MANAMA: Shaker Al Shatar, a former director of operations at Bahrain Stock Exchange, has been appointed new chief executive of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).

Mr Shatar will take charge on September 12, said a statement.

The statement quoted BCCI chairman Sameer Nass as saying that the board of directors chose Mr Shatar due to his experience and knowledge, while expressing the hope that the new CEO would contribute to further progress of the chamber and meet aspirations of members and the business community.

The decision was made during the board’s fifth meeting held on Sunday, chaired by Mr Nass, which saw a majority of members voting in favour of Mr Al Shater.

The board of directors has reassured the new CEO of support for all endeavours he would undertake for the progress and development of the chamber.

Thanking the board for the confidence bestowed upon him, Mr Al Shater vowed to exert all efforts to fulfil the chamber’s goals in line with Vision 2030.

Mr Shatar has an MBA from the University of Glamorgan, UK, and has held management and leadership positions in public and private sectors including the Capital Markets Unit at the Finance Ministry (Bahrain Stock Exchange at the time), Kuwait Finance House in Kuwait, MENA Real Estate Company in Kuwait as well as local and foreign banks in Bahrain.

Mr Shatar’s predecessor Dr Khalid Al Ruwaihi was sacked by the new board in April, a month after it was elected, stating violations were uncovered regarding his appointment.

Dr Al Ruwaihi himself had replaced former CEO Nabeel Al Mahmood in 2016, when Mr Al Mahmood was forced out of his post due to a vote of no confidence passed against him by the former board.