Industry minister pays tribute to expatriates

Industry and Commerce Minister Dr. Hassan Abdulla Fakhro attended a party hosted by the Bahrain Federation Expatriate Associations (BFEA). Expatriates turned up in big numbers to attend the event and express their love and belonging to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Addressing the event, Dr. Dr Fakhro expressed his delight at taking part in the event which brought together expatriates hailing from different religious and social backgrounds, lauding their dedication in serving Bahrain. "Bahrain owes a lot to expatriates – men and women alike – who came to work and played a crucial role in building Bahrain’s infrastructure, enterprises and companies", he said. He hailed their contribution in setting up a large number of small and medium businesses which are now playing a big role in spurring Bahrain’s Gross Domestic Product. Dr. Fakhro said that expatriates make up nowadays over half the population of Bahrain, which, he said, reflects citizens’ mettle and hospitality and shows the fundamental role of foreigners in spearheading Bahrain’s development. "Bahrain is proud of embracing large numbers of expatriates who consider this cosmopolitan country as their own", he said, describing the Kingdom as a country for all residents. "Expatriates represent a major component of the population, a substantial segment in the social tissue and a vital workforce", he said. He urged all parties to exert efforts to defuse animosities fuelled by a minority of people strayed from the right path, lost reason and turned its back to the country’s landmark achievements. "These people have failed to grasp the significance of the efforts led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa to bring back the country to the same long-standing spirit of closely-knit family", Dr Fakhro said. He urged expatriates to continue voicing their anger and outrage at the Western mass media and spare no efforts in promoting their businesses in Bahrain without caving in to terror, intimidation or sabotage. He also called on expatriates to play an instrumental role in projects the reality in Bahrain’s streets to foreign media and governments, describing what’s happening as alien to the Kingdom and its peace-loving people. "The national economy will continue to grow steadily and the Government is upbeat, confident that the national 2030 Economic Vision will succeed", he said.