The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has warned business owners and merchants to avoid responding to calls to close their shops as they will be the only ones in loss.

In a statement, the BCCI urged them to inform the relevant authorities if they are threatened, intimidated or blackmailed, stressing their right to pursue necessary legal actions to anyone responding to such calls, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

BCCI called upon all the political groups to adopt responsible and rational stances and take into account the interests of all citizens.

The painful experience witnessed by the kingdom over the past two years must not be repeated because the economic and social situations cannot withstand more crises and escalations, it said.

Moreover, the interests of the nation and the citizens can be guaranteed only in a stable economy, secure investment environment, sustainable development and the enforcement of the state of law and institutions.

The regretful events that gripped the nation in 2011 and attempts to reproduce them through cloning the experiences of some countries will undermine efforts to attract investments and boost economic development, the statement said.

Furthermore, crises only aggravate the situation and create negative repercussions on the kingdom's social, development and economic march.

The BCCI emphasised that Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy with various institutions and channels through which demands can be made, without resorting to violence and terrorism.

It cited the National Consensus Dialogue as one of the available mechanisms to express those demands.

It asserted that Bahrain will go ahead with its reform and nation-building process in order to consolidate the development and progress march it is currently witnessing, in line with the aspirations of the wise leadership and the Bahraini people for more cohesion.

BCCI pointed out that Bahrain has long been - and still is, known for its unity and rejection of sectarianism and, therefore, is required to stand united against those incitement calls and not respond to them.

It asserted that freedom of opinion is guaranteed for all provided that it is exercised according to the law and through the legitimate channels stipulated by the constitution.

The BCCI voiced its full-fledged support for His Majesty King Hamad's leadership and the measures he will take to maintain security and stability, safeguard national achievements and unity and preserve the kingdom's social fabric. – TradeArabia News Service