Nass stated that the celebration of the Chamber's founding anniversary is a tribute to the fathers and ancestors who charted the course for the economic life and built the foundation for its prosperity and development, ensuring that it remains a strong voice defending and supporting the rights and interests of the business community. He noted that 85 years stand as a testament to the Chamber's rich history, which has set a unique model among Arab and regional chambers in establishing the pillars of the national economy and serving the commercial sector, representing its diverse activities and sectors.
Nass added that the Chamber has been a mirror of Bahrain's economic landscape throughout its history, serving as a key driver for the development of institutions and companies. It has worked hand in hand with the esteemed government to find solutions to the challenges and crises facing the world from time to time, without impacting the local market and citizens. He emphasized that the Chamber has become an integral part of the national economic system, drawing on the successes inspired by Bahrain's strategic commercial position, which was behind the early emergence of the Bahraini business community in the modern history of the Gulf region. The Chamber continues to defend its principles and values, with its successive boards of directors throughout its history.
Nass explained that the Chamber is the principal representative of the private sector, which bears the greater responsibility in development, and it is the gateway for foreign investment, as it has formal relations and bilateral agreements with all Arab, Islamic, and international chambers of commerce. It also chairs joint business councils between Bahrain and more than 60 countries worldwide, and it receives all foreign ambassadors and trade representations. He noted that the Chamber's unwavering drive to fulfill its mission and duties is fueled by the unlimited support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalife and the patronage and attention of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, towards the private sector and enhancing its role in various sectors, contributing to the achievement of the comprehensive development journey's objectives.
Nass highlighted that the continuity in developing the Chamber's policies and strategies to achieve additional privileges for the commercial street and achieve trade openness in global markets required the launch of a strategic thinking group to identify the performance of economic sectors, as well as the establishment of an "Expert Bank" to support policy-making and decision-making. They were also keen to keep pace with the Kingdom's developmental economic visions and its ambitions towards effective and influential economic development by working in parallel with the relevant sectors. They succeeded in transforming the Chamber from a mere service provider to a commercial and industrial representation platform, making comprehensiveness and courage, alongside commitment and responsibility, the hallmark of their work, which led to its success in amending laws and legislations related to the commercial market, as well as reorganizing the administrative structure of the Chamber.
Nass said that when he was honored with the trust of the Chamber's General Assembly in its 29th and 30th sessions, he found that intensifying social communication mechanisms with our partners through various means was an imperative necessity in light of the rapid global economic crises and changes. From this standpoint, we embarked on rebuilding a strong media for the Chamber, which contributes to introducing its services and presenting its visions among its members and all governmental institutions in the Kingdom, in addition to its role in marketing the new services provided by the Chamber. He explained that a digital platform for media content called "Al-Hafiz" was launched, aimed at shedding light on the business and commercial opportunities in the Kingdom of Bahrain and pushing the ambition to transform into a resilient economy that grows steadily and diversely in line with the Chamber's visions and methodologies, and in parallel with the policies and plans of the esteemed government.
Nass noted that the Bahrain Chamber has worked to expand its role and performance in order to support and develop the business environment in the Kingdom of Bahrain and assist the private sector in achieving its goals and expansions in economic and development activities, in addition to assisting the official authorities in formulating and implementing economic policies and decisions. They expressed their sincere wishes for the commercial street to achieve more accomplishments and gains that enhance the role of the private sector and increase the opportunities for development and sustainability, thanks to the patronage and support of His Majesty. Nass expressed deep appreciation and gratitude to all those who congratulated the Chamber on its 85th anniversary.
AE