CREATING CONNECTIONS

The Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF) is widely recognised in the United Kingdom and in the Kingdom of Bahrain for being a leading, impartial business sector group. On the occasion of the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, we explore the history of this essential organisation and significant developments that will be coming into place.

Bahrain’s oldest and most active business networking organisation, the Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF), was formed in 1995 to promote trade and investment between Bahrain and Britain in a non-discriminatory, non-political and non-profit making manner.

The forum works to create and sustain a favourable business environment and strives to assist and introduce new trade and investments, to both Bahrain and UK, that can benefit and enhance the common economic interests of the member companies. The BBBF also aims to promote Bahrain as the regional centre to conduct business throughout the Middle East. Moreover, the forum has driven forward cross-regional initiatives with other British business groups in the region. From these connections the forum members build both regional and global connections.

The BBBF plays an integral part in promoting British businesses to Bahrain and Bahraini businesses to Britain. The forum’s monthly meetings and special interest group events serve as excellent tools in building strong business relationships, networking and information sharing. Royal family members, ministerial level speakers and business leaders from both Bahrain and Britain share their knowledge and present the latest opportunities, news and developments as keynote speakers at BBBF events.

“The BBBF has many members with over 20 years of membership, a testament to our formula of networking initiatives. This year, exciting plans are in the pipeline for the BBBF. We are in the process of converting the forum to an official British Chamber of Commerce Bahrain, which we expect to bring even more benefits to our members and both countries,” says BBBF Vice Chair, Paula Boast MBE.

The BBBF also works in close cooperation with the British Embassy in Bahrain to organise business related events and provide information regarding the latest business functions and trade exhibitions. For enhanced collaboration the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed an MOU with the BBBF in 2010.

Apart from business networking, the BBBF engages in community support activities. To commemorate the Armistice Day, every November the BBBF organises a charity ball, the Poppy Ball, one of the annual highlights on Bahrain’s social calendar. The funds collected are donated to Bahraini and British charities.

The forum also supports the Crown Prince International Scholarship (CPISP) alumni who have graduated from UK universities and are currently working in Bahrain. The BBBF offers free membership to the alumni for a period of three years to help the promising Bahraini graduates to incorporate into the Bahraini business community.