Latest news with #Fakhro
Daily Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Victory for buyers : Consumers reclaim BD290,000 over past two years through complaints system
TDT | Manama The Ministry of Industry and Commerce recovered BD290,000 for consumers over the past two years, while arranging replacements worth BD75,000, according to a written reply from Minister His Excellency Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro to MP Dr Muneer Seroor. The figures cover 2023 and 2024, during which the ministry's Consumer Protection Directorate received 7,868 complaints in the first year and 7,153 in the second. A further 1,302 complaints were registered between January and March this year. Most cases concerned faulty electrical goods and vehicle-related issues. Fakhro noted that complaints fell by roughly 9 per cent in 2024. Goods and services That year, more than BD120,000 was recovered for consumers, while goods and services worth over BD45,000 were replaced. In 2023, the recovered amount exceeded BD170,000, with replacements totalling more than BD30,000. By law, the ministry has up to 60 working days to examine a complaint. However, the directorate typically contacts both the complainant and the business within three days to assess the issue and determine the next step. Working days Resolution times vary. Most complaints are dealt with within 15 working days. Around 42 per cent are completed within one week 19 per cent within eight to fifteen days 15 per cent within sixteen to thirty days 12 per cent are resolved on the same day they are received The directorate may also refer cases to the courts when necessary. In both 2023 and 2024, 212 complaints were handed to the Public Prosecution. In 2023, six shops were shut down by administrative order. Arrangements To reduce delays, the ministry signed service level agreements with eight commercial entities that frequently attract complaints. These arrangements led to a 35 per cent reduction in average handling times for those firms. As for cases that take longer, Fakhro said the directorate follows a graduated process. Staff first attempt to broker a settlement between the parties. Failing that, the matter proceeds through formal steps: an initial letter, a notice, a final warning, and then a binding decision. If the business fails to comply, the case is referred to prosecutors.
Daily Tribune
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
MOIC Wins Service Honour
TDT| Manama The Ministry of Industry and Commerce was recognised yesterday for its high-performing Metal Testing Center, which earned a prestigious Golden Shield under the government's flagship service evaluation initiative, 'Taqyeem 5'. The shield was presented by Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Duaij Al Khalifa, Director General of the Institute of Public Administration and Vice Chair of the Government Service Centers Evaluation Committee, in the presence of His Excellency Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce. The Metal Testing Center achieved Gold Category status in the latest round of the 'Taqyeem' programme, which benchmarks public service quality across the Kingdom. The award highlights the centre's progress in raising standards of customer service and operational efficiency. H.E. Fakhro attributed the achievement to the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, stating that such backing has been a key driver of systemic improvement across government entities. He also commended the team at the Metal Testing Center for their commitment to innovation and service delivery, calling the unit a 'distinguished model' of government performance. 'This achievement reflects our dedication to performance development and digital upgrading of services,' H.E. Fakhro said, adding that it aligns with the broader goals of public satisfaction and responsiveness.
Daily Tribune
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Industry Minister participates in Make it the Emirates Forum 2025
Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, participated as a keynote speaker in the fourth edition of the 'Make in the Emirates 2025' forum , organized by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates, from 19 to 22 May, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). During his participation in the dialogue session held under the title 'Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development', the Minister elaborated on a set of paths Bahrain took to support smart manufacturing and enhance local content. Fakhro, met Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry, where they discussed a number of issues of common interest.
Bahrain News Gazette
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Bahrain News Gazette
Bahrain's Delegation Advocates for Women's Role in Peacebuilding at Tashkent Forum
Tashkent: Bahrain's parliamentary delegation, led by Jamal Mohammed Fakhro, First Deputy Chairman of the Shura Council, participated in the Forum of Women Parliamentarians held alongside the 150th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Tashkent. The forum focused on a draft resolution regarding the two-state solution in Palestine from a gender perspective. According to Bahrain News Agency, the delegation called for increased support for initiatives empowering women to lead in diplomacy, non-governmental organizations, education, human rights, and economic development. The delegation stressed the importance of establishing laws that ensure women's rights and enhancing their role in peacebuilding efforts. Fakhro highlighted the necessity of involving women in negotiations and reconstruction activities to achieve peace. The delegation also comprised Hala Ramzi Fayez, a member of the Shura Council and the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians; Dalal Jassim Al Zayed, member of the Shura Council; M P Maryam Saleh Al Dhaen, and MP Dr. Mahdi Al Showaikh. The forum marked its 40th anniversary and elected the President of the 39th session of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians. Participants reviewed recent initiatives and discussions aimed at promoting gender equality across IPU platforms.
