Official and commercial confirmation of the abundance of stock and the continued flow of shipments despite the Iranian attacks

Sayed Hussein Al-Qassab

In light of the current brutal Iranian attacks taking place in the Kingdom of Bahrain, government and private sector efforts are continuing to enhance the stability of the local market and ensure the flow of basic goods and materials to various commercial outlets, which reflects the readiness of the food security system and its ability to deal with changes with high efficiency.

In this context, the Chairman of the Food Sector Committee at the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Khaled Al-Amin, and the General Manager of Maza Company, Rashid Zainal, confirmed the availability of sufficient stock and the continued flow of shipments on a regular basis, amid integrated coordination between the concerned authorities to ensure the stability of supplies and meet the needs of citizens and residents without interruption.

Chairman of the Food Sector Committee at the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Khalid Al-Amin, praised the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to a number of markets in the Kingdom of Bahrain, stressing that this visit reflects the leadership’s keenness to directly follow up on the field conditions in the markets and ensure the availability of goods and foodstuffs for citizens and residents. Al-Amin explained in a statement to Al-Watan that the tour of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to the markets carries a message of reassurance to society, and reflects the government’s interest in monitoring the stability of the local market and ensuring the readiness of the commercial sector to meet the needs of consumers, noting that these steps enhance confidence among consumers and merchants alike. He pointed out that the markets in the Kingdom are witnessing an abundance of basic commodities, with the availability of a strategic stock that covers the needs, pointing out that supply chains operate normally and regularly without any significant effects on the availability of products or price stability. Al-Amin stressed that the markets in Bahrain enjoy an abundance of food and basic commodities, explaining that this stability comes as a result of continuous coordination between government agencies and the private sector, ensuring the continued availability of products and meeting the market’s needs without any shortage. He added that the commercial sector in the Kingdom continues its efforts to enhance food stocks and provide high-quality goods, which contributes to maintaining price stability, stressing the commitment of merchants and suppliers to their role in supporting the national food security system and enhancing the stability of the local market.

Al-Amin pointed out that the visit of His Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to the markets reflects the leadership’s approach in communicating directly with various sectors and closely following their needs, which contributes to enhancing economic stability and supporting market movement. The Secretary called on consumers to buy according to their actual needs without exaggeration, and to benefit from the diversity of alternatives available in the markets, stressing that the abundance of goods and the variety of available options contribute to achieving balance in the market and enhance the sustainability of the availability of products for all. He stressed that the local markets are stable and witness an abundance of goods and foodstuffs, with continued joint efforts between the government and the private sector to ensure the sustainability of this stability and strengthen the food security system in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

For his part, the General Manager of Mazza Company, Rashid Zainal, confirmed to Al-Watan that food security in the Kingdom of Bahrain is available and the stock is sufficient, reassuring citizens and residents in light of the current events that the Kingdom is going through, stressing that “there are no justifications for anxiety or panic, as supplies are proceeding normally and regularly.” Zainal explained that all shipments and food supplies entering Bahrain were smoothly cleared and received at the ports, thanks to the professional and organized cooperation between the Ministry of Interior and Seaports Affairs. He pointed out that there is continuous coordination and priority in clearance procedures, where preference is given to basic materials and medicines, ensuring the smooth flow of goods to the markets without delay.

He stated that the products are available in markets and stores, and that shipments are still arriving successively, pointing out the arrival of new shipments of flour and other basic materials during the past days, which reflects the stability of supply chains and the absence of any actual shortage of goods. He added: “Anyone can visit any supermarket to verify for themselves the abundance of supply, and if there is any shortage, we are ready to respond immediately.” Regarding storage operations by consumers, Zainal pointed out that reasonable storage in such circumstances is normal, but there is no need to exaggerate or buy quantities that exceed what is needed, stressing that the strategic stock is available, and that the concerned authorities are following up on the situation to ensure market stability. He pointed out that the government is keen to directly check on the conditions of the markets, through field visits and coordination meetings, pointing out that the visits made by the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to the markets to check on the availability of goods would send reassuring messages to citizens and residents in the Kingdom. He stated that the Ministry of Industry and Trade constantly holds meetings with representatives of companies and suppliers to study any potential obstacles, and allocates direct communication channels to follow up on developments in coordination with the competent authorities.