I. Headlines:
· HM King Hamad makes telephone talks with a number of GCC Leaders.
· Bahrain stresses support and solidarity with the sisterly UAE.
· GOP see stricken ship's evaluation on track.
· Alba eyes $250m a year sustainable savings.
II. Political:
HM King Hamad makes telephone talks with a number of GCC Leaders.
HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa held telephone talks yesterday with the Saudi Monarch King Abdulla bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Kuwaiti Amir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, Qatari Amir Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, UAE Vice-President, Premier and Dubai Ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and exchanged with them sincere congratulations marking the advent of the Holy month of Ramadan, wishing Arab and Islamic nations happy returns.
Bahrain stresses support and solidarity with the sisterly UAE.
The Kingdom of Bahrain has reiterated its support and solidarity with the United Arab Emirates, underlining its full support to all measures taken to maintain its security and stability and work against leadership and national unity. The kingdom stressed strong bonds and joint destiny among all the GCC countries, adding that security and stability of the GCC member states is integral.
III. Economic, Trade, Business:
GOP see stricken ship's evaluation on track.
Maritime experts from Bahrain General Organisation of Sea Ports (GOP) are liaising with the Arab Ship Building and Repair Yard Company (Asry), which is overseeing the operation to determine the salvage process of damaged Liberian ship Stolt Valor with its owners. Technical findings following the evaluation of the tanker’s condition are expected by the end of the week. The chemical tanker, which caught fire on March 15, in the north of Bahrain, has been docked at Asry after Bahrain agreed to accept the ship into its territorial waters. GOP's focus on safety at sea and protection of the marine environment comes first and foremost in approving the vessel's exit plan, as drafted by the owners and their insurer (P&I).
Alba eyes $250m a year sustainable savings.
Alba’s Chief Executive, Mr. Laurent Schmitt, Chief Finance and Supply Officer, Mr. Tim Murray and Chief Operating Officer, Mr.Isa Al-Ansari met a new batch of Six Sigma Green Belt trained candidates who will be responsible for implementing eight approved projects that will pave the way into accomplishing Lean-Six Sigma Wave 7’s overall goals. The eight selected projects are expected to bring about an estimated savings of more than $10 million and their implementation target will be end December 2012.
IV. Social, Culture, Tourism, Environment:
Public Security Chief patronizes MOI-Tamkeen’s 2012 Summer Camp.
Major-General Taraq Al Hassan, Public Security Chief, patronized yesterday the graduation ceremony for the participants in the Royal Police Academy summer camp which is co-organized by the Ministry of Interior and Tamkeen (Labor fund), in line with the directives of the Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The camp’s Commander Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Al Khayat gave a speech in which he extended thanks and gratitude to HRH the Crown Prince for launching the project which aims to take care of the youth and hone their skills. He also thanked Minister of Interior Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and the Public Security Chief for their efforts and keen interest to ensure success of the project in achieving its set up goals.
18 VIVA footballers return home from UK.
The top 18 aspiring players of the VIVA Manchester United Soccer School program completed their week-long football experience in the UK at Myerscough Residential College camp and returned to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Five VIVA players, Rawabi Al Qahtani, Yusuf Murad, Ammar Ramadhan, Abdulla AlThawadi and Yusuf AlRahma were awarded with highly respected Manchester United Soccer School pin badges on the basis of their code of conduct and performance on the field during the week. While Rawabi AlQahtani received the award for her hard work and teamwork, Yusuf Murad for demonstrating positive attitude and enthusiasm on the pitch, and Abdulla Al Thawadi for his team playing skills and Ammar Ramadhan and Yusuf AlRahma were awarded for their general good performance.
V. Other News:
Bangladeshi diplomats to conduct safety checks to their nationals in Bahrain.
Bangladeshi diplomats have launched their own labour accommodation inspections in Bahrain after 10 of their citizens were killed in a fire in May 2012 (Riffa Incident). They are not only monitoring living conditions, but also campaigning for Bangladeshi workers to live here legally and obtain valid visas. Details of the initiative were revealed by Bangladesh Embassy first secretary Muhammad Ibrahim. Mr. Ibrahim said that the embassy was encouraging employers to seek its approval for labour accommodation where Bangladeshis are housed and he added the embassy was already visiting known camps to inspect the conditions of citizens there.
VI. Photo of the Day:
Minister of Industry and Commerce, Dr. Hassan Fakhro presiding over the 16th Main Joint Economic Committee between the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry in presence of BCCI Chairman Dr. Essam Fakhro and senior officials from both sides. The committe reviewed the status of the Export Development Center in the Kingdom. 17th June 2012 Al-Wasat.
Issued by:
Embassy of Malaysia,
MANAMA
18th July 2012