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SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 202203Smooth polls pave way for new board at BCCIThe Kingdom’s businessmen queued up yesterday to elect their fraternity head Many youngbusinessmen as well aswoman entrepreneurswere seen actively takingpart in the voting process The election followsenergetic campaignsled by Tojjar Bloc,Riyadha Bloc and manyindependent candidatesStaff ReporterTDT ManamaScores of business leaders,from prominent businessmen to SME owners andsmall-scale traders, flocked toBahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre inSanabis yesterday to cast theirballots for electing the newboard of directors at BahrainChamber of Commerce and Industry.The election follows energeticcampaigns led by Tojjar Bloc, Riyadha Bloc and many independent candidates. Those electedwill constitute the 30th board ofdirectors at the Chamber, whichwas set up in the year 1939.Unlike previous elections,many young businessmen aswell as woman entrepreneurswere seen actively taking part inChamber officials at the Registration Deskthe voting process, highlightingthe transformation the Kingdom’s business sector has beenwitnessing.Speaking to The Daily Tribune,Dr Abdulla Bader Al Sada, Acting Chief Executive Officer ofBahrain Chamber of Commerceand Industry, said the electionThe voting process in progressprocess has been an historic onein terms of setting a new revolution through the exploration oflatest technologies in registration, data collection and analysisand voting.“The organising methodsare more scientific and sophisticated this time compared toprevious elections. We have 36station desks and six help desksto address the requirements ofall voters.“We have 100 per cent updated our system as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Industry,Commerce and Tourism. Ourdata is cloud based and is pro-We are the voice of businessmen in theKingdom. The incumbent chairman of theChamber holds the Chair of Association of GulfChambers and this highlights the Chamber’sgrowing role in boosting business opportunitiesbetween Bahrain and other GCC countries.DR ABDULLA BADER AL SADA, ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF BAHRAIN CHAMBER OFCOMMERCE AND INDUSTRYtected against any kind of hacking or other malware attacks.“During the past three months,we have created a special team tocarry out the electoral process.Many university students havealso volunteered with us to makethe process a great success.”He said only electoral staffand members of the electioncommittee at the Chamber areallowed in the registration areato ensure the highest credibility.Dr Al Sada pointed out thatthe election is of great importance as the Chamber functionsin the larger interest of all businessmen in the Kingdom as it isthe link between the entrepreneurs and the government. “Weare the voice of businessmen inthe Kingdom,” he said.“The incumbent chairman ofthe Chamber holds the Chair ofAssociation of Gulf Chambersand this highlights the Chamber’s growing role in boostingbusiness opportunities betweenBahrain and other GCC countries.In an exclusive interviewwith The Daily Tribune earlier, Sameer Nass, incumbent BCCIChairman and head of Tojjar-22Bloc, said growth and sustainability remain the key pillars ofTojjar-22 campaign. “We wantto continue our ongoing effortsfor the welfare and progress ofbusinessmen in the Kingdom.”The leading businessman inthe Kingdom, who is the Chairman of Nass Group, said thesuccess of the incumbent boardwith regard to matters relatedto the Kingdom’s business community bears testimony to thefuture commitments.Collective efforts needed to revitalise economy: Industry ministerTDT ManamaBahrain is currently on aneconomic recovery path,said Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani,the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, adding thatspeeding up the growth requiresthe collective efforts of all itscitizens.The ministry said this to oursister concern AlAyam on thesidelines of his visit to the voter’stent in the Bahrain Chamberelections.“We thank the Election Organising Committee for theirwonderful organisation in ensuring a smooth election,” saidthe minister.“Bahrain Chamber had smartly used technology and spaceto ensure an efficient electoralprocess,” the minister added.“We have 33 candidates running for 18 positions,” he said.“We thank them for their work,In pictures, Minister Al Zayani inspects the voting processas this is a voluntary work andnational service.”