The chief executive of Batelco’s Bahraini unit, Rashid Abdulla, has stepped down after three years in the role.
Alan Whelan, the Bahrain-based operator’s group CEO, will replace him until a new head is found.
Chairman Hamad Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa…
The chief executive of Batelco’s Bahraini unit, Rashid Abdulla, has stepped down after three years in the role.
Alan Whelan, the Bahrain-based operator’s group CEO, will replace him until a new head is found.
Chairman Hamad Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa commented: “The search for a new Bahrain CEO is underway, but such a process may take some time. However, we are confident that Mr Whelan with his vast experience in the telecommunications industry will competently lead the day-to-day Batelco Bahrain operation until the appointment of a suitable replacement.”
Besides Bahrain, Batelco is also present in Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt and in a few islands across the globe.
The telco had operations in India until the 2G licences of its joint venture in the country were cancelled in early 2012 in the wake of the 2G scam. Its Indian partner Siva agreed to buy Batelco’s 42.7% stake in the mobile JV. But the Bahraini operator later sued Siva after the US$212m due was not paid.
In a statement at the weekend, Batelco said it would continue to seek payment from Siva and its chairman Chinnakannan Sivasankaran despite the Indian company being declared bankrupt last week.
“Mr Sivasankaran’s bankruptcy will not thwart our determination to recover the substantial monies that he owes us,” Whelan said in the statement.