With Bahrain’s weekly consumption of cement rises to 24,000 tonnes, the Minister of Industry and Commerce Dr Hassan Fakhro warned the hoarders about the strict Government.
The minister, who chaired the 12th joint committee meeting to facilitate the procedures and transaction in industrial and commercial sectors, affirmed Government’s guidelines to keep the price of construction material particularly cement at reasonable level according to what is available from local factories and one a cement factory in Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Fakhro warned hoarders of the consequences for exploiting through fluctuation and raising prices.
The Minister stressed that the amount currently available between local and imported cement up to 24,000 tonnes a week likely to be increased.
He also directed concerned authority in the country to look for maritime transport and other alternative solutions to ensure the availability of required quantities of his important product.
The minister of Industry and Commerce Dr. Hassan Fakhro praised the cooperation shown by committee members and its membership which includes a number of senior officials of the ministries and government institutions, in addition to private sector representatives and businessmen concerned in these vital sectors, noting in this regard the importance of periodic meetings and regular follow up that carried out by the committee to stop any constraints or obstacles that may face investors and traders in these sector.
Dr. Fakhro highlighted the importance of the Ministry’s keenness to follow up on all issues and matters related to procedures of dealing in these sectors and to stand on any problems or issues that may occur at any stage and to be addressed in a timely manner.
During the meeting they reviewed the development of industrial and commercial sector and Ministry’s achievements in these sectors, and great facilities provided to investors locally and regionally, which reflected positively on the size of the projects developed and investments attracted by Bahrain from the region and the world. Committee members emphasized the importance of coordination and joint action between private and public sectors to achieved Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.
Among the topics reviewed by the meeting the fees collected by Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning at factories located in industrial zone and jointly adopted by the committee to consider the Justifications. Municipality affairs and Urban Planning representative noted that this is not possible in the current period based on what stated in the decree of this matter, which specify fees exemption without reference to the factories located in the industrial zone. Despite that, the minister directed committee president to consider other solution to facilitate factories in this aspect.
In regard to the agencies that monopolized some companies in some regional states, which includes agencies of some brand watches, jewelry and other goods, it has a tacking external agent. The Minister stressed commerce sector officials to follow up this matter and reach a positive outcome to benefit national in Bahrain.
Committee members expressed their appreciation for the great efforts made by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in order to facilitate business and industrial activity in the Kingdom.