New members of the 2009 Telecommunications Consumer Advisory Group hold their 2009 kick off meeting

Shaikha Haya bint Rashed Al Khalifa who led CAG in 2008 continues to chair the group in 2009.

Sheikha Haya Al Khalifa opened the meeting by saying

"CAG is a unique civil gathering and I'm confident that due to the quality of the members the 2009 group will be as successful in this term as the previous group in 2008".

The members of the 2009 CAG are Dr. Suha AlSaad, Miss Fatima Jamil AlAlawi, Miss Khulud Ali AlSadeh, Mr. Abdulbaset AlMahmood, Mr. Essam AlAmeer, Mr. Gregory White, Mr. Saleh Ali AlShehabi, Mr. Sree Kumar PP, Mr. Subah A.Rahman AlZayani and Mr. Zakarya Khunji.

The new members have been selected carefully so as to cover the spectrum of residential consumer in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

During the first meeting, the members elected Mr. Abdulbaset AlMahmood to be the group's vice chairperson.

The group was also addressed by Mr. Alan Horne, General Director of TRA who welcomed the new members. He set out TRA's work programme indicating that TRA would be seeking the opinions of the group on regulations concerning such matters as Number Portability, Tariff Controls, Anti Competitive Behavior and Quality of Service. He concluded by saying "The Consumer Advisory Group can play a major role in assisting TRA in achieving the benefits for users and the economy envisaged by Government Policy for the Telecommunications Sector".

The group discussed its key objectives for 2009 which are to;
1- Ensure the consumer voice is heard;
2- Assist in protecting the Interests of consumers;
3- Encourage the providers and TRA to emphasis on customer service;
4- Support consumer choice and freedom to select and change their service provider;
5- Enhance consumer education and awareness;
6- Support development in the telecommunication market.

CAG will meet again on 16th February 2009 to discuss their action plan and form the required subgroups required to execute the agreed plan.

CAG Chairperson Sheikha Haya bint Rashed Al Khalifa invited consumers in Bahrain to send the group their comments and requirements regarding telecommunications issues, and express their wish to participate in or attend discussions of any of the plan subjects.