Dubai – UAE, November 03, 2011 — SAMENA (South Asia, Middle East, North Africa) Telecommunications Council, the tri-regional telecommunications consortium has announced Shaikh Mohamed Bin Isa Al Khalifa, Group CEO of Bahrain Telecommunications Company (BATELCO) as its new Chairman, unanimously elected by SAMENA's Board of Directors.

Announcing the SAMENA Board's decision to elect Shaikh Mohamed Bin Isa Al Khalifa as its Chairman during 'Convergence to Doha 2011', Thomas Wilson, CEO and Executive Managing Director of SAMENA said, "Shaikh Mohamed, through his experience and knowledge will help realise the vision of SAMENA, as the Council continues to grow its member base and gains recognition troughout the South Asia, Middle East and North Africa regions." "Guided by his leadership, capabilities and excellent knowledge of the region's telecommunications industry, the different industry players and regulatory agendas, we hope to continue the great work done under our ex-Chairman Eng. Saud Al Daweesh and achieve more success and continue adding value to our members and the industry at large."

Upon his election as Chairman of SAMENA, Shaikh Mohamed Bin Isa Al Khalifa said that he was delighted and honoured to be chosen to chair the SAMENA Council and very much looked forward to collaborating with the Council's members to push forward their collective goals and aspirations.

"Digitisation will be the key driver of sustainable economic growth across the MENA region. All the members of SAMENA look forward to co-operating and accelerating digitisation trends which will enable all industries to deliver benefits to our societies and economies," the newly appointed SAMENA Chairman elaborated.

Prior to his appointment as Group CEO, Shaikh Mohamed bin Isa Al Khalifa, was the Deputy Chairman of Batelco Board of Directors from 2002 to 2011. Also, he was the CEO of the Social Insurance Organization (SIO) which was formed by the merger of the General Organization for Social Insurance and the Pension Fund Commission in 2008. Prior to this merger, he was the Director General of the General Organization for Social Insurance in Bahrain since 2005.

He commenced his work with the General Organization for Social Insurance in Bahrain in 1989 and has held several senior positions such as the Director of the Finance and Investment Department from 2002, Foreign Investment Portfolios Manager and Investment Analyst. In addition, Shaikh Mohamed represented SIO in several portfolio company boards in different capacities such as Chairman at the Securities and Investments Company (SICO), Vice Chairman at Batelco, Bank of Bahrain & Kuwait and Bahrain International Golf Course Company, as well as the post of Director at Bahrain Commercial Facilities Company.

This press release has been issued by Batelco Corporate Affairs department. For further information, please contact Batelco Public Relations Office This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / Fax +973 17611898.