Chamber to revitalise old Manama souk

A number of measures aimed at revitalising the old Manama souk and business in general were undertaken by the newly-elected board of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Some of these measures include improving conditions in the old market and restoring its importance in overall trade, and urging the business community to use the free service of the special committee aimed at settling trade disputes, besides identifying training needs of private sector to help enhance the administrative, technical and other capabilities in their establishments.

The old souk, which was once the main centre for business, started witnessing a slump in the number of shoppers with new malls coming up all over the island. Professionals from concerned circles have urged the authorities to revive its age-old glory and ensure business continues as usual.

In this regard, a call has already gone to all shop owners to join hands with the chamber to revitalise the Manama souk and end the steady decline in trade and shoppers there.

The chamber's retail sale and traditional market committee chairman Jawad Al Hawaj said, "A joint partnership of the chamber and the business community is essential to achieve this target. In fact, through such a partnership, the chamber could contribute a lot to the business community.

"Packed with small traditional businesses, the Manama souq, in the heart of the busy business centre, has always been a popular tourist attraction, but it now needs help to compete with modern shopping malls."

The retail and traditional market committee of the chamber held its first meeting recently, attended by around 40 members and local businessmen who discussed means to bring about closer ties between the chamber and the business community.

The meeting was organised following a letter sent by Manama businessmen to Sheikh Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Commander of Bahrain's Defence Forces, seeking his help to revitalise business there.

Among the topics discussed were traffic congestion and parking, and making the streets more comfortable for walking.

In another development, the island's business community has been asked by the chamber's arbitration and trade disputes committee to use its services for effective settlement of disputes.

Chamber board member and arbitration and trade disputes committee chairman, Moha-mmed Eid Bokhammas, said, "The committee has successfully settled disputes not just among business community, but also those involving foreign parties outside the country.

"In fact, the committee has been receiving, on an average, around 100 cases every year, and we managed to settle around 80-85 per cent of the disputes brought before us," he said.

Meanwhile, the chamber has also spearheaded a new push to identify training needs in the private sector to revitalise it.