HRH Crown Prince receives Former Malaysian Premier
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Economic Development Board chairman today highlighted the importance of the Islamic economic experience.
“Islamic banks represent an experience that deserves all appreciation and support, being a facet of the global economy”, he said. He was speaking as he received at Riffa Palace former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the accompanying delegation. He hailed the Malaysian success story, lauding Dr Mohamad’s role in promoting the culture of Islamic economics in the world and ensuring greater opportunities for the sector to succeed and thrive.
He also described Dr Mohamad as founder of a culture that contributed to promoting the idea of the Islamic economy and ensuring its success. “There are many positive themes embraced by Islam, which promotes the cooperative spirit, encourages productivity, and deepens the meaning of self-reliance””, He said. He also highlighted several key issues considered as the cornerstone of Bahrain’s economic plan, stressing the drive of the national enterprises to implement them and ensure their maturity. HRH the Crown Prince highlighted the plight of Bahrain’s national carrier, Gulf Air, spotlighting challenges and ambitions.
Dr Mohamad’s landmark experience, which placed Malaysia on the global economic map, also came under the spotlight. The two leaders discussed issues relating to continuous growth momentum in Bahrain.The development of the banking sector and the opening of wider horizons for the sectors of insurance and telecommunications to thrive. They also reviewed the economic situation in the region and ways to overcome the fallout from the current global financial crisis.
HRH the Crown Prince outlined Bahrain’s 2030 Economic Vision, which was launched by His Majesty King Hamad in October 2008, describing the ambitious blueprint as a catalyst promoting economic momentum towards meeting citizens’ aspirations and interests. The two leaders exchanged views on the strategic economic vision and ways to implement the blueprint.The charismatic Malaysian leader praised Bahrain 2030 Economic Vision.
HRH Prince Salman outlined the serious steps undertaken by the government, in cooperation with the EDB, to streamline procedures for investments, protect the investors’ rights and ease up the flow of capitals, describing education and vocational training as key pillars in Bahrain. He praised Dr Mahathir for playing a crucial role in building a developed economy in Malaysia, hailing him as a global economic iconic symbol, who contributed, through his ideas and performance, in promoting new concepts relating to Islamic economics. He also considered Dr Mahathir Mohamad as a distinguished friend, whom Bahrain welcomes whole-heartedly and looks forward to benefiting from his rich lifetime expertise.
Dr Mohamad also hailed the economic role assumed by HRH Prince Salman, lauding Bahrain’s success in preserving its economic growth momentum and consolidating its achievements despite the precarious global economic situation. He outlined the prospects of Islamic economic investments in the sectors of insurance and banking, stressing the capacity of Bahrain and Malaysia to ensure the success of this distinguished economic experience.
Central Bank of Bahrain Governor Rashid Al Maraj, Head of the Crown Prince’s Court Shaikh Khalifa bin Duaij Al Khalifa and the Crown Prince’s personal secretary Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa attended the audience.
