ARABIALINK Daily News – Bahrain – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]

IFJ Calls for Special Inquiry, Prepares its Own Journalists’ Compensation Dossier  [Jun 5]
“The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is preparing a journalists’ compensation dossier on the Israeli attack on the Gaza-bound ships as the international media watchdog called for a special inquiry into the killing of a journalist and injuries to others during the lethal raid.  The dossier will form the basis of journalists’ claims for compensation in the aftermath of the deadly raid on the ships carrying humanitarian aid for besieged Palestinians.  “We now know that one journalist died and at least one other is seriously injured in horrifying circumstances that remain unexplained,” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. “We are also gathering information about the treatment of journalists and the confiscation of their material, all of which raises new concerns about the violations of their rights.”  The IFJ said that a specific inquiry into the treatment of journalists is required because around 100 of the people detained by the Israeli authorities were thought to be journalists from across the globe..”  [Complete Report]

GCC Should Allow Fishermen to Have Greater Access to Gulf Waters  [Jun 5]
“Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries should draft a fishing agreement that would allow their nationals to use the Gulf waters with less restrictions, a leading Bahraini MP has said.  “The GCC have agreements on commercial activities that allow businessmen and entrepreneurs to conduct all kinds of activities in any of the six member states as local citizens,” said Adel Al Mouawda, the head of the parliamentary committee for foreign affairs, defence and national security.  “The same principles should apply to fishing which is a commercial activity, within a specific legal frame,” he said.  His call was made three weeks after a Bahraini fisherman was shot after straying into Qatari waters..”  [Complete Report]

ARABIALINK Daily News – Bahrain – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]

Islamists’ Hegemony Blamed for Women’s Failure to Win Bahrain Elections  [Jun 4]
“The first woman to be elected to parliament in the Gulf blamed the hegemony of Islamist societies and women’s “hibernation” for the failure of female candidates to win in elections.  Lateefa Al Gaood, narrowly lost in the 2002 Bahraini elections, but won in the 2006 polls after she ran unopposed in her constituency.  “There is a deplorable lack of awareness among voters about the positive roles that women can play and religious societies have compounded the situation by not selecting women on their lists,” Al Gaood said.  “There is also a problem with the candidates who suffer from hibernation. They do not allow themselves enough time to prepare for the elections and have very little or no interaction with voters,” she said.  Women should have a stronger social presence and should interact at least with the female voters to convince them of their ability to represent them and serve their interests in parliament..”  [Complete Report]

Bahrain’s Liberals Need to Interact With Common Man  [Jun 4]
“Bahrain’s liberals have a chance to win seats in the next parliamentary elections if they are able to readjust their communication and interaction with the street, a political leader has said.  “Contrary to all claims, the Bahraini street is very receptive to the idea of liberal representatives in the lower chamber,” Ahmad Juma, the head of Al Meethaq Society, said.  “However, liberals need to distance themselves from their elitist speeches and to remedy to their lack of contact with common people,” he said.  Islamist societies, both Sunni and Shiites, were able to gather huge support and win in the 2006 elections thanks to their special political speeches and to their charity work, Ahmad, one of Bahrain’s best known liberal writers, said.  The 40-seat lower chamber is overwhelmingly dominated by religious figures whose positions have often resulted in bitter standoffs alongside sectarian lines.  “According to our information, the street is now fed up with the very few achievements reached by the lawmakers who focused more on in-fighting and bickering..”  [Complete Report]

Bahrain Urged to Pull Out of Arab Peace Initiative  [Jun 4]
“An Islamic society has urged Bahrain to pull out of the Arab peace initiative because the Israelis are not interested in peaceful co-existence.  “We call upon Bahrain and all the other Arab countries that have endorsed the Arab peace Initiative to withdraw their support and not to engage in any movement to promote peace with the Israelis,” the Islamic Tribune (Al Menbar) said. “Unfortunately, Israel is not interested in peace and is keen only on murders and destruction. The latest instance of savage attacks on the Freedom Flotilla heroes, which included women and children, is another blatant indication of a dark, blood-stained Zionist history,” the society said. Al Menbar, an off-shoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, has seven of the 40 lower chamber seats in the bicameral parliament and is the third largest block..”  [Complete Report]

