BCCI Board Elections: New coalition outlines plans
COMPETITION for control of Bahrain’s main private sector body is heating up, with one of four coalitions contesting the election outlining its manifesto yesterday.
Tojjar 2018 is a 15-member bloc whose members have a combined experience of more than 351 years, according to its head Sameer Nass.
He outlined a strategy that the group plans to implement if it secures victory in the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) board elections on March 10, which he said was designed to ease “transition pain” caused by the government’s economic reform programme.
“We took our time and have put together a team that has cumulative experience spanning over 351 years and is committed to serving the business community during the four-year board tenure,” said Mr Nass.
“The government is really going through a major economic transformation and restructuring as part of its strategic 2030 vision, but all this is creating a transition pain which we all need to adjust to slowly.
“It is important to have a business body that plays a proactive role in addressing the sentiments of the business community and slows down the negative impact of the transition pain.”
He said there was a need for more open collaboration between the private sector and the government as he addressed a Press conference at Bab Al Bahrain.
“We need a strong entity that is capable of helping businessmen, entrepreneurs and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in tackling future challenges and speaking with a unified voice,” he added.
All 15 members of the coalition attended the Press conference yesterday.
The block said it planned to address seven key economic challenges: increased austerity measures; growing public debt; limited GCC market integration; weakness of global competitiveness; continued dependence on oil as Bahrain’s main source of revenue; the risk of inflation from new taxes and levies; and the private sector’s weak contribution to development.
“We realised all these challenges and announce our principal entry plan for 100 days once we get elected to the BCCI’s board,” said coalition member Dr Mohammed Juman.
“The plan would focus on restabilising the chamber’s role as an active partner with government in introducing new legislation, rehabilitation of markets and boosting exports by promoting the principle of ‘Made in Bahrain’.”
Nearly 100,000 Commercial Registration (CR) holders are eligible to vote in the election, which will determine the BCCI’s 18-member board for the next four years.
Elections will be held from 8am to 10pm at the Isa Cultural Centre, Juffair.
Other members of the Tojjar 2018 bloc are Waleed Kanoo, Mohammed Kooheji, Dr Abdulmajeed Al Awadhi, Khalid Najibi, Abdul Hamid Al Asfoor, Aaref Hejres, Uzair Usman, Basim AlSaie, Fareed Bader, Dr Waheeb Al Khaja, Jameel Alghanah and female candidates Batool Dadabhai and Sonya Janahi.
The bloc has criticised the BCCI’s current leadership, which has been dogged by division during the past four years, and accused it of not doing enough to influence government decisions.
A major restructuring of the BCCI board in 2016 saw Ahmed Bin Hindi and Abdulhakeem Al Shammary replace Nabeel Kanoo and Khalid Al Amin on its seven-member executive committee.
Mr Kanoo then resigned in January last year citing allegations of nepotism, unjustified spending, internal rifts and a monopoly on foreign trips, although the BCCI denied the claims.
Last February board member Othman Al Rayes also resigned, claiming the role of BCCI chairman Khalid Almoayed had been hijacked by other members and general body resolutions on membership fees were bypassed.
Mr Almoayed previously submitted his resignation in 2016, citing frustration at alleged interference by the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry, but he withdrew it after the board opposed his decision.
The BCCI board also passed a vote of no-confidence in July 2016 against its former chief executive Nabeel Al Mahmood and voted to replace him with Dr Khalid Al Ruwaihi.
Prominent Bahraini businessman Mohammed Dadabhai yesterday said it was time for a major shake-up at the BCCI.
“I have grown old but still see the same faces in the chamber, which has become a monopolised house,” claimed Mr Dadabhai during a question and answer session after the Press conference.
“They are carrying the voice of businessmen, but have failed to achieve anything except spend the chamber’s money for their trips.
“We have all made money and are not looking for any commercial benefits by being elected as BCCI board members.
“It’s time for real change, enough is enough.”
Other blocs contesting the BCCI polls include the 16-member Sharaka Bloc led by BCCI outgoing vice-chairman Khalid Al Zayani, Al Ghad (Tomorrow), made up of seven men and a woman led by businessman Hamed Fakhro, and the Central Business Owners Committee that is yet to announce its list of 20 candidates.
Independent candidates who have so far announced their participation include Feryal Nass, Khalil Al Qaheri, current BCCI Old Suq Committee vice-chairman Mahmoud Al Namliti and Dr Yousef Mashal.
Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/305047/BCCI-Board-Elections-New-coalition-outlines-plans
