Latest from Bahrain This Week
Bahrain This Week
2 days ago
- Health
- Bahrain This Week
Bahrain Mourns the Passing of Safia Ali Kanoo
Bahrain has lost one of its most dedicated humanitarians with the passing of Safia Ali Muhammad Kanoo on Wednesday, June 18. A towering figure in Bahrain's social and economic landscape, she leaves behind a legacy of transformative philanthropy, women's empowerment, and cultural enrichment. For decades, Ms Kanoo championed initiatives that uplifted vulnerable communities, most notably through healthcare. She established the Safia Ali Kanoo Paediatric Ward at Salmaniya Medical Complex, providing critical care for children battling cancer, and founded two specialised wards for elderly care. Her contributions extended beyond medicine—she built mosques, supported art centres like the Safia Ali Kanoo Centre for Arts and Crafts, and empowered Bahraini women through entrepreneurship programs and exhibitions. A steadfast advocate for female leadership, she was a pillar of the Bahraini Businesswomen Association, creating and nurturing opportunities for women in business and culture. Her visionary work earned her the prestigious First-Class Medal of Competence from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa—twice, in 2001 and 2012—a testament to her national impact. Bahrain today grieves not just a philanthropist, but a trailblazer whose life redefined service. From children's hospitals to artisan workshops, her legacy lives on in every life she touched. As the Kingdom bids farewell to this icon of generosity, her spirit endures in the institutions she built and the countless futures she brightened. May her soul rest in peace.
Bahrain This Week
2 days ago
- Business
- Bahrain This Week
BAC and Texel Air Sign MOU at Paris Airshow 2025
His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, reaffirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain's steadfast commitment to advancing its ambitious strategy for the development of the civil aviation sector and the enhancement of related infrastructure, in alignment with the highest international standards. His Excellency emphasized that Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) is a key pillar of this strategy, given the sector's promising investment potential and its vital role in supporting Bahrain's comprehensive aviation ecosystem. He further noted that the expansion of advanced maintenance services at Bahrain International Airport strengthens the Kingdom's ability to attract high-quality investments and contributes meaningfully to the national economic diversification agenda. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah also highlighted the partnership with Texel Air as an exemplary model of public-private sector collaboration in developing aviation services—reinforcing Bahrain's position as a flexible and efficient regional logistics hub. This statement follows the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport (BIA), and Texel Air, a specialist in air cargo and aircraft maintenance. The MoU was signed during the Paris Air Show, held from June 16 to 22, 2025, and outlines plans for a major expansion of aircraft MRO hangar capabilities at the airport. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and was officiated by Mr. Jeffrey Goh, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Air Group on behalf of BAC, and George Chisholm, Executive Board Member of Texel Air. Under the terms of the MoU, Texel Air's operations at Bahrain International Airport will be expanded through the development of a new 7,000-square-meter Code C aircraft hangar, along with an additional 10,000 square meters of apron, maneuvering and taxiway area. The new facility is designed to accommodate up to three Code C aircraft or multiple ultra long-range business jets in a climate-controlled environment, providing specialized parking and maintenance conditions tailored to high-value private and corporate aviation. This substantial infrastructure investment will significantly elevate Bahrain International Airport's capacity and standing as a premier regional aviation hub. The Chairman of Gulf Air Group, Mr. Khalid Hussain Taqi, stated, 'This MoU embodies the Group's long-term vision of creating valuable and sustainable opportunities for private sector partners and investors. This initiative will undoubtedly contribute to supporting the national economy through strategic investment in the Kingdom's aviation infrastructure. Our partnership with Texel Air is crucial. It stands as a truly successful model of effective collaboration. As a Bahraini company with a prominent regional impact, Texel Air's growth trajectory at Bahrain International Airport perfectly aligns with the Group's vision to foster a flexible and attractive environment for air cargo and aircraft maintenance and repair activities.' Mr. Jeffrey Goh, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Air Group commented, 'BAC is committed to supporting investors at Bahrain International Airport and enabling their commercial expansion and business growth, a core part of BAC's strategy to enhance private aviation operation. Supporting the logistics sector is an urgent necessity for diversifying airport services and solidifying the Kingdom of Bahrain's position as a regional aviation hub. Texel Air is a strategic partner that actively contributes to the air cargo and aviation ecosystem at Bahrain International Airport. Significantly, this expansion reflects investor confidence in the airport's capability to support various services and operations. George Chisholm, Executive Board Member of Texel Air Said, 'This investment reflects Texel Air's long-term commitment to the Kingdom of Bahrain as a strategic base for both commercial and corporate aviation. We're proud to work alongside BAC to build infrastructure that meets the evolving needs of the region.'