LMRA Launching New Visa Sweep   [Jun 4]
“Authorities hope to send home or legalise more than 40,000 “irregular” workers in Bahrain by the end of the year, it emerged yesterday.  They have already slashed the number of illegal workers from 48,000 to 43,000 in the past three months.  However, Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) corporate communication manager Waheed Al Balushi said that was just the start.  He also said authorities no longer viewed “free visa” workers or those who overstay their visa as illegal – since many of them could actually be victims of rogue bosses.  “We now use the term irregular workers instead of illegal workers because it puts a criminal label on them,” Mr Al Balushi told the GDN yesterday.  “Not all of these workers are intentionally here illegally, since their employer could have not renewed their visa..”  [Complete Report]
  
Hundreds to Protest Israel’s Gaza Raid   [Jun 4]
“Hundreds of protesters are expected to take to the streets of Bahrain today, demanding Israeli leaders be put on trial for war crimes.  The demonstration, which begins at 5pm at the road parallel to the Al Fateh Mosque in Juffair, will involve a march to the Marina Club, said organisers.  Participants want tough action to be taken against Israel following its deadly raid on an aid ship heading for Gaza on Monday, which killed nine civilians.  “We have already received a very enthusiastic response from people who have pledged they will attend,” said Bahrain Society Against Normalisation with Zionist Enemy secretary-general Mohammed Musaed. “We hope hundreds will turn up.”  Mr Musaed said the protest was being organised by a coalition of political, vocational and social organisations in Bahrain, the Palestine Support Committee and Campaign on Behalf of Palestine..”  [Complete Report]

ARABIALINK Daily News – Bahrain – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]

Dubai Islamic Bank Faces Legal Fight in Bahrain [Jun 3]
“Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC, the emirate’s largest Shariah-compliant lender, faces a $651 million legal battle in Bahrain with four businessmen who it accuses separately of fraud in Dubai, legal documents show.  Bahrain resident Charles Ridley and business partners Ryan Cornelius, Erin Nil and Arthur Fitzwilliam have filed a civil suit in Manama requesting a precautionary attachment order on 245.5 million Bahrain dinars ($651 million) of the Islamic bank’s funds held by the Central Bank of Bahrain, according to the filing.  The Bahrain civil case comes after prosecutors in Dubai charged Mr. Ridley and his fellow plaintiffs in the Bahrain claim with alleged fraud of $501 million. A judge in Manama is scheduled to hear the request for an attachment on DIB’s funds in Bahrain on June 14.  A spokesman for the partly government-owned Dubai Islamic Bank, or DIB, declined to comment on the case when called by Zawya Dow Jones.  “We are of the firm opinion the court will pass its judgment in favor of our clients against the Dubai Islamic Bank,”..”  [Complete Report]

Bahrain Posts an All-time Record Industrial Growth [Jun 3]
“Bahrain has posted an all time record industrial growth over the last few years. The contribution of the industrial sector in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stands at 17 per cent. “The performance builds on other landmark achievements in the era of His Majesty King Hamad”, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Economic Development Board chairman said. Chairing the EDB executive committee meeting, he paid tribute to His Majesty for initiating the reform project which ensured Bahrain a quantum leap forward. He cited Bahrain’s legislative, political, economic and industrial development strides. He also urged more coordination with concerned parties in charge of carrying out industrial projects. “This would streamline the execution of projects to reflect our aspirations, growth momentum and soaring industrial investments”..”  [Complete Report]

ARABIALINK Daily News – Bahrain – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]

