighted, where the federation is working extensively and continuously with the private sector in the Arabian Gulf to address its responsibilities in the support and realization of development programmes and economic integration in the GCC countries,” Chairman of the Federation of the GCC Chambers Shaikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani told over 2000 participants in Invest in Bahrain 2014 Forum.
“This event highlights the role of the ministry and other official bodies in realizing this event which we are pleased to participate in for the fifth consecutive year and look forward to be part of such economic functions aimed at enhancing the role of the Gulf’s private sector in investment plans and development in the GCC,” he said.
“The Kingdom of Bahrain has a long history derived from a profound experience in attracting foreign investment from the Arabian Gulf, Arab and international destinations,” he said.
This was a result of unbendable efforts by its wise political leadership to encourage such endeavors by creating apt investment environment and providing appropriate legislative, economic, and organizational support, while according noticeable facilities to investors, positioning her as one of the leading Gulf states, if not the leading in the Arab world in opening its economy to foreign investment, embodying in this process a wise and insightful gesture on the importance of openness and freedom and competition in raising production efficiency while stimulating economic growth and fostering job creation for the kingdom’s nationals.
“These efforts led to the creation of a more diversified economy in the Gulf Cooperation Council, was able to absorb the effects of temporary economic fluctuations, and continued to evolve, carrying attractive and fruitful possibilities and opportunities in many sectors and activities such as; industry, services, trade, tourism, education, health, finance and modern technology and this forum will present and review a range of investment opportunities in these sectors and facilities available for their implementation,” he said.
“We share with Bahraini officials their aspirations that this Forum will contribute towards the formation of a regional grouping to function as a platform for the convergence and opinion exchanges between the business community and business women and entrepreneurs, investors and representatives of major companies, local and regional financial institutions and will ultimately serve as an umbrella activating the participation of both the private and public sectors, upgrading industries and raising production competitiveness to international standards while seeking and opening new marketing out lets for products, especially since the Forum is keen on strengthen communication between decision-makers from the government on one hand and the private sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain on the other,” he said while highlighting the possible avenues of co-operation between the GCC Federation of Chambers and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
“Responsibilities through wider participation in drawing development policies, plans and programmes, including the assertion of full partnership between the private sector and the GCC governments and the application and activation of decrees and decisions relating to the Gulf citizenship and Arab and international levels, and by this I wish the Kingdom of Bahrain every success in achieving her goals and aspirations.”
“We must stress and affirm the highest regards of the private sector in the Gulf to His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa binSalman AlKhalifa, for his parental guidance and support of sustainable development and congratulate His Royal Highness for the success of his recent medical examinations.”
“We must underline the proposal laid by the Federation of the GCC Chambers in coordination with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Economic Development Board, namely: ” to draw a marketing policy for the investment opportunities in the Kingdom of Bahrain, which will aim to contribute towards the achievement of our common goal which is to improve the economy of the Gulf.”