Bahrain Chamber chairman Sameer Nass has announced he will not run in the 2026 elections, citing Chamber Law No (48) of 2012, which limits the chairmanship to two terms.
He stressed that his priority throughout was “protecting the chamber’s independence” above anything else.
In an exclusive interview with Akhbar Al Khaleej, Mr Nass reviewed the outcomes of his eight-year tenure amid the challenges of the Fiscal Balance Programme, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the repercussions of the Russia-Ukraine war.
He said 72 economic studies and reports that were issued by BCCI helped secure key measures, including postponing commercial registration fees, suspending labour market fee increases for two years, cancelling the flexible visa scheme, and amending certificate of origin requirements in a way that protects national exports to Saudi Arabia.
He added that the board streamlined institutional work by reducing the number of committees from 25 to 10 based on performance indicators and expanding participation for women and small and medium-sized enterprises.
He said that sensitive issues were addressed “quietly” in co-operation with the government and Parliament.
Mr Nass warned of upcoming challenges such as tax pressures, rising energy costs, and labour market fees, calling on the next board to work by consensus and prioritise the public interest.
&uuid=(email))