Anyone found manipulating Bahrain’s strategic stock of essential goods could face up to one year in jail, fines of up to BD10,000, closure of their business for five years, or even permanent licence revocation, under a draft law set to be debated in Parliament.
The tough penalties form part of a comprehensive legal framework regulating the kingdom’s strategic reserve of key commodities.
The draft law – originally submitted by the Shura Council – aims to ensure sufficient, sustainable and safe quantities of essential goods are available at all times, particularly during crises and exceptional circumstances.
Public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman MP Mohammed Al Bulooshi said the legislation represents ‘a decisive step towards institutionalising food and commodity security in Bahrain’.
“This law places strict obligations on suppliers and gives the minister concerned clear emergency powers,” he said. “It sends a strong message that tampering with the nation’s strategic stock or exploiting crises for profit will not be tolerated.”
Under the draft, the Industry and Commerce Ministry will co-ordinate with relevant authorities to secure strategic goods, while suppliers will be required to comply with storage, reporting and distribution requirements.
The minister will be empowered to intervene during crises, exceptional circumstances or situations of danger to safeguard supply chains.
Mr Al Bulooshi said the law complements Bahrain’s long-term planning efforts, including the National Food Security Strategy 2020-2030.
“We are not duplicating policy, we are strengthening it with binding legal force,” he said. “Strategy guides action, but legislation guarantees enforcement.”
The draft outlines a tiered system of criminal penalties:
l Violating supplier obligations under Article (3) carries imprisonment of up to one year and/or a fine of up to BD5,000.
l Violating Article (5), including collusion to refuse sale, purchase or supply in a way that harms strategic stock, carries imprisonment of no less than one year and fines ranging from BD1,000 to BD10,000.
Courts may order confiscation or destruction of goods, publication of the verdict in two local newspapers at the offender’s expense, and suspension of business activity for up to one year.
Repeat offenders could face business suspension for up to five years or permanent revocation of licence.
Legal entities are also held criminally liable, with fines equivalent to those imposed on natural persons, alongside potential suspension of corporate activity.
“These are not symbolic penalties,” Mr Al Bulooshi said. “They are substantial and proportionate to the seriousness of the offence. Food and commodity security is a national security matter.”
The minister may issue warnings – including electronically – requiring violations to be rectified within a specified timeframe. Failure to comply could result in closure of the establishment for between seven days and three months, or cancellation of the commercial registration. Re-registration would not be permitted for six months.
Decisions may be appealed to the minister within 15 days, with judicial review available within 60 days if the appeal is rejected.
During committee deliberations, government bodies and business associations argued that existing legislation and the National Food Security Strategy already achieve the draft’s objectives.
The Bahrain Chamber warned that additional laws could burden the private sector, while the government raised constitutional concerns about clarity in penal provisions.
However, Parliament’s legislative and legal affairs committee confirmed the draft is constitutionally sound.
Mr Al Bulooshi added that Bahrain had already achieved relative stability and self-sufficiency in key food commodities, but global disruptions in recent years demonstrated the need for stronger statutory safeguards.
“The world has seen how quickly supply chains can be disrupted,” he said. “This law ensures Bahrain is prepared – not reactive.”
If approved by MPs on Tuesday, the draft will be referred to the Shura Council for review.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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