Bahrain This Week
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Bahrain This Week
Motorcity Bags 'Longest Partnership' Award at Chery 2025 Conference
Asian Motors, the official distributor of Chery vehicles in Bahrain (part of Motorcity), and Chery Bahrain were both honored at the 2025 Chery International Business Conference, which took place at Wuhu, China. Approximately 5,000 key industry figures from 90 countries attended the event, including global partners, regional executives, and other stakeholders. Motorcity received the 'Longest Partnership' award, a distinction that marks 20 years since its collaboration began with the Chinese automotive group, making Motorcity its longest-standing partner in history. Chery Bahrain also won the 'Rising Star' award at the event, highlighting the brand's enhanced growth rate, market presence, and performance in 2024. Chery Bahrain Dealer Principal, Abdulelah Burashed said: 'These awards cement Bahrain's role as a key partner in achieving Chery's global strategic objectives and highlight our capabilities in meeting those ambitions. Our partnership remains as strong as ever, thanks to our mutual values of focusing on market innovations and providing the best possible customer experience. We thank Chery for its prestigious recognition of this milestone, and we look forward to many more years of our successful partnership.' Chery is a leading brand in Bahrain and has garnered a reputation for innovative designs and commitment to quality, earning the trust of consumers in the Kingdom. Going forward, Chery has placed its focus on transforming global green mobility through innovative new energy technologies, particularly in the PHEV sector. The company aims to prioritize the safety, range, and intelligence of its PHEV products, offering more competitive eco-friendly mobility solutions to global consumers.
Bahrain This Week
4 days ago
- Business
- Bahrain This Week
'Design Your Future' Campaign Announces Ninth Edition of the Annual Business Quiz Show
The 'Design Your Future' campaign has announced the launch of the ninth edition of its Annual Business Quiz Show, scheduled to take place on 24 August 2025. This announcement coincides with the beginning of the campaign's second edition, launched in strategic partnership with Mastercard, the official knowledge partner for this edition. The Design Your Future initiative is designed to support high school graduates, university students, and vocational training participants in adopting a structured and proactive approach to career planning and development. The Business Quiz Show forms an integral part of the campaign's broader objective to develop and highlight Bahraini talent across key national economic sectors. Participating companies and institutions will engage in quiz-based challenges designed to assess their industry knowledge and analytical skills in areas critical to Bahrain's positioning as a regional business and innovation hub. Registration is currently open for companies and corporates wishing to participate. This year's edition will take place over five evenings, with university students joining company teams to foster collaboration between emerging talents and business professionals. Each evening will focus on a specific sector, where four teams will compete in knowledge-driven rounds covering topics related to Bahrain's economic landscape and sector-specific developments. The sectors featured in this edition include banking, insurance, industry, and general business. Winners from each sector will advance to the final round, which is scheduled for 28 August 2025. Ms. Zahraa Taher, Chairperson of the Advisory Committee of the 'Design Your Future' campaign, stated: 'The Annual Business Quiz Show offers a unique opportunity for university students to engage with leading professionals from Bahrain's foremost companies. This initiative continues to highlight national competencies and provides a platform for future leaders to demonstrate their potential.' The second edition of the Design Your Future campaign will feature a range of exciting programmers and events, including the DYF Business Quiz Show, the DYF Podcast, a host of high-level workshops, and the Skills Hunt event, fostering teamwork, skill-building, and professional growth. The campaign is supported by Mastercard as the knowledge partner, in collaboration with members of the Advisory Committee, including representatives from the Higher Education Council, INJAZ Bahrain, Tamkeen, Lamea Association, and certified professionals in career development and skills training. This collective effort contributes to the overall impact and quality of the campaign, helping participants align their aspirations with the evolving requirements of the labour market.
Bahrain This Week
4 days ago
- Business
- Bahrain This Week
Gulf Air unveils Chinaware Collection in celebration of its 75th anniversary
Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, proudly announces the launch of its new chinaware collection in celebration of the airline's 75th anniversary. This collection marks a strategic evolution of Gulf Air's onboard dining experience for passengers, transitioning to an artistically designed range that blends functionality with cultural and aesthetic appeal. The redesigned chinaware integrates visually compelling artwork inspired by the region's heritage, transforming everyday dining into a memorable visual and emotional experience. By introducing curated patterns and distinctive designs, Gulf Air reinforces its commitment to quality, and design excellence while elevating the value of its onboard offerings. This initiative is part of Gulf Air's efforts to provide passengers with products that reflect both artistic expression and practical utility. The themed collection highlights the airline's dedication to delivering aspirational experiences that resonate with its passengers and celebrate its rich cultural identity. The initiative follows the 'Choose Your Cuisine' service that was launched last year which allows business class passengers on long-haul flights to pre-select their preferred meals prior to departure, offering a more personalized and seamless dining experience.
