MANAMA: Bahrain’s advertising industry requires a boost, a leading industry veteran has said.

“In Bahrain, we are all aware that the advertising industry requires a boost to become much more active like other Gulf markets,” International Advertising Association (IAA) Bahrain Chapter president and IAA Worldwide board member Khamis Al Muqla said yesterday.

He was speaking during a business luncheon at the Capital Club.

Minister of State for Information Affairs Sameera Rajab was a special guest.

Economic Development Board chief economist Dr Jarmo Kotilaine delivered a talk on Bahrain’s economic growth.

“It seems the Pan Arab media and in particular TV satellite media are capturing the lion’s share of the advertising expenditure,” Mr Al Muqla added.

The association’s Bahrain chapter inducted five new members
yesterday who were presented certificates.

“We are very pleased to see our membership growing,” he said.

“We would like to see members from the Information Affairs Authority which I have discussed with Ms
Rajab.

“We would like to see the newly appointed president Ali Al Rumaihi and his team as active members
with us.

“We discussed at our last meeting the need to attract new blood to the IAA and to join our new board,” he said.

“We are finalising our election process with the ministry and our deadline is to have a new board by September this year,” he added.