Gold traders in Bahrain claim to have been hit by new regulations that restrict the sale of corrosive acids used in their day-to-day business.

Both sulphuric and nitric acid are used to test and treat gold and silver, but can also be used to make homemade explosives, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The Bahrain chapter of the GCC Gold and Jewellery Association told the GDN it had been flooded with complaints from merchants over fresh restrictions on the sale of these chemicals.

“Sulphuric acid is used in many different stages of gold jewellery manufacture and on average a gold workshop will use between 30 to 60 litres of this chemical every day,” said association chairman Mohammed Sajid.

“But these chemicals are also commonly used for making homemade bombs and other explosives, which is why the authorities are regulating their usage.”

He said a shortage of the chemicals was creating a backlog of jewellery orders and this issue had been relayed to officials from the Interior Ministry's General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science.

“We held a meeting to discuss this problem and the ministry officials said they would try to ease regulations only for gold merchants,” said Sajid.

“They have asked us to store the chemicals in a cool place and not to misuse them by giving them to other traders.”

The businessman said the association understood why security measures had to be taken to maintain law and order.

“We understand authorities have to regulate certain chemicals and substances that can be used for making explosives,” he said.

“But there should be some steps taken to help the more than 500 gold traders and jewellers, because if there is no sulphuric acid then we cannot do anything.”

The issue is set to be raised tomorrow during a meeting of the Bahrain Asian Traders Committee, of which Sajid is chairman, at the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry. During the meeting, participants will also discuss plans for the upcoming 'Gateway to Arabian Gulf', conference to be held in November.

The Interior Ministry could not be reached for comment on the chemical shortage when contacted by the GDN. - TradeArabia News Service