HRH Premier receives KPMG International's chairman

Manama, Nov. 7 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has stressed the government’s support for auditing and accounting firms, out of its belief in and approach of professional transparency and disclosure, as well as its keenness to adopt international accounting standards, particularly in light of its reputation and status as an important financial and banking centre in the region.  HRH Premier affirmed that accounting and auditing are among the forms of transparency that the government is keen to embody in its transactions, praising the role played by the private sector and accounting firms in cooperating with ministries and government entities. The Prime Minister was speaking while receiving, at the Gudaibiya Palace today, KPMG International Chairman, Bill Thomas, who is visiting the kingdom to attend the annual conference of KPMG’s Middle East and South Asia Partners, and KPMG’s celebrations of its presence in the Kingdom of Bahrain for 50 years. HRH Premier lauded the role played by KPMG International to support business through the consultations it provides and the economic reports it issues. The Prime Minister welcomed the holding of the annual conference of KPMG’s Middle East and South Asia Partners in Bahrain, which, he said, embodies the distinguished position the kingdom enjoys among specialised international companies, highlighting the importance of international conferences in providing platforms to achieve more partnerships and exchange expertise in accounting and financial auditing, which is necessary for countries to assess the integrity of their development strides. HRH Premier lauded Bahrain’s distinguished national accounting and financial auditing competencies who contributed significantly to consolidating the kingdom’s role as a financial centre and advanced status as a pioneering banking hub in the region.  KPMG International’s chairman expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to HRH the Prime Minister for his support to international companies that launch their business from Bahrain, commending the Premier’s efforts to enhance Bahrain’s economic growth, and interest in ensuring a suitable investment atmosphere in the kingdom. Bill Thomas stressed that for 50 years, KPMG has received all kinds of support from Bahrain, which helped it achieve great success, praising the kingdom’s distinguished economic environment and strong competitiveness indicators.