$26.5m Tamkeen Fund to Support SMEs  [Jun 2]
“A new BD10 million ($26.5 million) Support Fund will soon help 1,000 small and medium businesses affected by the recession, Tamkeen officials have announced.  It is being developed by a joint committee consisting of Tamkeen, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and General Federation of Workers Trade Unions.  The new scheme is based on a study of the condition of Bahrain’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) conducted by KPMG at the end of last year, according to officials.  It follows a series of protests by SME owners who are angered by a BD10 monthly fee that applies to every expatriate working in Bahrain.  The fees are collected by Labour Market Regulatory Authority on behalf of the government.  Eighty per cent of the fees go to Tamkeen to train Bahrainis for the work place, create jobs and support local businesses..”  [Complete Report]

Bahrain Oil Field Output Surges to 2.7m Barrels [Jun 2]
“Average output from the Bahrain Oil Field rose over the first three months of this year to top 30,339 barrels per day (bpd), up from 30,030 last year.  According to the first quarterly report for 2010, the overall production topped 2.731 million barrels of crude oil.  The National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga) yesterday released the periodic report which features significant indices on oil and gas trends in Bahrain. Bapco has stepped up efforts to upgrade the field and boost its average output.  For this purpose Tatweer Petroleum Bahrain Field Development Company has been established to double oil and gas production.  The Noga survey also showed overall quarterly production from the Abu Saafa Field topped 13.705m barrels, up from 13.475m barrels last year.  This translates into a daily output of 152,280 barrels, up from 149,725 barrels last year..”  [Complete Report]

Bahrain GCC Nominee Lauds King Abdullah [Jun 2]
“n his first interview since being nominated by Bahrain for the post of Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Abdul Latif Bin Rashid Al-Zayani said on Monday that King Abdullah was resolved to “maintain the unity, stability and security of GCC states and strengthen the Council in the midst of the delicate circumstances the region and world are witnessing”.  Al-Zayani, currently the head of Public Security at Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior, said that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ efforts to unify the positions of Gulf states and Arabs represented “a turning point in the course of GCC and Arab joint work”.  “I hope I am successful and capable of realizing the aspirations of the leaders,” Al-Zayani said..”  [Complete Report]

Key Pearl Testing Role for Bahrain  [Jun 2]
“Bahrain is spearheading international efforts to find ways to detect a new type of cultured pearls that cannot be distinguished from natural ones.  The country’s Pearl and Gem Testing Laboratory was the first to uncover the strong resemblance between real pearls and the Keshi type of cultured pearls.   It raised the issue at the World Jewellery Confederation’s last meeting, which was held in February in Munich, Germany.   International delegates agreed that a committee, which yesterday met for the first time in Bahrain, develops scientific-based testing and identification methods.  The meeting, held at the Industry and Commerce Ministry’s Diplomatic Area offices, is being attended by directors and experts from specialised pearl laboratories from across the world.  Countries taking part include the US, Thailand, Switzerland, Italy, the UK and Japan..”  [Complete Report]

ARABIALINK Daily News – Bahrain – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]

KBR Gets Task Order For Work in Bahrain  [Jun 1]
“The U.S. Army selected engineering and construction company KBR to support the construction of a life support area for troops operating in Bahrain.  Houston’s KBR says it will deploy approximately 1,400 of its personnel for the life-support area for the task order under the company’s Logistics Civil Augmentation Program IV contract vehicle.  The approximately $28 million award also includes the construction of hazardous material management, firefighting services and airfield operations facilities along with a life support area.  The new facilities will used by Army and U.S. Navy units deployed at the Defense Department’s sites in Bahrain..”  [Complete Report]

