Members of the Estidamah (Sustainability) bloc held a high-level meeting with the business community yesterday at the historic Haji’s Cafe, pledging to transform the Manama Suq into a year-round “characterful and productive” marketplace.
The gathering, held in the heart of the old suq, served as a platform for candidates to engage directly with traders and outline their electoral programme ahead of the Bahrain Chamber elections.
The lineup features a blend of veteran business leaders and emerging talent, including Mohamed Alkoheji, Nawaf Alzayani, Yousuf Salahuddin, Sonya Janahi, Sawsan Abulhassan, Abeer Almoayyed, Ahmed Al Saloom, Jameel Al Ghanah, Professor Waheeb Al Khaja, Abdulwahab Al Hawaj, Mohammed Adel Fakhro, Shaker Al Helli, Rashad Zainal, Mohammed Diwani, Hassan Kaiksow, Khalid Juma, and Khalid Engineer.
The Estidamah bloc’s electoral programme is built on three strategic pillars: digitalisation, economic security, and regulatory reform. The bloc aims to drive the digital evolution of SMEs and expand e-commerce infrastructure while simultaneously strengthening food security and regional supply chain resilience.
Furthermore, the platform advocates for flexible regulatory frameworks to better manage operational costs and ensure local firms have improved access to government tenders.
Nabeel Kanoo, who leads the bloc, expressed confidence following the successful outreach. “We have met different business community members and everything went very well,” he said. “We are very excited and hope that everybody will be present during the elections on March 28 at Exhibition World Bahrain.”
Highlighting the strategic importance of the area, Mr Alzayani stressed the need for a sustainable revitalisation strategy that goes beyond seasonal events.
“We need to rethink its purpose and give it a new vitality,” Mr Alzayani added. “It shouldn’t be based on one occasion like Ramadan activities or Lulu nights. We have to think of a year-round promotion for this very vital market.”
He added that building business confidence and establishing a unique brand for the suq within the GCC would be a priority for the bloc.
Bloc member Ms Janahi thanked the suq’s merchant community for sharing their grievances, particularly those in the gold and food import sectors. “Our role today is to listen and understand because if we win, we have to literally run to ensure we support this community,” she said, noting the responsibility to convey these challenges to the public sector for resolution.
Mr Alkoheji also urged all stakeholders, from SMEs to large corporations, to participate in the upcoming Saturday polls. “The only way we can go forward and win is if the actual stakeholders participate,” he noted, adding that the future development of the Manama Suq remains a central pillar of their discussions.
Mr Salahuddin praised the bloc’s leadership and its blend of “experienced professionals and energetic young talent.” He noted that Estidamah represents a wide range of sectors, ensuring that the voices of small, medium, and micro enterprises are heard by both the Chamber and the government.
Among the merchants who participated in the meeting was Abdulkareem Al Fulaij, owner of Marsim, who noted that the shop has been a cornerstone of the Manama Suq since 1960.
“While we remain the largest ready-made garment retailer in the area, the current business environment presents significant hurdles. We are seeing a sharp decline in daily sales, and there is a pressing need for more proactive engagement from the relevant economic authorities and the Chamber to understand these grassroots challenges,” he added.
According to Mr Al Fulaij, a primary concern is the unlevel playing field created by global e-commerce giants. Local merchants, who bear the costs of rent, electricity, and LMRA fees, struggle to compete with international platforms that operate without similar overheads or import duties.
“I have proposed implementing a protective tariff on these imports – similar to international models – to help balance the costs we face as local employers. Furthermore, we must protect the traditional commercial identity of the Old Suq to ensure it remains a destination for diverse investment. We appreciate this opportunity to share our voice and look forward to seeing the Chamber take a more decisive, consultative role in advocating for the sustainability of Bahrain’s merchant community,” said Mr Al Fulaij.
The Bahrain Chamber, established in 1939, is one of the oldest economic institutions in the region. The elections are scheduled to take place on Saturday.
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