MANAMA: Rigid immigration rules and poor development of the Manama suq, the traditional business hub for Asian traders, were some of the grievances shared at the seminar.
The Bahrain Asian Traders Committee (BATC) appealed to the government to restore old glory to the suq and ease bureaucracy, which restricts expansion of businesses.
"We face succession issues. When our children reach the age of 18, they are not granted visas by the immigration authorities," said BATC vice-chairman Bhagwan Asarpota.
"The Industry and Commerce Ministry does not consider our children eligible for commercial registration until they reach 21 years of age.
"We have been living here for generations with our families and children, so we request the ministry to ease restrictions."
Businessmen requested that laws be liberalised regarding ownership of property besides a practical look at travel bans.
Easy access to government departments, such as immigration was also on top of the agenda.