More than 150 jewellers and goldsmiths attended a meeting at Beit Al Tijjar in Sanabis yesterday.

They discussed issues concerning the gold business in Bahrain following the unrest.

Three proposals were submitted to Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) chairman Dr Essam Fakhro, urging the chamber to support the suffering industry.

Businessmen are calling for efforts to reduce Bahrainisation level from 20 per cent to 5 per cent to help revive the market as a temporary measure.

They are also urging the BCCI to take part in talks with the Manama Municipality to find an immediate solution to pending Commercial Registrations of new shops in the capital, which have been stopped by the governmental body.

BCCI gold and pearl jewellery committee head Mohammed Sajid Shaikh said the meeting also finalised a proposal to hold a jewellery exhibition for Bahrain gold next month at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

'We finalised the proposal's aim and plan and submitted it to Dr Fakhro to be discussed with Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro,' he said.

'The exhibition will work as a way to promote Bahrain and its renowned gold craft.

'This in turn will revive the economy and bring tourism and investment back to the country.'-TradeArabia News Service