This signals the start of the election season in Bahrain which now will extend to Oct 2006. This one is for the board members of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
I’m voting for the guys who bothered to put an effort into their campaign and had the presence of mind to display their photograph as serious but relaxed and professional bunch, rather than the usual “Criminal ID Book” kind of hoarding.
And they’ve not been in the chamber before, so they’re fresh. It’s about time we got some new blood into that edifice that did nothing tangible for the business community.
Comments
Let the Elections begin!
We desperately need new blood, this country is runnin old-school style. I do agree with you Mahmood, the current BCCI members did nothin really, nothin that really left a mark on the business environment. I hope that those new members really deliver everythin they promised, that is if they win. And I pray to god that this is the start of a Bahraini comeback (year 2006), not only on the business scene, but on a political one (the crappiest parliament ever ousted).
Khalid
Let the Elections begin!
wow , the construction at the WTC seems to be at a halt since august, out of dough? 😛
Let the Elections begin!
I can tell you that the progress on the WTC is goin ahead in full steam, it’s 32 floors now if am not wrong. I don’t live in Bahrain at the moment but the last time I was there (2 months ago), this thing was at 24 floors or so.
Oh ya Mahmood, I enjoyed your tower pics, post some on your flickr from time to time :).
Khalid
Let the Elections begin!
I am a firm believer in the previous BCCI board members, and to say they accomplished nothing really – “KHALID” – is plain stupid! I think it’s about time you actually read a newspaper before just spitting out nonsense like that. I agree that new blood is needed, but the previous board members, many of whom have a very good reputation in the business community and the community at large will definitely have to remain in order to pass on a lot of their knowledge to the younger generation. And, keep in mind, many of the younger businessmen who are running are children of the previous BCCI members. These individuals share the very same wisdom and understanding of their parents, and will continue on with all the progress and development that has already been achieved.
I think to make general claims like “the current BCCI members did nothin really, nothin that really left a mark on the business environment” is disturbing and ignorant. Think before you speak!
Ahmed
Let the Elections begin!
I agree with the new guys to be in position rather than who has the more money or more companies.
But how young do these guys need to be posted in the board?
What are the years of experience required for them to be good candidates?
They practically had no presence in our lives either in newspaper appearance or achievements, i wonder what we can expect.
Emad
Let the Elections begin!
Khalid,
If I by any means insulted you by my “bashin”, then I apologize. That was not my intent. Anyways, what gets to me is that you and others speak a lot against the BCCI, yet you don’t really know how it functions. Dude, this is Bahrain, only during the 25th round did the gov’t actually “START” to consider and value the BCCI due to the reforms implemented by the King. You have to understand that you can not compare Bahrain to other countries because it’s all relative. Each country has its own political and economic stance. I do know a few members of the current BCCI, and trust me, if you were to sit and talk to them, you’d understand where they come from and what hard work they put into this volunteering work to represent the business community. Also, I can go on and on, but trust me, I’d rather just keep it at that. Take Care.
Ahmed
Let the Elections begin!
Ahmed, when I said nothin, I didn’t mean nothin at all during their history (there are some really good things they did but overall nothin that great). And to claim that I need to start reading newspapers is silly. Just because I said somethin doesn’t mean I don’t know anythin that’s goin on and for you to make me sound like an idiot. My family knows a lot of those businessmen and dude, there’s more to it than what you read. And if one of the businessmen is your relative, I’m sorry, don’t take it personally.
Just to clear things up, I read the Financial news not only of Bahrain but the world on a daily basis and to be honest with you, I’ve been readin the works of other business chambers in other parts of the world and trust me, in a few years they achieved what we never achieved throughout those years. Mind you havin said that, Bahrain is a small country and things should be much better to start off with. I agree with Mahmood in his first post, there is nothing tangible. Tell me, if I start a new business, the BCCI won’t support me to start off with, I know ppl that did and the BCCI did nothin at all. Yes, these new candidates might be the sons of the others, but still it’s new blood, new way of thinkin unless the same mentality is installed, then nothin will change.
I can go on for a while but I need to leave now. I would have appreciated if you wrote your reply in a more diplomatic way rather than just start bashin. Anyways, just to give you an idea, I’m studyin all this stuff at postgrad level, so don’t assume I know nothin, I’ve been doin years of readin, and I know the difference between what we have an what we should have.
Khalid