Bahrain’s business community continues to protest against a decision to raise leasing rates for industrial plots.

Businessmen said the Industry and Commerce Ministry is determined to forcibly impose astronomical rates despite complaints lodged by representatives of parties concerned, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

They also criticised the passive stances taken by parliament and Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry towards the ministry’s “arbitrary decision”.

However, prominent businessman Abdulrahman Fakhro said he is sure the wise leadership will object to implementing such a decision which will heavily impact the industrial sector. He hoped the ministry will reach a consensus with parties concerned.

Another leading businessman Sameer Nass said he raised the issue with an MP who told him “pay our salaries then we will defend your interests”, which means the government is paying MPs’ salaries and therefore they are standing by the ministry in its decision, reports our sister paper Akhbar Al Khaleej. – TradeArabia News Service