“No matter whether they qualify or not, Bahrain now needs allavailable hands-on the board toboost the economy and bring itto what it was, earlier,” the minister stressed.The minister later also paid avisit to see the progress of theelections to the board of directors of the Bahrain Chamber,which started early morningyesterday at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Conven-tion Centre.Touring the facility, the minister said, this electoral processreflects the desire of the Chamber to support the developmentprocess of the Kingdom.The minister also praisedthe role of the Chamber and itsmembers in framing commercialactivity and promoting economic growth.In a separate statement, theminister stressed the importance of harnessing the effortsof Government agencies and theprivate sector to support the national economy.Bahrain, he said, is in the process of restructuring the economy and organising priorities toadvance the national economy.He stressed the Government’ssuccess in containing the crisiscaused by the pandemic, whichaffected the countries in theworld.Government, the ministersaid, attaches great importanceto the chamber’s active role insupporting the national economy.Election day in picturesSameer NassDr Najah Al-ZayaniFarouk Al-MoayadMerchantsKhalid KanooFouad and Talal KanooIndependent candidate Yaqoub Al-AwadiHala Al-Moayad

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 202204A true ‘driver’of successCAPTAINS CORNERSpeedingon the solartrackCAPTAIN MAHMOOD AL MAHMOODChecking online for someflight tickets, I was surprised to see that there arethree choices offered to potentialtravellers: the fastest route, theleast expensive route (often involving multiple stops and changes ofaircraft and red-eye flights) and anew Option 3: the flight with minimum carbon emissions.Increasingly, people are lookingfor every way to reduce their carbon footprint and it no longer justmeans taking a reusable bag foryour grocery shopping or not hosing down your car. It is a consciousdecision to use the most sustainable option atevery point– in yourfashionwear,your food,your travel, As Bahrain revelsyour leisure. in the best ever F1,As Bahrainrevels in the with fans joyfullybest ever F1, celebrating thewith fansend of a longjoyfully celebrating the drawn andend of a long- anxiety-riddend raw n a n danxiety-rid- pandemic, thereden pandem- were many ‘green’ic, there weremany ‘green’ signs that thes i g n s t h a t thrilling motorthe thrillsports arena tooing motorsports arena had embracedtoo had em- many first steps tobraced manyf i r s t s t e p s offset the game’sto offset the giant carbongame’s giantcarbon emis- emissions.sions.This year,the BahrainGP is beingpowered byrenewableenergy andhas exceededtarget to offset Formula1 Gulf Air Bahrain GrandPrix emissions. The BIC hasinstalled its first electric vehiclecharging stations. Work is underway to expand solar production atthe circuit with all annual energyneeds to be met by solar production.These are important milestoneswhich show that the Kingdom hastaken to heart HRH the CrownPrince & PM ’’s vision for a NetZero nation by 2030. It is alsoimportant because the sportingcommunity provides so many rolemodels for fans and inspires themto replicate such behavior in theireveryday lives too. When adultsand youth see that a thrilling sportlike motor racing can be shaped tobe a sustainable and green practice,I am sure they will be willing to gothe extra mile and adopt renewable and environmentally friendlyhabits themselves.By that measure, this year’s raceis already a winner for us all!(Captain Mahmood Al Mahmood is theEditor-in-Chief of The Daily Tribune andthe President of the Arab-African UnityOrganisation for Relief, Human Rights andCounterterrorism)“Passion and conviction guided me to begin this unique journeyin the year 2005 when I became a race marshal under the Motorsport Marshals Club. Over the years, I grew up to becomea senior marshal, from where I was promoted to the role ofchief observer”.Staff ReporterTDT ManamaAs we celebrate the sagasof Bahraini women empowerment, the unusualodyssey of a highly talented, multi-tasking specialist in the worldof motorsports should not go unnoticed.Bahraini Faten Hasan Amin is awoman with a difference, for sheperforms two crucial roles, onewith the Bahrain Motor Federation and the other with BahrainInternational Circuit, carving aspecial place for herself in theKingdom’s motorsport sector.In an exclusive interaction withThe Daily Tribune, Faten said sheis really proud to be a true representative of empowered Bahrainiwomen, capable of conqueringuncharted terrains.“Passion and conviction guidedme to begin this unique journeyin the year 2005 when I becamea race marshal under the Motorsport Marshals Club,” she said.