Batelco's CE briefs American Chamber of Commerce on company's plans

Mr. Kaliaropoulos was speaking at a lunch presentation for the American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain, at the Mercure Grand Hotel Seef, on 19th December.

"I am very pleased to also announce that prices will head south for all Batelco's services in the coming year," he said. "Batelco of the past was about technology, Batelco of the future is about customers."

"However, innovative technologies are transforming the way we communicate almost daily and at Batelco we are very aware that to remain competitive and best serve our customers, we have to stay ahead," he stressed.

To this end, the company is investing heavily in new ventures that will put Batelco at the forefront in the communication global market. Batelco is putting millions into the new FLAG Telcom's FALCON cable system, which will provide Batelco's customers with direct international connectivity between Bahrain and major cities and business centres around the world at higher speeds than is possible today.

"Besides this, our Broadband Bahrain investment of BD21 million is aimed at providing faster and more affordable internet for both individuals and businesses in the Kingdom," explained Mr Kaliaropoulos.

"Implementing this massive undertaking involves a complete overhaul of Batelco's fixed network, changing it from what was primarily a 'narrow-band' capability to a broadband network capable of handling the huge amounts of data that today's multi-media Internet can deliver."

Batelco has also allocated BD17 million this year to continue with the improvement and expansion of its mobile network in coping with the demands of more than 650,000 customers and to enhance geographical coverage.

Two new data centres are currently under construction at a cost of BD3.3 million.
Mr. Kaliaropoulos explained that these centres are designed to the highest internationally-recognised specification and when complete will store and protect customers' critical information that is crucial to their continued operation.

Another significant project that Batelco is currently involved in will enhance the efficiency of government ministries and departments. The e-Government Portal aims at delivering government services to the public. Batelco is financing the first phase of the project which will facilitate the payment of traffic violations, car registration and driving licence renewals and also payment of electricity and water bills.

Batelco is also reinvesting into the community through supporting health, educational, cultural and charitable causes.

Batelco's donations during 2004 totalled more than BD5 million, a figure that has been matched to date this year.

The company is working with the Ministry of Education to implement the King Hamad Schools of the Future project, which aims at reforming the educational system.

"Investment in education is of prime importance and is always money well spent," Mr Kaliaropoulos said.

"We are delighted to contribute to such schemes which will provide us with the business and political leaders of tomorrow."

Large sums of money are also being reinvested into the national economy through the sponsorship of major events such as Formula 1 and to foster the efforts of Bahrain's national teams for football, basketball and the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation.

"Such events put Bahrain on the world map and greatly contribute to the country's reputation on the world stage."

Batelco is committed to buying locally whenever possible and in 2004 put about BD25 millions into the local economy to purchase products and services.

Shareholders also benefited in a big way, to the tune of BD16 million in dividends in 2004.

"In order to ensure the survival of Batelco itself and its continued growth, it is necessary to also invest in staff training and development" Mr Kaliaropoulos continued.
"By funding social, cultural and sporting programmes for staff members, we provide the ingredients to foster a team spirit and family atmosphere amongst people from every department."

The company will soon announce some changes in a number of management positions in order to better lead their more than one and a half thousand staff members.

"We have a lot of managers at Batelco and at present we are focused on turning them into leaders," said Mr Kaliaropoulos.

Mr. Kaliaropoulos spoke of Batelco's enduring contribution to the economic and social development of Bahrain.

"Over a span of almost 150 years, telecommunications in Bahrain has been transformed from being merely a means of communication to being the mainstay of the Kingdom's national economy."

"At Batelco we aim to deliver the goods necessary to play our part in helping the Kingdom to thrive while keeping the needs of our customers foremost in our minds," Mr Kaliaropoulos concluded.