H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, affirmed that protecting consumer rights and raising awareness of the importance of adopting a sustainable lifestyle is a priority for the Ministry, which constantly aims to empower consumers and support them to make responsible consumer decisions.

This came on the occasion of the World’s Consumers' Rights Protection Day, marked on March 15 by the United Nations since 1983, and this year, it comes under the slogan "Sustainable Lifestyles".

H.E. the Minister noted that achieving sustainability in consumption has become an urgent necessity that requires close cooperation between government entities, the private sector, civil society organizations, and consumers themselves, to ensure a fair and transparent consumer environment that encourages reliable and responsible business practices.

His Excellency added that the Consumer Protection Directorate at the Ministry will continue to work on launching new initiatives and programs to promote a culture of sustainable consumption, and cooperating with local and international bodies to transfer expertise and successful experiences in this field, stressing the role of the Consumer Protection Directorate in involving youth and future generations through awareness and training, and motivating them to adopt more conscious and responsible consumption habits by partnering with the Ministry of Education and educational institutions in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Minister Fakhro stressed that consumer protection is not just a legal responsibility, but rather a moral and societal obligation that enhances trust and preserves rights in a fair and sustainable economic environment. Affirming that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce is committed to continuing its efforts to protect consumer rights and spread awareness of sustainable consumption.

In the attendance and support of H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, the second edition Legacy Family Business Forum 2025 will be held on Wednesday 23^rd April 2025 at Downtown Rotana Bahrain under the theme: “Sustaining a Legacy: the balance between tradition and innovation”. This highly anticipated event highlights the challenges and opportunities that face multi-generational corporations; and how to pass on the business legacy. 

The forum comes as an important periodic platform that gathers market leaders, decision-makers and owners and heads of family businesses to exchange experiences and practices for transformation and growth during periods of change and achieve sustainability and stability for these companies across generations, as family businesses represent about 90% of the private sector in the Middle East and North Africa, and achieve more than 30% of the national product of the countries of the region.

This year’s Legacy Forum aims to shed light on the challenges and opportunities facing multi-generational mega companies, and discusses corporate sustainability by employing innovation and some important topics such as replacement policies, corporate governance, and next-generation leaders.

The Forum will bring speakers of the founding generation and embark a dialogue with members of the new generation in Family Businesses. Hot topics will include discussions over innovation, sustainability, succession and corporate governance. 

The Legacy Forum is becoming a regular platform for industry leaders, decision makers and top family business members to share insights, network and evolve. The impact of family enterprises on regional economies reflects the need for tailored strategies that ensure sustainable economic growth over generations to come. 

This Forum is co-organized by Expressions Media and Bahrain Businessmen’s Association, in support and collaboration of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Bahrain Bourse and the National Center for Family Businesses from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce highlighted the role of hypermarkets in Bahrain in providing consumer requirements at reasonable prices, noting the positive efforts of local markets to ensure the availability of goods with the approach of Ramadan in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

This came during the visit of the Minister of Industry and Commerce to Megamart Manama and Ramez Hypermarket in Juffair, as part of a series of visits to local markets to oversee their preparations for the holy month and the promotions they offer and ensure the availability of various food commodities.

The Minister noted that all private sector preparations for Ramadan are paralleled by continuous visits and direct follow-up from the Ministry to identify challenges and monitor and control prices to ensure the best services for consumers, expressing his appreciation for the private sector’s constant cooperation.

HE Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, toured Carrefour Bahrain Markets store of Majid Al Futtaim Group at Marassi Galleria in Diyar Al Muharraq and Midway in Tubli, in the presence of a number of senior officials from the Ministry, where he was briefed on the preparations to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan, where a wide range of basic food commodities and Ramadan supplements were displayed, including dates, sweets and fresh produce.

During the tour, the minister met with a number of officials in Carrefour and exchanged views on current market conditions, stressing the need for cooperation between the ministry and the private sector to ensure the availability of goods and price stability.

The minister stressed the importance of responding to consumer feedback and improving services, stressing the importance of maintaining price stability during the month of Ramadan, noting that the ministry will continue to supervise markets and take all necessary measures to control prices and provide goods at reasonable prices.

His Excellency Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, met with Her Excellency Dr. Fatema Abdul-Jabbar Al-Kooheji, Bahrain Businesswomen Society Chairman, and a number of Society members on the occasion of the election of the new Board of Directors the formation of the Council, where he referred to the active role of the Society in supporting the advancement of Bahraini women and highlighting their contributions in various fields.

His Excellency stressed the vital role of Businesswomen in Bahrain’s development journey, pointing to the importance of enhancing the contributions of Bahraini women in the economic and development sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and praising the partnership between the public and private sectors. 

Fakhro hailed the positive efforts of Bahrain Businesswomen Society and its continuous cooperation with the Ministry to strengthen the economic sector, and its organization and participation in many events at various levels, in addition to its prominent presence in various local, regional and international forums, wishing the new council great success.

HE Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro Minister of Industry and Commerce met Mr. Frédéric Sanchez President MEDEF International, and Chairman of the Executive Board of Fives Group, and his accompanying delegation, upon his visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, in the presence His Excellency Éric Giraud-Telme, Ambassador of the French Republic to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The Minister praised the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the French Republic in various fields, especially economy, trade and investment, crowned by official joint agreements. Pointing to the supportive role of unions, associations and chambers of commerce in promoting bilateral efforts.

The association members reviewed the tasks of the International Federation and the French Chamber and their promotional and investment objectives, as well as a number of topics of common interest.

Medef is the first network of entrepreneurs in France, and 70% of the companies that are members of the Medef are VSEs/SMEs.

HE Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, affirmed the prominent role played by major companies in supporting the national economy.

 This came during the visit of the Minister of Industry and Commerce to the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Company "ASRY", where he was received by CEO Dr. Ahmed Al Abri, and a number of officials. His Excellency was briefed on the company's latest developments and its most important operations.

 His Excellency pointed to the importance of major industrial projects and their strategic role in enhancing the position and competitiveness of the Kingdom of Bahrain at the regional and international levels, highlighting the increasing growth of the industrial sector and its development path to achieve sustainable economic development.

"ASRY" is one of the most prominent mega companies at the local, regional and international levels. Established in 1977 in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the company services include ship repair and conversion, as well as repair and conversion of offshore rigs and vessels, and the manufacture of offshore and onshore industrial components, covering all types of ship repair, including lifting platforms and other offshore assets.

HE Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, visited Al Helli branch in Hamad Town and Danube in Al Liwan, as part of the continuous efforts to ensure the availability of goods and stability of their prices to meet consumer needs in local market in Ramadan.

During the visit, the Minister ensured the availability of various quantities of all types of foodstuffs, in addition to available promotional offers, especially on high demand commodities during the holy month, praising the markets’ efforts in providing required goods in preparation for Ramadan, and affirming that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce is continuously following the market movement in coordination with relevant authorities.