Poland plans to build wall on its border with Belarus to block migrants
October 30, 2021, 6:32 am

Poland plans to build wall on its border with Belarus to block migrants

Poland-Warsaw-Skyscrapers/Pixabay

The BBC reported, Poland's parliament has voted to build a controversial wall on its border with Belarus to block an influx of migrants who are illegally entering Poland.

It said that thousands of people - mostly from the Middle East and Asia - have tried to cross Poland's border in recent months.

According to the BBC, the EU accuses Belarus's government of driving the rise, in retaliation for sanctions against its regime.

The 5.5m (18ft) wall will cost €353m (£297m; $407), and some critics say it is a waste of money.

The legislation will now go to Poland's president, Andrzej Duda, who is expected to sign it into law.

The wall - equipped with motion sensors and a monitoring system - will cover about half the length of Poland's 400km (250 mile) border with Belarus. The government plans to build it by next summer.

Poland-Main market-Kraków-The old town/Pixabay

Poland says currently about 500 people are trying to cross into the country illegally from Belarus every day. There were just 120 in the whole of last year.

The EU has accused Belarus of facilitating a a route for migrants to cross its frontiers into neighbouring EU states, in response to sanctions against President Alexander Lukashenko's crackdown on opposition and dissent.

Poland has responded to the influx by building a razor-wire fence and sending thousands of troops to secure it.

But it has been criticised for pushing back migrants and refugees at the border. It has imposed a state of emergency, effectively banning journalists and aid workers from accessing the border.

At least eight migrants have died along the Belarusian border, according to the United Nations.

Last week, Poland was among 10 member states that asked the EU to pay for "barriers" to block migrants from entering. But EU chief Ursula von der Leyen refused.

Claiming Poland was "under attack" from Belarus, nationalist Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Thursday the wall was essential to "protect" the country.

But opposition MPs say the wall will be costly and ineffective.

Barbora Cernusakova, a researcher with Amnesty International, told the BBC a wall was unlikely to deter migrants.

"What we know from the past experiences at other borders is that it makes very little difference," she said.

"So in the end it may extend the time that makes the journey even more difficult, but it's not really an effective way to deal with the situation."

Source: BBC

Jordan becomes a top destination for skilled garment female workers from Bangladesh About 3,000 migrants advance slowly along highway near Mexico’s border with Guatemala

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.