The Premier yesterday called for contingency plans to respond to emergencies and limit their economic fallout – particularly food security, speedy flow of goods and price control, the GDN reported today.

He instructed the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry to co-operate with the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and study the plight of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which have been affected by precautionary measures to combat Covid-19.

His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa said SMEs and self-employed individuals must benefit from stimulus packages and relaxed procedures.

He made the pledge as he received BCCI chairman Sameer Abdulla Nass and his deputies to discuss efforts to revitalise the economy and trade sectors amid the current Covid-19 crisis.

He stressed the importance of the government’s stimulus package which aims to support citizens and enable the trade and economic sectors to continue their activities.

He pledged the government’s unwavering support to the trade and industrial sectors so that they continue to spur economic growth while overcoming the current situation and returning to normalcy.

He stressed the importance of stepping up efforts to confront the pandemic.

“The government gives priority to protecting citizens and residents’ health and supporting economic sectors, particularly small traders,” he said, urging more co-operation to enable the trade sector to continue its activity and boost the growth momentum.

“Bahrain will overcome this crisis and emerge stronger than ever and reap the fruit of investing in human resources,” he said, paying tribute to citizens for their patriotism and devotion.

He urged the chamber to provide all food products in the market and monitor prices, with Ramadan fast approaching.

He called upon trade and industrial communities to comply with precautionary measures and protect expatriate labourers.

The Premier hailed the chamber’s patriotic role in supporting Bahrain to withstand all challenges, being a fully fledged partner of the government and key pillar of development.

He commended the long-standing role of the chamber, down the generations, which contributed to boosting the development process.

The BCCI chief reiterated support to the government’s precautionary measures to combat Covid-19, pledging to continue monitoring the impact on traders and businessmen and tackle the situation of expatriate labourers.