The Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani received the president of CIBJO Dr. Gaetano Cavallieri and his accompanying delegation, who are currently visiting the Kingdom of Bahrain in preparation the annual CIBJO Congress in 2019. 

During the meeting, the minister affirmed that such international conferences are part of Bahrain vision to revive and enhance Bahrain’s position as global center for nature pearls, leading business destination as well as attracting more international investments. 

A significant decision has been taken on Friday 16 November 2018, where scientists from around the world met at the 26th General Conference on Weights and Measures in Versailles, France, and voted to change the definition of a kilogram, tying it to a universal constant in nature. 

Standards and Metrology Director Mona Alalawi in Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, said that the unit of kilogram is one of the basic units in the international system of units, and is defined for more than 120 years as the mass and the international prototype kilogram made of a platinum/iridium alloy, preserved at the headquarters International Bureau of weights and measures located in France. The new definition of kilogram will go into effect on May 20, 2019 along with other three unit of measures: ampere, mole and kelvin. 

She added that in the everyday life, the redefinition is expected to have no immediate consequence, but change aims to have greater accuracy for scientific advancement.

The Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani confirmed Ministry’s keenness to provide better services and enhance an effective communication with the beneficiaries of these services from inside and outside the country, in implementation of the directives of the leadership and the government.

This came during meeting with “Tawasul” working team, praising their outstanding role in responding to the cases received through Tawasul system.  The minister granted appreciation certificates to the team, stressing the need to maintain excellence status of the ministry through more giving and perseverance.

It should be noted that the Ministry joined “Tawasul” system in August 2014.

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The Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani received General Manager of GCC Accreditation Center (GAC) Mr.  Ahmed Al Mutery, who presented to the minister a copy of International recognition certificate of the GCC Accreditation Center in three areas of inspection, calibration and examination.

During the meeting, they discussed areas of cooperation with the Center, praising the efforts undertaken by the center. Mr. Ahmed Al Mutery briefed the minister of GAC activities and the importance role of accreditation in enhancing confidence in the quality system. 

It should be noted that GCC Accreditation Center was established on 8 May 2013 with the aim of providing accreditation services in various fields. 

The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani received MP Jalal Kadhem where they discussed aspects of cooperation and coordination between the Ministry and Council of Representatives.

In this regard, the Minister affirmed Ministry's readiness to provide the support to the Council of Representatives, noting in this regard the Ministry's keenness to coordinate with all concerned parties to achieve the vision and strategies of the government and aspirations of the citizens and residents of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism receives Ambassador of the Republic of Sri Lanka Dr. A. Saj U. Mendis, where they discussed and reviewed ways of cooperation between the two countries especially in the economic field.

During the meeting, they reviewed the economic infrastructure of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its advantages, which makes Bahrain a preferred investment destination for many of the world's largest industrial and commercial enterprises. The minister appreciates the efforts undertaken by the Sri Lanka Embassy in developing bilateral relation between the two countries and upgrading economic cooperation to the desired level, stressing government’s continuous efforts to foster these relations and increase bilateral cooperation in industrial, commercial and investment sector.

In line with the directives of the Government Executive Committee chaired by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and Chairman of the SME Development Board Zayed R. Alzayani launched Export Bahrain.

Launched by the SME Development board in cooperation with Tamkeen, Export Bahrain aims to strengthen the private sector’s role, promote exports and increase the competitive power of local small and medium enterprises.

During the launch, HE the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism delivered a speech in which he thanked HRH the Crown Prince for continuously supporting the initiative, noting that Export Bahrain reflects the Kingdom’s long-standing commitment to accelerating diversification efforts.

HE the Minister went on noting that SME Development Board’s five-year plan includes several initiatives that aim to facilitate financing, increase market access, streamline Bahrain’s business environment, improve skill sets, and foster innovation to achieve sustainable growth. On that note, HE the Minister went on affirming that Export Bahrain will increase exports’ contribution to GDP from 30% to 40%, increase the share of exports from 8% to 20% and increase the number of Bahrainis working in SMEs from 36,000 to 43,000.

HE Mr Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the Economic Development Board (EDB), said: "Export Bahrain will play a major role in increasing domestic exports, an objective that we aim to achieve in the Kingdom. This increase has a direct impact on the trade balance and improved cash reserves, and indirect effects that include contribution to job creation. This is what we seek to achieve in the Economic Development Board through attracting and encouraging domestic and foreign investments in order to raise productivity and increase exports."

The Chief Executive of Tamkeeen, HE Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Janahi, said that Export Bahrain aims to support local companies that wish to expand into international markets.

HE Mr. Ashish Shah, Director, Division of Country Programmes at the International Trade Centre (ITC), highlighted Export Bahrain’s strong partnership with trade and investment promotion organizations around the world, noting that the establishment will contribute to the diversification of the economy and enhance the competitiveness of SMEs. 

HE Mr. Shah concluded by expressing ITC’s readiness to provide the required technical assistance to enhance exports, which includes providing advisory services to the center, cooperating with the Arab Investment & Export Credit Guarantee to introduce export insurance, and providing financing services in partnership with Bahrain Islamic Bank and Bahrain Development Bank.

Dr Nasser Qaedi, Executive Director of Export Bahrain also gave an overview of the wide-ranging services offered by Export Bahrain in order to achieve its objectives. Qaedi highlighted that Export Bahrain is committed to streamlining export related processes, increase marketing opportunities for exporting SME’s, and enhance their efficiency.

Export Bahrain, in cooperation with a number of local organizations, will launch programs to increase export opportunities by establishing a business directory, and to increase national companies’ export capacities. To achieve that a number of key indicators have been developed to measure and track the growth of exports, the presence of local goods in foreign markets and the national export volume index. 

Today's launch took place in conjunction with the final stage of preparation for the 'Made in Bahrain' trademark, which has been approved by MOICT and will soon be used by local businesses to promote Bahraini-made products.

Under the Patronage of HE the minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani, the 6th International Professional Conference is launched under title of “The Future of the Accounting Profession in Light of the Knowledge Revolution”. The conference is organized by the International Arab Society of Certified Accountants at Wyndham Grand Hotel.

During the opening ceremony, the minister pointed out that the global economy in general and the emerging economies in particular requires more accuracy for the opportunities available. He added that are accounting reports are the most important elements of attracting foreign investments and capital and localization local investments in addition of being a key source of decision-making. 

He pointed out that profession of accounting and auditing are like other professions face many challenges. Globalization and the rapid economic challenges that have emerged in the business environment have slowdown of economic growth, resulted in major changes in the profession of accounting and auditing, and required new roles and duties for accountants and auditors to establish strong rules in line with the developments.

The great efforts and keenness undertaken by the government of the Kingdom of Bahrain to face the challenges professionally has been able to deal with all difficulties, overcome them, and thus maintain its advances position internationally in all economic and developmental fields.