Manama old souq trader sees rift in BCCI, wants poll

Alleging that the internal rift in the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is damaging its integrity, a Manama old souq trader demanded that the board of directors should be dissolved and conducted new elections.  

Abdulkarim Alfulaij, the owner of the biggest departmental store in Manama told DT News that some board members wanted to remove the current chairman Khalid Almoayed and grab his position to fulfil their personal agendas. “The traders of Manama old souq would not let this happen.” 

He opined that all 18 board members should resign or the board Chairman should exercise his right to dissolve the board of directors and call for new elections. “During the transitory period waiting for the new elections, the BCCI can be managed by Khalid Almoayed, Othman Sharif, Khalid Alzayani and one or two more trusted board members,” he suggested.

It is worth mentioning that the board members are divided into two groups. One group is supporting the current board chairman Khalid Almoayed while the other group is opposing him and wanted his removal.

“Khalid Almoayed and Othman Sharif are working for the betterment of the institution and the economy,” said Alfulaij, “I believe that they are innocent and I am ready to give evidence in their favour in the court of law.”

Coming down heavily on the rest of board members, he alleged that they were clinging to their posts, as they wanted to continue to use the public and traders’ money for their own personal benefits. “This is unacceptable to the business community.”

He said that Almoayed helped those board members get elected to the BCCI but they couldn’t do their jobs. Criticising the board members, Alfulaij asked them to show the traders what they had done to the economy in the past two years. “They spent the BCCI money and had luxurious trips paid by the merchants’ money.” 

DT News had reported earlier that in a public meeting last year, eight members were absent. But their names were put on the list of the attendees to pass the budget.