THE Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, yesterday called for concerted efforts to meet the water needs of the Middle East, writes Mehmood Rafique. “Water is a basic need and making it available to everyone in the region is a big challenge. We have to take steps to face such a challenge and find solutions,” Shaikh Khalifa said, following the inauguration of the three-day second Water Middle East Conference and Exhibition, which coincides with the third Power-Gen Middle East 2004 and the Iraq Reconstruction Conference, at the Bahrain Convention and Exhibition Bureau.
The Premier said: “Highly specialised companies and exhibitors are taking part in the three-day events providing a rare opportunity for experts and investors to share expertise and take important decisions on vital issues like reconstruction of Iraq, power generation and how to cope with the water situation in the Middle East.” This also was a clear proof of the Kingdom’s elevated status as a regional hub of conferences and exhibitions, he said.

In his welcome address, the Minister of Commerce, Ali Saleh Al Saleh, said that the Prime Minister’s patronage of the events affirmed the government’s commitment and vision to develop Bahrain as a centre for conferences and exhibitions in the Middle East.
“The Premier’s support and Bahrain’s geo-strategic position will help establish the Kingdom as a regional conference and exhibitions hub. Being a traditional trade hub in the region, the Kingdom offers easy access to the Arab, Middle East and West Asian markets,” he said.
The Minister of Electricity and Water, Shaikh Abdullah bin Salman Al Khalifa, said that the Kingdom would remain committed to ensuring the provision of electricity and water across the country. “The government has been taking all-possible steps to enhance water and power resources in line with the developments in others sectors, including real estate, infrastructure and information technology. The ministry is ahead of its plans to ensure the basic needs of the growing population and it would not have been possible for the ministry to chalk out a comprehensive plan in the absence of the Premier’s support.”
The Iraqi Minister of Electricity, Dr Eham Samaraei, stressed the importance of relations between Bahrain and Iraq and said the Iraqi people and the government would remain indebted to the leadership and the people of Bahrain for their support in the hour of need.
“We are in Bahrain to share views and seek help from the international community, especially the Gulf and Arab brothers, in our efforts to build our infrastructure from scratch,” Dr Samaraei said, adding that Iraq’s participation in the conference was part of the government policy to forge alliances with the global community. “We want to see a stable and secure Iraq with the help of our friends as without security, you will not be able to attract investments and progress,” he said.
“We want to see a strong, united and democratic Iraq to ensure a better future for coming generations and bring about prosperity in the region,” he said.
The Assistant Undersecretary for Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Commerce, Shaikh Duaij bin Salman Al Khalifa, said that Bahrain had helped establish its position as a regional hub of conferences and exhibitions. “The Prime Minister’s keenness and support has helped the Kingdom achieve this and today we have hundreds of exhibitors and experts taking part in three events being held simultaneously,” he said.



photo: The Prime Minister going around the Power-Gen exhibition yesterday.
Last update on: 14-9-2004