MANAMA: Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF) held its annual general meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Chairman of the BBBF Mr. Khalid Al Zayani OBE gave his annual report summarising last year’s achievements and outlined the BBBF’s financial report for 2015.
Amongst the many achievements was growing the BBBF’s membership to record numbers, businessmen and women representing all sectors of business. The BBBF’s monthly networking functions regularly attracted over 100 members and guests at each function, with many guests becoming new members. Speakers at these gatherings have been prominent figures from local organisations and government bodies, including several Ministers, business and community leaders, and visiting trade delegations from the UK.
The forum’s Special Interest Group (SIG) meetings saw increased activity and participation throughout the year. Two new SIGs covering Oil, Gas & Energy and Hospitality industries were introduced in 2015, adding to the existing SIGs covering construction, banking & financial services, ICT and legal sectors; as well as organisational effectiveness and young professionals. The SIGs offer members and guests a valuable medium for exchanging industry specific ideas and discussing issues relevant to a particular sector.
“This year we have continued to strengthen our position as the largest business group in Bahrain, attracting many new members from all sectors of the business community. Particularly, we look to encourage new young members, the leaders of the future, to complement our diverse membership and bring new sustainable ideas to the table,” Mr. Al Zayani, said.
Mr. Al Zayani thanked the forum’s Executive Committee, Special Interest Group leaders, and sponsors HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, Gulf Brands International, Euro Motors, AXA Insurance, Etihad Airways, Hill + Knowlton Strategies, CharlesRussell Speechlys and OAK Utility Solutions & Development.
“I would also like extend our appreciation and thank you to our extremely supportive British Ambassador, H.E. Simon Martin and the rest of the team at the Embassy for their unwavering support. The committee looks forward to making 2016 an even more successful year, particularly as we are celebrating the 200th Anniversary of British and Bahraini relations,” added, Mr. Al Zayani.
During the meeting, a business class ticket to London donated by Etihad Airways was raffled between the members present. Ms. Maria Abraham from Etihad Airways presented the ticket to the lucky winner Mr. Panos Panagis.
