HMA, Iain Lindsay, British Ambassador to Bahrain, hailed bilateral relations between the two nations at the Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF) Christmas Lunch meeting held at the Intercontinental Regency Hotel in Bahrain. The meeting was chaired by BBBF Chairman Khalid Al-Zayani.
“The Gulf is critical to UK foreign policy objectives. It is therefore in our interest to engage closely with Gulf governments. The UK/Bahrain relationship is in very good shape. I welcome HRH the Crown Prince’s warm words of appreciation at the Manama Dialogue for the British government’s friendship and support for dialogue and reform, and our practical assistance. I also welcome similar sentiments which His Majesty expressed to British Foreign Secretary William Hague at their meeting on 8 December,” Ambassador Lindsay, said.
“I also welcome the Crown Prince’s call for dialogue in Bahrain. I encourage the government in its pursuit of political reform. It is important the authorities and political societies agree on a way forward that takes account of the aspirations of all Bahrainis. I call on all societies to reject violence and engage rapidly in dialogue. I therefore strongly welcome the meeting of political societies and civil society in Riffa to discuss human rights. This is an excellent and much-needed confidence-building step.”
“With Bahrain the UK’s fastest growing export market in the Gulf, up 35% over 2011, I wish BBBF members a Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2013,” he added.
The BBBF is a growing network of businessmen and women in Bahrain, which now has over 460 members. The Forum aims to promote trade and investment between Bahrain and Britain by offering opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing between the two business communities.