In a definitive move that signals a new chapter for the kingdom’s commercial landscape, the Estidamah Bloc has officially unveiled its comprehensive electoral programme for the upcoming Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) 2026 elections.
Running under the banner of ‘Responsibility & Commitment,’ the 18-member coalition – led by prominent businessman Nabeel Kanoo – has laid out a meticulously detailed roadmap designed to transition the Chamber from a traditional representative body into a proactive architect of national economic policy.
The launch, held at the historic Kanoo Majlis yesterday, was more than a mere campaign event; it served as a policy summit where the bloc’s leadership dissected the challenges facing Bahrain’s private sector and offered a structured, institutionalised response.
A mandate for stability and institutionalism
The core philosophy of the Estidamah (Sustainability) Bloc is rooted in the belief that individual efforts, however noble, are no longer sufficient to navigate the volatility of the 2026 global economic climate.
Mr Kanoo, head of the bloc, delivered a poignant opening address, stressing that the integration of the bloc’s diverse expertise is the “solid foundation” upon which the next phase of the Chamber’s leadership must be built.
“We are not here to reinvent the wheel, but to ensure it turns with greater efficiency and transparency,” Mr Kanoo told a packed room of media representatives and business leaders.
“Our programme was developed following months of intensive consultations. We didn’t just talk to the established titans of industry; we sat down with start-up founders, small traders, and young entrepreneurs to shape a vision that is not just ambitious, but practical and implementable.”
The bloc’s primary focus is the strengthening of institutional governance. By proposing a more rigorous framework for the Chamber’s internal operations, the Estidamah Bloc aims to reinforce the Chamber’s role as a primary partner in legislation.
This includes a revamped approach to the board of directors’ interaction with sectoral committees, ensuring that recommendations from the “front lines” of the economy are translated into actionable policy proposals for the government and the Shura Council.
The SME engine
Perhaps the most detailed portion of the Estidamah agenda involves the empowerment of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). While often cited as the backbone of the economy, the bloc argues that MSMEs have historically lacked the specialised infrastructure needed to scale globally.
Mohammed Al Kooheji, the current second vice-chairman of the Chamber and a key member of the bloc, highlighted that supporting start-ups is at the absolute forefront of their priorities.
“The survival of our economy depends on the resilience of our smaller players,” Mr Al Kooheji added.
The bloc’s agenda for MSMEs includes:
The Export Excellence Initiative: Providing specialised training and logistics support to help local producers reach international markets.
A Specialised Consultation Hub: Offering free legal and financial advisory services within the Chamber to help small businesses navigate complex regulatory frameworks.
Digital Transformation Integration: Facilitating affordable access to e-commerce tools and digital marketing training to ensure traditional traders are not left behind in the post-2025 digital shift.
Legislative partnerships and market confidence
A standout feature of the Estidamah programme is its commitment to legislative reform. The bloc has pledged to work closely with the executive and legislative branches to enhance market confidence through the more robust implementation of the Bankruptcy and Reorganisation Law.
By advocating for a legal environment that supports ‘second chances’ for entrepreneurs and provides clear exits for failing ventures, the bloc aims to foster a culture of calculated risk-taking.
Furthermore, the agenda calls for a formal mechanism through which the Chamber’s opinion is sought – by mandate – prior to the endorsement of any new commercial or industrial law.
Aligning with Bahrain Economic Vision 2050
With the kingdom currently mapping out the successor to its 2030 strategy, the Estidamah Bloc has positioned itself as the private sector’s voice in shaping Bahrain Economic Vision 2050.
The bloc argues that the private sector must lead, rather than follow, the national development agenda. “We need to ensure that the long-term strategies of the kingdom are perfectly aligned with the real-world aspirations of the market,” Mr Al Kooheji added.
This includes a focus on sustainability – not just as an environmental buzzword, but as an economic standard that ensures long-term resilience against global shocks.
The diversity of the ‘Estidamah 18’
The strength of the bloc lies in its composition. The list of 18 candidates is a strategic blend of heritage and innovation.
It includes representatives from some of Bahrain’s oldest business families alongside tech savvy young leaders and female entrepreneurs who have broken glass ceilings in the logistics and finance sectors.
In addition to Mr Kanoo and Mr Al Kooheji, the bloc members are Yousuf Salahuddin Ebrahim, Nawaf Khalid Al Zayani, Shaker Merza Al Heli, Abdulwahab Yusuf Al Hawaj, Jameel Yusuf Al Ghanna, Dr Waheeb Ahmed Al Khaja, Rashad Ebrahim Zainal, Abeer Tareq AlMoayed, Sawsan Abulhassan Mohamed, Sonya Mohamed Janahi, Khalid Abdulrahman Juma, Hasan Bader Kaiksow, Mohamed Adel Fakhro, Ahmed Sabah AlSalloom, Mohamed Nader Dawani and Khalid Ali Abdulrahman.
Mr Kanoo
A call for electoral awareness
The meeting concluded with a direct appeal to the business community.
Mr Kanoo emphasised that the independence and strength of the Chamber are directly proportional to the participation of its members. “Broad electoral participation is not just a right; it is a guarantee of the Chamber’s independence.”
He concluded: “If we want a board that is capable of representing the private sector with responsibility and efficiency, we need every business owner – from the smallest boutique to the largest industrial plant – to cast their vote.”
The bloc announced that over the coming weeks, it will host a series of ‘Sectoral Majlises’ to hear directly from traders in the food, construction, and technology sectors, further refining their solutions based on real-time feedback.
avinash@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))