Chamber in efforts to address issues faced by local markets

Solutions to numerous issues and challenges faced by commercial markets are being contemplated after a newly-formed committee of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) visited several of the markets across the Kingdom yesterday.

Members of the Commercial Markets Committee of the chamber visited several markets across Bahrain to meet traders and to analyse the conditions there. The committee headed by Chairman Abdulhakeem Ibrahim Al Shammari visited Muharraq Souq, Manama Souq, Isa Town traditional market, Hamad Town traditional market, Dragon City, Seef Mall, City Center, and The Avenues. BCCI board members Ahmed Sabah Salman Alsalloom and Sonia Janahi also participated in the visits.

The visits were aimed at learning the challenges faced by the traders and gain their perspectives on what improvements must be made in the markets, BCCI second vice chairman Mohammed AlKooheji told Tribune.

“The objective of the field trip was to reach out to the 36,000 members the BCCI has. They are the members and we need to go to them, they do not need to come to us. We want them to know that the platform for the 36,000 members is the chamber.”

“We went to the central markets where we got different comments from the people, our members. They talked about issues they faced such as the lack of facilities such as washroom facilities or that certain areas are too small, while some said there have been no developments as if they are still living in conditions of the 1970’s.

Mr Al Shammari said that commercial markets in Bahrain play a vital role in supporting the economy, especially the trade and tourism sector.

He said that the committee is determined to improve the conditions of the markets during its two year term.