HRH Premier: GCC countries our strategic depth

Manama, June 23 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has called for concerted efforts to spur the national economy through taking advantage of the government’s trade openness policy, and keenness to consolidate economic diversity and strengthen the role of the private sector. He stressed the importance of increasing productivity, upgrading performance and avoiding laziness in order to stimulate the economy. HRH the Prime Minister asserted that the government listens to the opinions of businessmen and traders through the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), whose role in the trade and economic affairs he praised. Meanwhile, HRH Premier commended the role played by the national Press in the kingdom’s economic development and trade affairs, urging full cooperation and complementarity between the trade sector and the Press, given the positive impacts of that cooperation on the economic march, he said. HRH Premier pointed out that the government is keen to encourage investments and business activities to strengthen the kingdom’s economic competitive potentials, calling for the need, in this regard, to avail of Bahrain’s strong ties with other countries, particularly Russia, China and East Asian states. HRH Premier made the statements as he received at the Gudaibiya Palace today scores of citizens, including businessmen, intellectuals, Press and media figures and artists. The audience extended to HRH Premier sincere congratulations on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, and prayed Allah Almighty to protect him and guide him on the right path for the interests of Bahrain and its people. HRH Premier lauded the role and dedication of Bahraini artists, and took pride in their participation in GCC or Arab artistic works, stressing that their nation should be the first to benefit from their creativity and works. He urged the official media bodies to give the largest share to Bahraini artists within their plans and programmes. "Let all artists be confident that we appreciate their giving and contributions, and look forward to their works, and effective artistic participation in local and foreign TV channels and stations," he said, stressing that artistic works should reflect the situation objectively, and without exaggeration so as not to project a negative and unreal impression about the Bahraini society. On regional and global issues, HRH Premier pointed out that countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) already have enough requirements and guarantors to set up the most successful union in the world. He reiterated full support to any tendency to establish the Gulf Union, stressing that the common foundations on which GCC relations are based do not exist in other blocs and entities, and therefore, their union will certainly be successful. "Countries should be supported by their neighbours. Bahrain has the best neighbour, which is Saudi Arabia, and other GCC countries. They are our supporters and strategic depth," he said. HRH the Prime Minister emphasised that the challenges facing the region and posing a serious threat to its security and stability require a unified Arab vision and a decisive and firm stance by Arab leaders. "This will protect our countries from the looming threats, prevent the depletion of their resources and potentials and foil efforts to impose a reality that subverts their security and stability," he said.