Zawya
05-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Bahrain: Steps ‘taken to address rising construction costs'
Bahrain - Urgent measures to address the ongoing shortage and rising costs of construction materials, which have been impacting housing and infrastructure projects across the country, have been taken by the government, it was revealed yesterday. Industry and Commerce Minister Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro said during a parliamentary debate on the unavailability and rising costs of building materials that the government has collaborated with private sector entities, including Asry to temporarily use their ports for importing essential building materials. 'In the past two weeks alone, we have successfully imported more than 100,000 tonnes of construction materials,' Mr Fakhro stated during yesterday's weekly session. 'This has already started to stabilise prices, and we expect further improvements in the coming months.' Mr Fakhro pointed out that Bahrain remains committed to creating a business-friendly environment that encourages private sector investment in the sector. He highlighted that several companies have already begun investing in new infrastructure to support long-term supply stability. Mr Fakhro also pointed to a significant development from the recent Bahrain-Saudi Investment Forum in Dhahran, where a joint Saudi-Bahraini committee was formed to explore the feasibility of establishing a binational construction materials company. 'This initiative aims to strengthen economic security and ensure a steady supply of essential materials for future projects,' said Mr Fakhro. Meanwhile, Housing and Urban Planning Minister Amna Al Romaihi reassured MPs that the government remained committed to shielding citizens from the financial impact. 'Any increase in material costs will not affect the prices of housing services provided to citizens,' she affirmed. Ms Al Romaihi explained that all housing projects are progressing on schedule and within allocated budgets, thanks to pre-arranged contracts with contractors. 'These contracts include provisions that account for fluctuations in material prices, ensuring that the government, rather than citizens, absorbs any additional costs,' she added. 'Monthly deductions for beneficiaries remain fixed at a quarter of their salary, unchanged despite economic challenges and rising construction costs.' The minister also outlined that Bahrain's housing finance programmes were reviewed regularly to accommodate market changes. 'The most recent revision in 2022 resulted in the introduction of new financial assistance schemes and increased loan limits to better support Bahraini families,' she said. She further clarified that public-private partnership agreements with real estate developers lock in sale prices from the outset, preventing any mid-project price increases due to fluctuating construction costs. 'Our goal is to ensure that no citizen is left behind,' said Ms Al Romaihi. 'We are committed to delivering housing projects as planned, without shifting financial burdens onto beneficiaries.' Despite these reassurances, Parliament's foreign affairs, defence and national security committee vice-chairman MP Hassan Ibrahim, who spearheaded the parliamentary debate alongside nine other colleagues, urged the government to take a more comprehensive, long-term approach. 'The housing dream is slipping away for many Bahrainis,' he claimed. 'While recent imports have provided short-term relief, we need a clear and sustainable strategy to prevent future shortages.' MPs warned that the upcoming closure of Bahrain's national stone quarry later this year could further strain supply chains, potentially driving prices even higher. 'As Bahrain pushes forward with major housing and infrastructure projects, all eyes are on whether these new government initiatives will be enough to ensure long-term affordability and stability in the construction sector,' he said. MP Jalal Kadhem Al Mahfoodh advocated for establishing a strong domestic manufacturing base, which would not only enhance self-sufficiency but also save the government substantial costs currently spent on importing these materials. He suggested the creation of state-owned construction companies under sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat that could be directly responsible for executing major infrastructure and development projects. 'Self-sufficiency is the only real safeguard against the risk of material shortages,' he added. The following recommendations were unanimously approved during the session: n Secure long-term import agreements to stabilise prices. n Invest in local production of key materials to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. n Ensure that Bahrain's expansion plans remain viable despite supply chain disruptions. As reported earlier in the GDN, construction costs in key GCC markets are likely to rise with a two to five per cent jump expected in the UAE costs and 5pc to 7pc in that of Saudi Arabia this year, according to a report by Currie & Brown, a world-leading provider of cost management, project management and advisory services. This is mainly due to rising demand that will add pressure to the limited availability of skilled labour and key materials, it stated in its report 'Building a resilient future: Adapting to uncertainty in 2025.' The industry still faces geopolitical and economic uncertainty, which will continue to disrupt supply chains and increase prices, it stated. mohammed@
