Bahrain has urged the business community to take the lead in fighting the global scourge of human trafficking.

Human trafficking, particularly of women and children, is a horrible example of servitude in our modern era, Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty King Hamad and Supreme Council for Women chairwoman, said at the opening session of the UN-sponsored International Forum on Combating Human Trafficking in Luxor, Egypt.

The private sector must strive to achieve zero tolerance for human trafficking, she said, hailing the goals outlined at the Manama International Conference held last year.

HRH the Princess announced the first-ever Business Leader's Award to honour executives who have shown the commitment to tackle trafficking.

Addressing the opening ceremony through video broadcast, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said 'the private sector is increasingly fulfilling their responsibility in preventing human trafficking from tainting their businesses and supply chains'.

The forum is being held under the patronage of Egyptian First Lady Suzanne Mubarak.

'Business success is not just making money but also taking an active role as community citizens. The business community as a whole, through its global outreach and network of connections, can greatly contribute to removing the root causes of trafficking,' the Egyptian First Lady said addressing participants.

The Luxor forum, themed 'End Human Trafficking Now: Enforcing the UN Protocol', is the first global gathering with particular focus on highlighting the pivotal role of the business community in anti-trafficking efforts.-TradeArabia News Service