Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
ALL EYES are on His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, as he faces the challenging task of uniting the people of Bahrain at the same time as convincing a nervous global business community to back the kingdom as the country stabilises itself after recent unrest.
His original calls for dialogue between all parties were hindered by what appears to have been a concerted series of terror plots instigated by outside forces targeting Gulf countries.
But he says Bahrain is resolved 'more than ever' to continue the march of reform and modernisation, as desired by his father, His Majesty King Hamad.
"The national dialogue," he recently told reporters, "represents the best option to achieve national consensus, meet demands and continue on the path of reform."
But, before talks with no preconditions can take place, calm and stability has to return to the island. He has stressed more than once the importance of engaging all Bahrainis who want to see their homeland develop and prosper.
Despite sporadic protests across parts of Bahrain in recent days the arrival of the Gulf countries' Peninsula Shield Force and the current State of National Safety has allowed the security forces to focus on restoring order.
Normality is what the vast majority of the residents and businesses crave for as numerous high-profile events have been cancelled and many expats, heeding the advice of their embassies, have left and visitors have stayed away.
HRH Prince Salman will need to call on all his experience to help turn the tide as major companies, particularly those in the essential banking sector, consider moving regional offices away from these shores.
Having completed his high school education at Bahrain School, the Crown Prince went on to earn a BA degree in Political Science from the American University in Washington, followed by a MPhil degree in history and philosophy of science from the University of Cambridge, England.
He has since participated in numerous seminars addressing Arabian Gulf security issues and Middle East affairs and established the renowned Crown Prince's International Scholarship Programme to help guide some of Bahrain's highest young achievers into the 21st Century.
And, one of his most significant roles is that of chairman of the Economic Development Board, which is responsible for formulating and overseeing Bahrain's economic development strategy with the aim to attract foreign direct investment to the kingdom.
An expat colleague who works closely with the 42-year-old Crown Prince described him as a man with a 'steely determination to succeed and a good heart' ... attributes he will need in abundance in the coming months.
