Shaikha Haya Bint Rashed Al Khalifa heads TRA's Consumer Advisory Group

The purpose of this advisory group is to provide TRA with a consumer's view on the telecommunications services being offered within Bahrain. The advisory group will also provide a consumer's view on TRA proposed actions and consultations.

Commenting on her appointment, Shaikha Haya said: "I'm pleased to be appointed by the TRA to lead the Consumer Advisory group. I believe the group's work can play an important role in not only providing feedback to TRA but ultimately in improving the performance of the telecom sector with regard to services and enhancing consumer experience. ".

The TRA is in the process of appointing nine members of the group and a selection criteria has been designed so that a cross section of the community can be represented. The group will be appointed for 1 year and commence its work at the beginning of 2008.

TRA's General Director Alan Horne welcomed Shaikha Haya and said:" We are very pleased that Shaikha Haya accepted our invitation to Chair the Consumer advisory Group. We believe that her experience will enhance the group's ability to work in an effective manner to the benefit of Bahrain's consumers".

Shaikha Haya Bint Rashed al Khalifa is a lawyer and is currently a member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Court of Arbitration. In Paris Former Vice-President of the Bahrain Bar Association and member of international bar association.

Shaikha Haya has a distinguished diplomatic career. From 2000 to 2004 she was Bahrain's ambassador to France and the nonresident ambassador to Belgium, Switzerland and Spain. She is also Bahrain's permanent delegate to UNESCO, the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Sheikha Haya was the first Arab woman President of the General Assembly of the United Nations 61 sessions - a role she has held until mid 2007.