Bankers Held in Bahrain Allege Libel  [Jun 1]
“A London-based private investigator libellously accused three British executives of a $2bn scam in a bank collapse that has led to them being banned from leaving the Gulf state of Bahrain, according to a High Court claim. Hibis Europe wrongly alleged the trio had “systematically perpetrated a criminal fraud on a giant scale”, state the documents, which highlight the risks facing private detectives commissioned to probe suspected financial wrongdoing in corporations.  The alleged defamation – contested by Hibis – is the latest twist in a bitter legal dispute between two Saudi Arabian tycoons that has dragged in big financial institutions and executives from the surrounding region and beyond.. ..The bankers are caught up in the increasingly public falling out between two troubled Saudi conglomerates. Saad Group, owned by Saudi billionaire Maan al-Sanea, and Ahmad Hamad Algosaibi and Brothers (Ahab) are between them estimated to owe dozens of regional and international banks $20bn..”  [Complete Report]

ARABIALINK Daily News – Bahrain – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]

Bahrain Fund Expects Profit This Year  [May 31]
“The Bahraini sovereign wealth fund that owns a stake in the car maker McLaren expects to return to profit this year, even as state funds face tighter regulation after the global financial crisis.  Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding, the GCC state’s US$10 billion (Dh36.7bn) fund, suffered losses connected to its stake in the national carrier Gulf Air and a reduction in aluminium prices, affecting its investment in the metal maker Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) last year, said Talal al Zain, the chief executive of Mumtalakat.  An expansion of the airline’s routes and McLaren’s good growth prospects were among the reasons for expecting a return to the black this year, he said.  “The major contributor to our consolidated loss in 2009 was Gulf Air,” Mr al Zain said yesterday. “With new management at the airline, we are already seeing the impact of a turnaround strategy, and the airline is on budget for January to the end of April, so we are targeting a big reduction in losses for Gulf Air this year.”..”  [Complete Report]

Bahrain Condemns The Israeli Barbaric Attack  [May 31]
“The Kingdom of Bahrain strongly condemns the Israeli navy’s barbaric attack on the aid flotilla in international waters, an attack which caused the deaths of many innocent victims. The Kingdom of Bahrain emphasizes that the Israeli use of force against civilians, including women, children and elders from several countries who sought to provide humanitarian aid to those people besieged in the Gaza Strip, must be condemned, is unacceptable, and is contrary to the basic laws and standards governing international waters.  The Kingdom of Bahrain calls for the international community to fulfil its responsibility in light of these acts of unjustified terrorism. It demands a thorough investigation into the matter, and emphasizes the need for the immediate release of all those on board the flotilla’s vessels..”  [Complete Report]

GFH to Sell Stake in Bahrain Financial Harbour  [May 31]
“Gulf Finance House GFHB.BH (GFHK.KW) will sell its 50 percent stake in Bahrain Financial Harbour Holding to Emar Bahrain, GFH said in a statement on Monday.  The sale, which is part of the cash-strapped firm’s strategy of divesting non-core assets, come as Gulf Finance House raises funds to repay the remaining $100 million of a $300 million loan.  Analysts have valued GFH’s stake in Bahrain Financial Harbour at about $175 million.  Emar Bahrain already owned about 50 percent in Bahrain Financial Harbour, according to Bahrain’s commercial registry. Bankers say Emar Bahrain is linked to the country’s royal family.  The asset sale will help assuage investor fears of immediate liquidity concerns.  GFH was once one of the bigger investment houses in the Gulf but it was badly hit by the regional property crunch, shrinking its balance sheet to about $1.3 billion..”  [Complete Report]

ARABIALINK Daily News – Bahrain – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]

Bahrainis Sentenced to Five Years in Jail for Terror Plot [May 30]
“Two Bahrainis have been sentenced to five years in jail for plotting to attack foreign interests in the country. The duo were found guilty of planning to “carry out acts of terror” against the interests of a foreign country in Bahrain in 2007 and 2008.  They have also been found guilty of smuggling two weapons, a pistol and ammunition without getting a license from the interior ministry, to use in the terrorist acts.  The Bahrainis, aged 22 and 21, were arrested on April 26, 2009 when police seized machine guns, weapons, computer discs, knives, swords and other evidence from their homes in East Riffa, south of Manama.  The interior ministry said at the time that the pair was arrested after they intensified contacts with a terror cell abroad and bought weapons and ammunition from a neighbouring Arab country and then smuggled them into Bahrain..”  [Complete Report]

