German honour for Bahraini

Manama

 Board Chairman of the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry and founder of the Bahraini-German Friendship Society Abdul Jalil Al-Ansari became the first Bahraini to receive the German Medal of Merit-First Class.

 German Ambassador to Bahrain Sabine Taufmann presented him the medal in a celebration, which was attended by HM the King's Advisor for Economic Affairs Dr. Hassan Fakhro, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Chairman Khalid Al-Moayed, Chief Executive of Bahrain Economic Development Board Khalid Al-Rumaihi and Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Abdullah Abdullatif.

 The German ambassador said the medal was an acknowledgement of Al-Ansari's outstanding and decade-long contributions to solidifying bilateral economic relations.

 The medal is the highest honour bestowed by Germany on people for their outstanding achievements in the political, economic, social and intellectual fields.

 Meanwhile, Abdul Jalil Al Ansari expressed happiness about the honour, which, he said, is an honour for all Bahrain.

 He dedicated it to Bahrain leadership in tribute to their fundamental role in bringing about such achievements. He also praised Bahrain's progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

 He noted that his relation with Germany started as early as 1968. He also added in 1981, he was invited to represent Bahrain as the first Arab country to take part in a large exhibition.

 Bahrain's flag flew for the first time in Germany in that exhibition, as Bahrain had no diplomatic representation or embassy then, he remembered.