The joint committee between the Shura and Representatives Councils and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) held a meeting.
The meeting was co-chaired by Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, Speaker of the Council of Representatives; Khalid Hussain Al Maskati, Chairman of the Shura Council’s Economic and Financial Affairs Committee; and Sameer Abdulla Nass, Chairman of BCCI.
They discussed projects and initiatives aimed at prioritising citizens, to serve national future approaches in line with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The Speaker affirmed the joint keenness to strengthen cooperation between the legislative branch and the private sector, expressing appreciation for the role of the private sector as a key partner in the development process and efforts to provide the conducive environment to create more opportunities.
He referred to the recent meeting with HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister that emphasised existing efforts to support employment and create a sustainable future for citizens, in a manner that contributes to enhancing sustainable growth and economic diversity.
Today’s meeting is part of the ongoing discussion of the project and was aimed at, listening to BCCI’s views on parliamentary proposals and legislation related to the economy to implement initiatives that prioritise Bahraini citizens in the labour market, Al Musallam added.
The legislative and executive branches had also held a joint meeting to discuss making the citizens a national priority to serve future requirements.
The chairman of the Shura Committee stressed the two branches’ keenness to develop cooperation and engage in effective strategies, plans, and programmes that boost the national economy and the private sector, and provide job opportunities for the citizens.
He pointed out the importance of these meetings to unify efforts to support the development of the labour market and the advancement of the national economy.
Al Maskati commended the role of the BCCI in tracking the requirements for developing the local market by applying an elaborate scientific methodology involving studies, analysis, and questionnaires, as well as periodic reviews of the outputs of labour market regulations, plans, and programmes.
He affirmed the importance of monitoring economic and investment challenges and opportunities, in parallel with putting in place legislative and legal requirements to contribute to formulating integrated strategies based on the current economic and financial conditions.
Sameer Abdullah Nass, Chairman of BCCI, underscored the importance of supporting Bahrainis in the labour market by strengthening cooperation between all government and legislative bodies, as well as the private sector, to create quality job opportunities.
He highlighted the importance of improving education outcomes to bridging the labour market in Bahrain, and replacing expatriates with Bahraini citizens, and reconsidering imposing higher fees on the private sector as the only solution; given the consequences of higher prices and inflation that creates for citizens and consumers due to the increase of production costs.
The chairman urged all relevant parties to conduct a comprehensive study of the proposed solutions that could be applied, to ensure sustainability for development projects and goals, and improve Bahrain’s economic system.
BNA(R)
