Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MANAMA857
2005-06-15 13:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:
BAHRAIN'S BUSINESS CHAMBER LAUNCHES LOBBYING
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 151344Z Jun 05
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000857
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2015
TAGS: ECON PGOV KDEM BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN'S BUSINESS CHAMBER LAUNCHES LOBBYING
EFFORTS
REF: MANAMA 584
Classified By: A/DCM Hallie Hahn for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000857
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2015
TAGS: ECON PGOV KDEM BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN'S BUSINESS CHAMBER LAUNCHES LOBBYING
EFFORTS
REF: MANAMA 584
Classified By: A/DCM Hallie Hahn for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (SBU) The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI)
is moving ahead with its plan to form a political lobby in
the Kingdom. BCCI members are holding a series of meetings
with members of parliament to strengthen ties and advocate an
agenda that supports economic reforms. The press reported
June 12 that the BCCI has created a workplan to ensure that
candidates with "sound" economic policies are successful in
the 2006 parliamentary elections. MP Jehad BuKamal, chair of
the Council of Representatives' (COR) Finance and Economy
Committee, stated publicly that BCCI involvement in the
political process is welcome, though he noted that BCCI (or
any other organization's) direct funding of candidates is
unconstitutional.
2. (C) The BCCI's first meeting was with the COR's
Independent (pro-government) bloc led by MP Ahmed Behzad.
Behzad told PolOff that the discussion focused on the Crown
Prince's labor reform draft law, which is currently before
parliament. The BCCI feels that the law, which requires
companies to pay fees for expatriate workers, places too much
of a burden on the private sector. Behzad said his bloc and
the BCCI agreed to meet regularly to discuss economic issues.
3. (C) Comment: The BCCI has reminded EmbOffs every chance
it gets of its opposition to the Crown Prince's proposed
labor reform program, most recently during a meeting with the
board of the newly accredited AmCham. The BCCI has had to
scale back its original plan to directly finance the
campaigns of business-friendly candidates, and now seeks to
play the role of a lobby that can also serve as a platform
for the views of candidates with whom it agrees (reftel).
The BCCI's move onto the political stage represents another
step in the maturation of Bahrain's young democracy.
MONROE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2015
TAGS: ECON PGOV KDEM BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN'S BUSINESS CHAMBER LAUNCHES LOBBYING
EFFORTS
REF: MANAMA 584
Classified By: A/DCM Hallie Hahn for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (SBU) The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI)
is moving ahead with its plan to form a political lobby in
the Kingdom. BCCI members are holding a series of meetings
with members of parliament to strengthen ties and advocate an
agenda that supports economic reforms. The press reported
June 12 that the BCCI has created a workplan to ensure that
candidates with "sound" economic policies are successful in
the 2006 parliamentary elections. MP Jehad BuKamal, chair of
the Council of Representatives' (COR) Finance and Economy
Committee, stated publicly that BCCI involvement in the
political process is welcome, though he noted that BCCI (or
any other organization's) direct funding of candidates is
unconstitutional.
2. (C) The BCCI's first meeting was with the COR's
Independent (pro-government) bloc led by MP Ahmed Behzad.
Behzad told PolOff that the discussion focused on the Crown
Prince's labor reform draft law, which is currently before
parliament. The BCCI feels that the law, which requires
companies to pay fees for expatriate workers, places too much
of a burden on the private sector. Behzad said his bloc and
the BCCI agreed to meet regularly to discuss economic issues.
3. (C) Comment: The BCCI has reminded EmbOffs every chance
it gets of its opposition to the Crown Prince's proposed
labor reform program, most recently during a meeting with the
board of the newly accredited AmCham. The BCCI has had to
scale back its original plan to directly finance the
campaigns of business-friendly candidates, and now seeks to
play the role of a lobby that can also serve as a platform
for the views of candidates with whom it agrees (reftel).
The BCCI's move onto the political stage represents another
step in the maturation of Bahrain's young democracy.
MONROE