The Board appointed Abdulwahab Yousif Al Hawaj and Rashad Ibrahim Zainal to the position, strengthening the Board’s role in following up on issues affecting business owners and developing communication channels with Chamber members.
Commenting on the initiative, Rashad Ibrahim Zainal, Board Member and Board Representative for Members and Complaints, said the creation of the position reflects the Board’s commitment to maintaining direct engagement with Chamber members and gaining a deeper understanding of the private sector’s needs and aspirations. He noted that the initiative forms part of the Board’s efforts to enhance communication with business owners and listen to their views, enabling the Chamber to convey their concerns to the relevant authorities and contribute to addressing matters related to the business environment.
He added that the Board is committed during the current term to ensuring that the Chamber’s initiatives and recommendations are grounded in the actual needs of economic sectors, thereby strengthening its effectiveness in representing and advocating for the private sector.
Zainal noted that the Board considers complaints and feedback from business owners an important source of insight into the challenges and needs of various economic sectors. Rather than treating them solely as individual cases, the Chamber uses them as indicators to identify recurring issues and areas requiring follow-up and action.
He further highlighted the establishment of the SME Support Department, which is responsible for following up on matters raised by business owners, reviewing them and coordinating with relevant authorities. The Chamber has also developed institutional coordination mechanisms with government entities and relevant organizations, including designated points of contact to facilitate and accelerate follow-up.
The Board representatives’ responsibilities include monitoring matters raised by business owners, reviewing periodic reports, and submitting relevant observations and recommendations to the Board to support its consideration of issues affecting the private sector.
Zainal emphasized that the value of this approach extends beyond addressing individual complaints, as recurring concerns can be transformed into working files, initiatives and recommendations that contribute to improving legislation, procedures and the overall business environment.
He concluded by affirming that Bahrain Chamber will continue to develop its institutional tools and mechanisms to better anticipate the needs of the private sector, identify issues affecting businesses, and translate them into practical initiatives and recommendations that enhance the competitiveness of Bahraini businesses and support their contribution to Bahrain’s economic development.
