Bahrain's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) was voted the most progressive regulator of the year in South Asia, Middle East and North Africa.

It was honoured, for the second time, during the South Asia, Middle East and North Africa (Samena) Telecommunications Council's annual conference in Doha.

'We have the honour to have been presented this award for the second time by Samena Telecommunications Council, as we have achieved very significant milestones as a regulator, which include number portability, local loop unbundling (LLU), and other important projects for the benefit of consumers, telecommunications market and the economy of Bahrain,' TRA chairman Dr Mohammed Al Amer said.

'We now have a highly competitive market, comparable with the best in the world, delivering choice, lower prices and diversity of services for the consumer.

'TRA continues to exert more efforts for the development of the telecommunications sector in Bahrain,' Dr Al Amer said.

TRA general director Mohamed Bubashait said the principle of transparency upon which the regulatory authority was established in 2002 has significantly contributed to making Bahrain's telecommunications market one of the most attractive markets in the region in which international companies are confident to invest.

'TRA will continue to work at high standards to realise its objective of creating a communications environment that enriches the social and commercial fabric of the kingdom,' he stated.

'This international achievement would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of TRA's team for the development of a competitive telecommunications market and ensuring that the consumer and economic interest remain paramount in its decisions,' Bubashait said.-TradeArabia News Service