Bahrain Firm Launched For Women’s Events [May 30]
“A Bahraini woman has launched a company which will organise events exclusively for women, which she says will further empower her gender and address a range of interests.  Reem Ayoob, founder and managing director of Diva Conferences and Exhibition, has created what she describes as the first events co-ordination company in the region that focuses on events that interest women.  Her first event brought together a host of women entrepreneurs with innovative ideas in support of charity and future events will target other sectors, which she says are still in the planning phase.  The 29-year-old had always dreamed of having her own company, but could not decide what it would specialise in.  “I was confused between opening a public relations company and a marketing one,” she said..”  [Complete Report]

Water Output Set to Double [May 30]
“Ambitious plans are underway to almost double Bahrain’s daily water production by 2030 to meet soaring demand. The country is set to implement a series of projects that will enable it to produce 242 million gallons of water per day within the next two decades, said Electricity and Water Authority chief executive Dr Abdulmajid Al Awadhi.  Bahrain is already producing 142m gallons of water daily and generating the additional 100m gallons will be carried out in phases, he said.  The first project will target producing 48m gallons by the summer of next year, at a cost of BD150m.  “Bahrain is planning to secure water in all five governorates and connect water pipes to new houses, malls, shops and other buildings,” said Mr Al Awadhi..”  [Complete Report]

ARABIALINK Daily News – Bahrain – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]

Al Zayani’s Nomination Expected to Ease Bahrain-Qatar Tension [May 29]
“Bahrain has named Abdul Lateef Bin Rashid Al Zayani as the next secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The nomination announced late on Thursday is expected to put an end to a long and mostly silent dispute between Bahrain and Qatar, which had threatened to mar their relations and undermine the six-member GCC alliance. “The decision to nominate Al Zayani came in response to a letter His Majesty King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa received from King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques,” Bahrain News Agency (BNA) said.. ..The nomination announced officially last June was publicly endorsed by Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. However, Qatar objected to the name on the grounds of Al Mutawa’s statements and positions during a bitter border dispute between Doha and Manama that was eventually settled by the International Court of Justice in March 2001..”  [Complete Report]

Bahrain Member of the UN Sport for Development and Peace  [May 29]
“Bahrain has been chosen member of the UN Sport for Development and Peace during a meeting held in Geneva in the presence of officials representing over 24 countries. General Organisation for Youth and Sport president’s advisor Amal Al Dosary attended the meeting.  “This UN honour is in recognition of Bahrain’s status on the international sports arena”, she said. Bahrain represents Asia in the panel’s executive bureau which includes also Ghana, Brazil, Britain, and Australia. The (UNOSDP) aims to promote global peace and deepen understanding between peoples towards achieving the millennium goals..”  [Complete Report]

ARABIALINK Daily News – Bahrain – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]

Bahrain Names Al Zayani as Next GCC Chief  [May 28]
“Bahrain has named Abdul Lateef Bin Rashid Al Zayani as the next secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).  The nomination announced late on Thursday evening is expected to put an end to a long and mostly silent dispute between Bahrain and Qatar over the issue which had threatened to mar their relations and undermine the six-member GCC alliance.  “The decision to nominate Al Zayani came in response to a letter His Majesty King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa received from King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques,” Bahrain News Agency (BNA) said. “The letter was handed over by Prince Mitab Bin Abdullah Al Saud, Saudi National Guard deputy commander for executive affairs. Bahrain highly values King Abdullah’s mediation and efforts to further enhance relations and strengthen mutual co-operation among GCC countries,” the news agency said..”  [Complete Report]

