A record number of women have been elected to the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) board, it was announced yesterday.

Of the nine women who stood for election, four have won seats on the 18-member board with a fifth announced as a reserve member, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

That compares to a previous best of just two female board members.

Cables of congratulations were sent yesterday by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty King Hamad and Supreme Council for Women president, to successful women candidates Afnan Al Zayani, Deema Al Haddad, Shaikha Hind bint Salman Al Khalifa and Ahlam Janahi.

Khalid Almoayyed was confirmed as the new BCCI chairman after results from Saturday's election were delayed due to a technical error in the vote counting machines.

Almoayyed, whose campaign group Ma'akum (Together) landed 12 seats to make up more than half of the board, secured the most votes with 3,128.

"It's fabulous news," Almoayyed told the GDN yesterday.

"I was confident of victory, but I don't want to sound too offensive to other challengers.

"The election went very smoothly and I appreciate the work that everybody put in.

"Our group will now work very hard for the BCCI and the business community."

At a press conference in December, Almoayyed said his Ma'akum (Together) group's manifesto focused on encouraging young entrepreneurs, new technology, developing the role of SMEs, building a culture of good corporate governance, promoting the BCCI's "entrepreneurial spirit", enhancing the BCCI's role in the service of the country's business environment and private sector, fostering projects initiated by young people and promoting the adoption of modern IT systems.

Three of the new board members contested as part of the Tadhamon (Solidarity) group, while one is from the Tamkeen Economic Bloc and one was an independent candidate.

Returning to the BCCI board are former lone female member Afnan Al Zayani, Midway Food chief executive Khalid Al Amin, Al Hawaj managing director Jawad Al Hawaj, former second deputy chairman Adel Al A'ali, former executive committee member Abdulhameed Al Kooheji, former treasurer Othman Al Rayes and former members Isa Al Rafaei, Mohamed Sajid and Nabeel Kanoo. Two members of the new board are also MPs. - TradeArabia News Service