Manama, Bahrain – 2 Sep 2025: As part of the official visit of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Bahrain-Egypt Business Forum held in Cairo, was hosted in collaboration between the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) of Egypt.
The Forum showcased the shared commitment of both nations to deepening business and economic collaboration, exploring new avenues for investment, trade diversification, and sustainable development.
The Forum included the participation of senior government officials from both countries including:
• HE Noor bint Ali Al-Khulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development, Chief Executive of Bahrain EDB
• HE Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Kingdom of Bahrain
• HE Eng. Hassan El Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Arab Republic of Egypt
• HE Ahmed Kojak, Minister of Finance of the Arab Republic of Egypt
• HE Sameer Abdulla Nass, Chairman of BCCI
• Mr. Hossam Heiba, CEO of Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones
• Mr. Walid Gamal El-Din, Chairman of the General Authority of the Suez Canal Economic Zone
During her remarks, Her Excellency Noor bint Ali Al-Khulaif affirmed the enduring ties between Bahrain and Egypt, reflecting the mutual commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries.
HE Noor bint Ali Al-Khulaif emphasised that the two nations are pursuing an integrated agenda that leverages their respective strengths and competitive advantages to unlock new cooperation opportunities in financial services, technology, logistics, and manufacturing. The Minister affirmed Bahrain’s commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation with Egypt by encouraging investments, aligning policies, and facilitating cross-border business and trade.
HE Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce said: “The Bahrain-Egypt Business Forum reflects the shared vision and interest of our leadership to continue strengthening bilateral cooperation and expanding the horizons of trade and investment. Bahrain and Egypt share a longstanding partnership built on trust and mutual opportunity, and together we are committed to fostering deeper integration between our economies. By leveraging the respective economic strengths of our countries, we can unlock new opportunities for cooperation in manufacturing, logistics, and other strategic sectors and in turn, contribute to advancing economic development and strengthening trade between our two markets.”
During his speech at the forum, HE Eng. Hassan El Khatib. Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Arab Republic of Egypt stated: “Bahrain is one of Egypt’s key investment partners, with Bahraini investments reaching approximately USD 450 million in 2024. The joint efforts between our two nations pave the way for unprecedented investment opportunities that will foster sustainable growth. This forum marks a new milestone in the strategic partnership between Egypt and Bahrain. It is more than just a platform for promoting investments; it is a continuation of our long history of successful collaboration.”
HE Sameer Abdulla Nass, Chairman of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “The Forum reflects the deep historical bonds between Bahrain and Egypt, and underscores the commitment of both nations’ leadership to strengthen economic cooperation and forge partnerships. BCCI is ready to provide investors with all the necessary facilitation and support, especially those from the Arab Republic of Egypt, to boost economic ties and facilitate the formation of valuable joint ventures. This commitment was recently demonstrated in bilateral meetings held in Cairo with the participation of both Bahraini and Egyptian business communities, serving as productive platforms for the exchange of ideas and the exploration of potential opportunities.
Additionally, bilateral meetings were held on the sidelines of the Forum, including sessions between officials of the two countries, as well as meetings involving company representatives and members of the BCCI. These engagements aimed to strengthen direct engagements, identify projects and business opportunities, and catalyze partnerships across key sectors.
In 2024, Egypt ranked as Bahrain’s 14th largest non-oil trading partner for imports and the 6th largest export destination. The two countries have enjoyed strong trade ties, as evidenced by USD 460.5 million in non-oil bilateral trade. Inward foreign direct investment (FDI) from Egypt concentrated in professional, scientific, and technical services, as well as finance and insurance.
Several senior officials and representatives of the private sector from both countries attended the Forum.