Bahrain Keen to Bolster Co-operation  [May 28]
“His Majesty King Hamad yesterday asserted Bahrain’s keenness to strengthen joint co-operation with Germany, hailing solid historical Bahraini-German relations.  His Majesty was speaking as he received at the Gudaibiya Palace, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and the Economic Development Board (EDB) Chairman, German Chancellor Angela Merkel who is on a regional tour.  During the meeting, the King welcomed the German Chancellor and her accompanying delegation, expressing his delight over the visit which, he said, reflected the solid and developed relations binding the two friendly countries and their peoples.  He also expressed hope that the visit will lay the foundation for stronger bilateral political, economic, commercial and investment co-operation between Bahrain and Germany..”  [Complete Report]

Sojitz Faces U.S. Criminal Probe Over Alba Payments [May 28]
“U.S. prosecutors are investigating whether Sojitz Group, a Japanese trading company, paid bribes to employees of Bahrain’s state-owned aluminum producer, according to a court filing in a civil lawsuit.  The Justice Department disclosed the criminal probe yesterday in asking a judge to halt a lawsuit by Aluminum Bahrain BSC, known as Alba, against Sojitz. Alba claims Sojitz, which has offices in New York and Houston, paid more than $14.8 million in kickbacks to Alba managers from 1993 to 2006 to secure discounts on aluminum prices.  “The United States has a direct and substantial interest in this case, as the subject matter giving rise to this case is also the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation,” Adam Safwat, assistant chief of the Justice Department’s fraud section, wrote in a memo filed in federal court in Houston..” [Complete Report]

Bahraini Minister Says Oil Line Figures Into Refining Plans [May 28]
“An improved global financial climate means that the designs and planning for a new oil pipeline to Bahrain from Saudi Arabia will appear later this year after an earlier delay, according to a senior Bahraini official.  “We are today placed in a very inflationary environment but we have taken the challenges head-on and reacted proactively to retain our competitive edge and stay on course for continued growth and earnings in line with market expectations,” said Bahrain’s Oil and Gas Affairs Minister Abdul Hussein Mirza.  Mirza also told delegates at Middle East Petrotech 2010 in Bahrain that the projected pipeline, which is expected to help Bahrain expand its refining operations, will use a safer route than the existing pipeline between the two countries.  Delegates also heard from Mirza that Bahrain is looking at its refining capacity beyond 2012 to help give the country a competitive advantage and make it better positioned to capture future market opportunities..”  [Complete Report]

ARABIALINK Daily News – Bahrain – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]

US Naval Facility in Bahrain to Double in Size  [May 27]
“The US has launched a $580 million expansion of its naval facilities in Bahrain in a clear indication of its intention to boost its presence in the region.  The military construction project will develop 70 acres on the waterfront to support US and coalition ships and personnel and will include utilities infrastructure, a consolidated port operations and harbour patrol facility, personnel barracks, administrative buildings, dining facility and a flyover bridge connecting Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain to the new port facilities, the Navy said.  The massive project is scheduled to be completed in 2015.  “The presence of the US Navy is important in the region because it provides the needed stability in order for the GCC countries to prosper,” Adam Ereli, the US ambassador to Bahrain, said.  “It’s also important that our presence remains constant in the region in light of existing threats and if anyone suggests that we are afraid or hesitant to place our mark here, they are wrong and they can just look at this project because it symbolises our intent to expand our presence..”  [Complete Report]

HRH Premier and Merkel Hold Official Talks  [May 27]
“His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa today held official talks with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Gudaibiya Palace in the presence of the two countries’ delegations.   During the talks, the Kingdom of Bahrain called for the establishment of a Joint Bahraini-German Committee for economic, trade and technical cooperation and increase of the trade balance between the two countries. The kingdom also called for promoting political dialogue and economic partnership between GCC states and the European Union through carrying on the negotiations aiming to sign a Free Trade Agreement between them. The two sides agreed to coordinate at international gatherings and consolidate diplomatic collaboration..”  [Complete Report]

ARABIALINK Daily News – Bahrain – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]