“Over the years, I grew up tobecome a senior marshal, fromwhere I was promoted to the roleof chief observer.“A chief observer sits in the racecontrol room to receive calls fromobservers on the track before reporting the situations to clerkson duty.”Faten has many firsts to hercredit. She is the first Bahrainiwoman to do the track recovery,the first Bahraini woman to be inthe training committee, havingBahraini Faten Hasan Amin is a woman with a differencetrained marshals from India and intensively contributing to theAzerbaijan.digital communication wing ofNeedless to say, she is the first the organisation.Bahraini woman to be the Trainee“I have been associated withClerk of the Course.motorsports since 2005, but IIn her role as the digital con- joined BIC only in the year 2017,”tent creator for BIC, she has been she explained.“This is aspecialweekendto me asI performboth roles.”Faten, an Amwaj Islands resident, attributesher success to consistent hardwork and dedication.“Never lose hope is my messageto those women who aspire tomake a career in the motorsportindustry. Chase your dream andpassion without any compromisesand one day you will find that theworld is yours.”Looking ahead, Faten hopesto represent the Kingdom at international motorsport events insenior decision-making roles.F1 Grand Prix made Bahrainthe focus of the world: ministerTDT ManamaThe success of the F1 BahrainGrand Prix has, over theyears, contributed to making thekingdom the focus of the motorsporting world, said InformationAffairs Minister.“This has also contributed toenhancing Bahrain’s sports, tourism and media gains and confirms Bahrain’s distinguishedability to host mega internationalevents,” said Ali bin MohammedAl-Romaihi.The minister affirmed that theKingdom continues to reap thefruits of the pioneering project,BIC, which had started in 2004thanks to His Royal HighnessPrince Salman bin Hamad AlKhalifa, the Crown Prince andPrime Minister.The minister also highlightedthe positive impacts of the Bah-Minister Al-Romaihi at the BICrain F1 Grand Prix on the aviation industry, transportation andtourism and its contributions toincreasing the development gainsattained by the kingdom underthe leadership of His MajestyKing Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.The minister was visiting BIC toreview the media coverage of the2022 Formula 1 Gulf Air BahrainGrand Prix.The minister expressed pridein the ongoing cooperation of theInformation Affairs Ministry withBIC and the relevant governmentdepartments to provide the necessary media and technical servicesto reporters of local and interna-tional media outlets.Al-Romaihi further underlinedministry’s keenness to providea comprehensive and outstanding media coverage of the 2022F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prixthrough direct radio and television shows, interviews, and reports.

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 202205Valuable prizes to be won in BIC’s ’10 Every10’ raffle at F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 2022TDT Manamaat 6pm.Ten random winners will beannounced every 10 minutesduring this period, making forplenty of additional excitementamongst those in attendance.The valuable prizes include aPlayStation 5, iPhone 13, Mini,Pro, Pro Max, Apple Watch N S7,SE Samsung S22, S22 , HuaweiY5P, Huawei Nova Y60, HuaweiWatch GT, Huawei P50, AirPodswith wireless charge case, AirPods 3rd Gen, Nokia G20, NokiaX20, AIRTAG1 Pack and more.Fans are advised to be in theirBahrain International Circuit(BIC) will be giving away valuable prizes today at the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain GrandPrix 2022.All those seated alongthe 10,500-capacity Main Grandstand will all have a chance toemerge as one of the many luckywinners in BIC’s “10 Every 10”raffle.All they have to do is be intheir allotted seats from 4.45pmuntil the 57-lap night race startsThe valuable prizesinclude a PlayStation5, iPhone 13, Mini, Pro,Pro Max, Apple WatchN S7, SE Samsung S22,S22 , Huawei Y5P, Huawei Nova Y60, HuaweiWatch GT, Huawei P50,AirPods with wirelesscharge case, AirPods3rd Gen, Nokia G20,Nokia X20, AIRTAG1Pack and more.seats on time as winners will beidentified by their seat numbers.They will be announced and located by BIC staff, so they mustbe in their seat in order to claimtheir prize.Race-goers must not miss outon this wonderful opportunityso they must make sure that theyare at their Main Grandstandseat for the duration of the raffle.Only those with Main Grandstand tickets can be a part ofthe draw.Verstappen strong candidatefor Bahrain GP: Shaikh FawazTDT ManamaRed Bull’s Max Verstappen, who set the fastestFerrari put uplap during the seconda remarkablepractice, is one of the strongperformanceduringcandidates to lift the Formulaqualifying,andthe1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand PrixMercedes suffered2022, said Shaikh Fawaz binstability issues. We doMohammed Al Khalifa, Ambassador of Bahrain to the Unitednot know whether itKingdom.is a tactic to surpriseFerrari, Shaikh Fawaz said,the teams in the raceput up a remarkable perforor notmance during qualifying, andSHAIKHFAWAZBIN MOHAMMED ALthe Mercedes suffered stabilityKHALIFAissues.