The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has thrown a lifeline to small and medium businesses affected by the unrest which gripped Bahrain recently.

It has set up a special unit to rescue these enterprises and help them overcome the repercussions of the crisis.

A new panel will assist all these affected businesses in an appropriate and calculated manner, taking into account the situation of each enterprise.

The unit will also undertake analytical work and suggest viable solutions for customers, whose businesses slumped due to the unrest.

'The unit aims at assisting these businesses to overcome their difficult financial condition without violating the rights of concerned parties,' the NBB said in a statement.

NBB chief executive officer and board member Abdulrazzaq Hassan Al Qassim described the aid unit as a step to promote the principle of true partnership, in times of prosperity or adversity.

'The bank is a real partner of customers and is totally convinced that it derives its strength from clients,' he said.

The establishment has acted out of responsibility to ensure trade companies survive and continue to spur growth, despite the difficult market conditions.

'The unit will overtime to discuss problems facing traders, propose practical and efficient solutions for these businesses to survive,' he said.

He urged traders to report to the unit, located at the fourth floor of the NBB headquarters in Manama, from 8am to 2pm during working days. No appointment is needed.

Owners of small and medium businesses can also telephone the unit on 17205525 or 17205708.-TradeArabia News Service