Easy Exit’ Scheme for Illegal Residents in Bahrain  [May 26]
“Foreigners staying illegally in Bahrain have been given a grace period to leave the country without paying their accumulated fines and penalties, the interior ministry has said.  The “Easy Exit” opportunity covering all expatriates who did not renew their residence permits and wanted to go home voluntarily, started on Tuesday, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa, the assistant undersecretary for nationality, passports and residence, said.  “I call upon all expatriate workers staying illegally to benefit from this scheme by approaching the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) and by arranging with their embassies to rectify their status and leave the Kingdom voluntarily,” Shaikh Ahmad said. “All the other illegal expatriates who entered the kingdom on visit visas should approach the General Directorate for Nationality, Passports and Residence to benefit from this pardon.”  However, Shaikh Ahmad stressed that the exceptional pardon was not an amnesty and that it was limited to the waiving of the fines and penalties accumulated for overstaying in the country..”  [Complete Report]

Qatar Frees Nine Bahraini Men [May 26]
“Qatar has allowed nine Bahraini men to go home after they were detained for allegedly entering Qatari waters illegally during a fishing trip.  Four of the men were taxi drivers and were fishing amateurs who had strayed into the Qatari waters, Bahraini media said amid hope that their release would ease the escalating tension between the neighbouring countries and help the repatriation of dozens of Bahrain-based fishermen currently in Qatari custody. The shooting of a Bahraini fisherman earlier this month has seemingly strained relations between Manama and Doha nine years after they settled a bitter decade-long border dispute through the International Court of Justice.  Qatari coastguards said that they shot the fisherman, Adel Al Taweel, after he refused to comply with their orders to leave Qatar’s waters and did not heed their warning shots. However, Bahrain said that the use of live bullets could have been avoided..” [Complete Report]

Sabic, Bahrain BBK Delay Bond Sales as Yields Soar  [May 26]
“Saudi Basic Industries Corp., the world’s biggest petrochemicals maker, and a Bahrain-based retail lender delayed the sales of dollar-denominated bonds as Europe’s credit crisis prompted investors to demanded higher yields. Sabic Capital, a unit of Sabic, delayed the offer because the spreads were “not what we wanted,” Chief Financial Officer Mutlaq Al-Morished said in a telephone interview today. Bahrain’s BBK was offering investors a spread in the “mid-200” basis-point level above a comparable U.S. benchmark, which was rejected by investors, said a banker with direct knowledge of the plan.  Emerging-market assets have slumped over the past month as the debt crisis in the European Union fueled concern the global economic recovery will stall. The extra yield investors demand to hold debt of developing nations over U.S. Treasuries widened 76 basis points this month to 341 basis points today, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s EMBI+ Index..”  [Complete Report]

ARABIALINK Daily News – Bahrain – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]

Bahrain’s BBK Eyes Better Market Conditions for Bond  [May 24]
“Bahraini retail lender BBK BBKB.BH will issue a bond “any time the market permits”, the bank’s chief executive said on Monday, having held investor meetings last week.  The meetings in Asia and Europe were arranged by HSBC (HSBA.L), Deutsche Bank and Citigroup (C.N) with a view to a potential benchmark U.S. dollar Eurobond issue under the bank’s existing euro medium term notes (EMTN) programme.  Benchmark-sized bonds are typically at least $500 million.  ‘We had very good sessions with our investors and we updated them on our status and our financials and then we will find the time when the window is open,’ AbdulKarim Ahmed Bucheery told reporters on the sidelines of a conference..”  [Complete Report]

Progress Made on Bahrain-Saudi Pipeline  [May 24]
“Designs and planning for the route of a new crude oil pipeline from Saudi Arabia to Bahrain are expected later in 2010, a Bahraini official said in Manama.  Bahraini Oil and Gas Affairs Minister Abdul Hussein Mirza told delegates at a petroleum conference in Manama that the $350 million project would increase energy security in the region. The 70-mile pipeline will use a safer route that avoids going through inhabited areas and will also use state-of-the-art technology,” he was quoted in Gulf Daily News as saying.  The planned pipeline is expected to increase Saudi Arabian crude oil exports to Bahrain. The project, the second such project for Bahrain, would help the Persian Gulf kingdom expand operations at its national refineries.  The project was scrapped earlier as the market collapse in 2008 and 2009 wreaked havoc on world economies..”  [Complete Report]