“We do not know whether it isa tactic to surprise the teams inKingdom in organising Formula showcases the distinct capabilthe race or not,” he told AlAyam. tional Circuit yesterday.The Ambassador stressed that One races over the past 17 years, ities of the Kingdom.Shaikh Fawaz said this duringa visit to the Bahrain Interna- the successes achieved by the all the way to the 18th edition,Gulf Air to perform lower emission flypast at Grand PrixTDT ManamaGulf Air, the national carrierof the Kingdom of Bahrain,in cooperation with Formula 1and Neste plan on performinga lower emission flypast at the2022 Formula 1 season opener at the Bahrain InternationalCircuit in Sakhir.Gulf Air unveiled its firstBoeing 787-9 Dreamliner withits new corporate identity atthe Formula 1 Gulf Air BahrainGrand Prix 2018 and is now using Sustainable Aviation Fuelprovided by Neste to conductthis years’ iconic flypast for thesecond year in a row.Captain Waleed AlAlawi,Acting Chief Executive Officer,said, “For the second year in arow, we mark the beginning ofthe race with a truly special lowEach year, Gulf Air is alwaysdelighted in being the title sponsor of the Formula 1 race at theBahrain International Circuit.”Commenting on behalf ofFormula 1, Stefano Domenicali,President and CEO , said “Weare again delighted to see theprogress and drive from ourpartners and hosts to deliversuch an exciting spectacle toour fans through the use of newtechnologies, showcasing theirambition for a more sustainablefuture.”Commenting on behalf ofNeste, Jonathan Wood, VicePresident of Renewable Aviation, said, “We look forward tosupporting increased demandfor SAF in the Middle East, aemission flypast as a commit- Aviation Fuel in our aircraft and region which is well known forment to our future strategy to standing by our commitment being a leader in the aviationexplore the use of Sustainable to lower our carbon emissions. sector.”Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) ChiefExecutive Officer, Chairman of the National Committee forCombating Trafficking in Persons, Jamal Abdulaziz Al Alawimet with the Director-General of the United Nations Officein Vienna (UNOV) and the Executive Director of the UnitedNations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ghada Waly.The two sides discussed bilateral cooperation in upholdinghuman rights and combatting human trafficking. AlAlawi stressed Bahrain’s commitment to institutionalisethe combat against trafficking in persons, in line withinternational standards and best practices. The DirectorGeneral of the United Nations Office in Vienna, GhadaWaly, highlighted that the Bahraini experience is a modelfor comprehensive anti-trafficking mechanisms at thelocal, regional, inter-regional and international levels.Arab Inter-ParliamentaryUnion calls for boostingcooperationTDT BaliSpeaker of the Council ofRepresentatives and President of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU), Fawziabint Abdulla Zainal, stressedthe need to broaden cooperation among Arab parliamentsand legislative councils toachieve the common interests.She also reminded the meeting that parliaments are essential partners to the governmentin enhancing the progress andprosperity of Arab states andtheir peoples.Zainal asserted that defending Arab issues and interests is among the prioritiesof Arab parliaments, laudingthe advanced level of coordination and solidarity amongArab parliaments, especiallyat international parliamentarygatherings.Zainal made the statementswhile chairing yesterday thecoordination meeting of theArab Group at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), heldon the sidelines of the 144thAssembly of the IPU and itsrelated meetings currentlyhosted by Indonesia.IPU President, Duarte Pacheco, and members of theBahraini parliamentary delegation tool part.AIPU President affirmed thatthe challenges faced by Arabcountries and attempts to undermine security, stability andunity require strengtheningArab solidarity and joint action.

