56 November 2016 www.bahrainthismonth.com britaininbahrain LIZ O’REILLY Khalid Al Zayani, OBE, chairman of the Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF), says there is much the Kingdom can still learn from its British friends. Recognising a Unique Relationship The BBBF has had major involvement in organising the numerous events across the island throughout 2016 to mark the official 200th anniversary of BahrainiBritish diplomatic relations, but Mr Al Zayani says the special relationship is even older than that. “We’re delighted to be celebrating the official ties but the relationship between Britain and Bahrain goes back even further, to the days of the British East India Company [which had a residency in the Gulf from around 1763]. Not many countries in this part of the world, or anywhere else for that matter, can celebrate an occasion of such importance,” he says. The anniversary has been an opportunity for those companies importing British goods to raise awareness of their products and businesses. But, says Mr Al Zayani, it’s also a time to highlight those Bahraini companies that are enjoying strong trade with the UK. “Organisations such as Alba and GPIC are the ones that immediately come to mind,” he says. “But there are also less visible operations such as Midal Cables which is currently refitting the whole national grid across the UK with high-tech cables. There is a lot of activity and hopefully this will continue to grow.” Looking to the future Mr Al Zayani says young Bahrainis who study in the UK will return as ambassadors in their own country. He hopes they will become part of the business community and wants to see the BBBF continue to grow, particularly with the special interest groups it has created, to serve the difference sectors of industry and commerce. Paying tribute to the bond between the two nations, he says: “The UK has been a good friend to Bahrain. As His Royal Highness Shaikh Salman the Crown Prince said at the IISS Conference, the UK is the only country that stood by Bahrain during the difficult times in 2011, and that makes the relationship stronger. “Their support of the government in training the judiciary and the police and their experience in handling relationships between the sectors of Bahrain society, through their experience in Northern Ireland, has been very useful. “We can still learn a lot from the UK – governance, education, human rights, you name it, the UK has a long history. The UK started the whole thing with the Magna Carta and the whole world has learned lessons. “The personal relationship between the two royal families is unique and has existed for many years. I have just finished writing a book about the anniversary, which documents in notes and pictures the relationship between the two countries. It is ready for printing and I will present it to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen. That has been a personal highlight of the year for me. “The highlight in terms of the BBBF has been the excitement among the membership and seeing the companies doing their own thing – each and every one has created their own celebration.” Khalid Al Zayani
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