Bahrain to hold trade and cultural gala
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By Hemu Gorde Bahrain Tribune 1 March, 2004 Manama souq will be abuzz with activities,
with trade and cultural promotions set for around 10 days as the Kingdom hosts the Gulf Grand Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix during April.
This was revealed to Khaleej Times by Jawad Al Hawaj, member of the executive committee and chairman of retail sales and traditional markets at the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).
The promotion, called 'Formula Manama Souq', is being organised by the BCCI in association with the Capital Governorate, he said.
"We are planning to hold this promotion around three to four days before and after the Formula 1 race, taking place here from April 2 to 4, so that the visitors can experience the traditional souq of Bahrain and with the bargain prices at hand, can purchase goods," said Mr Al Hawaj.
A joint committee comprising representatives from the BCCI and the Capital Governorate would prepare and implement the project, while supporting it with necessary funds. However, individual traders from the Souq would be welcome to have their own thematic decoration, he added.
As part of the promotion, there will be cultural activities as well, which will include the presentation of traditional songs and dances of Bahrain.
A joint committee, which would be formed shortly, would invite traders from the Souq area to get a feedback and discuss their ideas in relation to how to make the project a success, he said.
During the promotion period, "we also plan to hold a raffle draw, offering several prizes, possibly cars, for shoppers. But the finer details of the prizes will be finalised at a later stage", Mr Al Hawaj said.
He said that the Ministry of Commerce had been very supportive to the project and the Minister for Commerce, Ali Saleh Al Saleh, has expressed his keenness to implement the promotion.
He said the budget for the promotion was not finalised.
Mr Al Saleh hoped that around 100 traders from the Manama Souq would attend the meeting to discuss the project.
Bahrain expects more than 100,000 visitors from all over the world to watch the Middle East region's maiden Formula One Grand Prix, and "we want that the traditional Manama Souq becomes a centre of trade activities while also helping promote Bahrain's tourism industry with the Souq's distinct traditional feature," he said.
Speaking about the permanent Manama Souq Revival project, he said that Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Sulman Al Khalifa has been very keen on implementing the project.
The Manama Souq Revival project is also being given the precedence because the country's ambitious seaside $1 billion investment Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH), which is aimed at constructing high-end residential and commercial properties, has its sites very close to Bab Al Bahrain, he noted.
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