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 202206Bilad Al-Qadeem HealthCentre works to start soonTDT ManamaExpansion works of theBilad Al-Qadeem HealthCentre will start soon, said atop Works Ministry officialyesterday.Shaikh Mishaal bin Mohammed Al Khalifa said theministry is rushing throughprocedures to start the project’s implementation phase,which will cost the exchequerBD 1,005,293.The Assistant Undersecretary for Construction andMaintenance Projects said theministry had redesigned theproject to include all requirements and would supervise itsimplementation.Works include partial renovation of the medical and administrative section and consultation area.The ministry, he said, is alsoadding a two-storey buildingfrom the backside of the centre. The ground floor consistsof parking spaces, a radiologyroom and rooms for doctorsand nursing.T he t end er bo ard h adawarded the project to AlMoayyed Contracting Company. The budget is shared between Al-Moayyed BusinessCorporation and the Ministryof Finance and National Economy.HM the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, received yesterday the Foreign AffairsMinister of Singapore, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and his accompanying delegation. Youth and Sports Affairs Minister, Ayman bin Tawfiq Al-Moayyed, and DeputyNational Security Advisor for Coordination and Follow-up, Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, were present. HH Shaikh Nasser lauded the distinguished friendlyrelations between Bahrain and Singapore and affirmed constant keenness to broaden areas of bilateral cooperation. The Singaporean Foreign Minister praised theoutstanding level reached by relations between the two countries.Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatifbin Rashid Al-Zayani, held anofficial session of talks with hisSingaporean counterpart Dr VivianBalakrishnan, who is on a visitto Bahrain. Discussions focusedon promoting cooperation inthe economic and developmentfields, activating memoranda ofunderstanding and agreementsbetween the two countries. Theyalso discussed the political, securityand economic developments at theregional and international levels.Tributes pour in for Hassan Al KhayjTDT ManamaHis Majesty the King’sAdvisor for DiplomaticAffairs, ShaikhKhalid bin Ahmedbin Mohammed AlKhalifa, received inhis office at GudaibiyaPalace Singapore’sForeign Minister, DrVivian Balakrishnanand his accompanyingdelegation.Discussions focusedon the latest regionaland internationaldevelopments ofcommon concern.tion.Bahrainis responded by giving him a big surprise.They collected almost half ofthe amount required for treatment in around two hours.And a few hours later, HisRoyal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, theCrown Prince and Prime Minister, directed authorities hereto take care of all his medicalexpenses in America.Tributes are pouring in forHassan Al Khayj, whopassed away after a brief journey with cancer.Al Khayj was hugely popular on social media through hismessages.At an unimaginably difficulttime in his journey, he hadmade a video message callingon for help for his rare condi-BTEA launches “Food Festival” with 120 restaurantsTDT ManamaDr. Nasser Qaedi, CEO of theBahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority inauguratedthe sixth edition of the “BahrainFood Festival” in the BahrainHarbour, with over 120 local andinternational restaurants participating and offering a rich rangeof food items that cater to alltastes. The festival will be helduntil April 1.“Bahrain Food Festival” returns this year with an unprecedented edition in which visitorswill be treated to a festive andentertaining atmosphere thatwill appeal to all family members and make their visit to thefestival an unforgettable experience. This also demonstrates thesuccess of the Bahrain TourismAuthority in developing the existing annual events and launching new events, in the implementation of the ambitious goalsof the Bahrain Tourism Strategy2022 - 2026.“Live Cooking Station” whichfeatures several well-knownBahraini chefs preparing andcooking various sorts of cuisinein front of the public in a uniqueinteractive setting, is anotherhighlight of this year’s food festival. The festival also features awide range of events and exciting activities. It includes Bahraini artists who will performa variety of musical and artisticacts. Visitors also will have access to a recreational area asw

cuit yesterday announced the completion of a major solar project fulfilling Bahrain's 2021 commitment to make the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix green by 2022. The project, BIC said, more than covers the energy require-ments of the Formula 1 week - end, with excess to spare. "It reduces the venue's carbon footprint, generates .