Bahrain Calls for the Repatriation of 107 Fishermen Held by Qatar  [May 24]
“Bahrain on Sunday called for the repatriation of 107 Bahraini professional and amateur fishermen held by Qatar. “The ministers of interior and municipalities and agriculture have been tasked by the government to monitor the conditions of the Bahraini fishermen held in Qatar and to coordinate with their counterparts in Doha to ensure their safe return home,” a government spokesman said following the weekly session.  A Bahraini delegation should be formed and sent to Qatar to work with the competent authorities on the issue, the government said.  Both ministries should also ensure that similar incidents should not be repeated.  Ten days ago, Adel Al Taweel, a Bahraini fisherman was shot by Qatari coastguards for allegedly illegally entering Qatari waters. The wounded sailor was subsequently taken to hospital amid promises that he would be allowed to go home in a matter of days. However, the authorities later said that they would put him on trial for illegally entering the country. The Qataris said that they were forced to shoot after the boat did not comply with the orders to vacate the area alongside six other ships spotted on the Qatari radars..”  [Complete Report]

ARABIALINK Daily News – BAHRAIN – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]

Rights group seeks probe into Bahrain shooting incident [May 23]
“Amnesty International has urged Bahrain to investigate whether riot police used excessive force in the shooting of an anti-government protester accused of taking part in riots in a Shiite village. The London-based rights group said the protester, Hassan Ali, was shot on Monday in disputed circumstances the same day that Bahrain’s Attorney General said clashes between villagers and policemen resulted in a police car being set alight. “He is suffering from 12 different gunshot wounds all over his body, including three in his head,” the Bahrain Human Rights Society said, adding that Ali had been moved to a military hospital and demanding he be returned to an intensive care unit. Local media reports said Ali would be remanded in police custody for one month. “The authorities need to establish whether he [Ali] was the victim of excessive force, in which case the police officer who shot him and any others responsible for the use of excessive force should be held to account,” Malcolm Smart, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme Director, said in a statement posted on Amnesty’s website..”  [Complete report]

Bahrain’s Arcapita signs $200 mln loan, sees FY loss [May 23]
“Bahraini investment house Arcapita [ARCAB.UL] on Sunday signed a new $200 million loan, signaling that debt markets are opening up to the troubled sector, and said it expected a sizable loss for this year. Bahrain’s investment houses have been badly hit by the financial crisis and a regional property down-turn, and some of them had to revert to rights issues to shore up their balance sheets as debt capital markets remained largely shut. Arcapita said in a statement it had signed the $200 million loan facility with Standard Chartered (STAN.L), which it would use to strengthen its balance sheet and for general corporate purposes. It did not provide any further details such as the tenor of the facility..” [Complete report]

Bahrain and Sharjah trade rises to $272m [May 23]
“Bahrain’s trade with Sharjah topped one billion UAE dirhams ($272 million) last year, says a report. The kingdom was also ranked fifth largest trading partner of the UAE emirate in the GCC. Sharjah’s foreign trade jumped to 60.5bn dirhams last year. During a presentation of a report on foreign trade activities last year, Sharjah Economic Development Department general manager Ali bin Salem Al Mahmoud said that foreign trade constituted a basic foundation that not only helped increase the emirate’s gross domestic product (GDP), but also improved living standards. In addition, he said, it led to export orientation and replacement of imports, and paved the way for improved economic performance and investor-friendly climate. He added that the replacement of imports had been accorded the highest priority to improve export performance, increase demand and achieve better balance for all economic sectors..” [Complete report]