Bahrain business delegation concludes successful visit to China

 

Manama, 23rd November 2016: A high level Bahrain business delegation has concluded a successful road show to China and Hong Kong, exhibiting at the High Tech Fair at the invitation of the Mayor of Shenzhen. Over the course of the visit four deals were signed, helping to strengthen economic and trade ties between the two countries.

 

The delegation was led by HE Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al-Khalifa, the Capital Governor, and Mr. Khalid All Rumaihi, CE of the Economic Development Board (EDB). Also in attendance were senior EDB and government representatives, along with leading Bahraini businessmen and women, and Bahraini start-ups.

 

Numerous meetings took place during the visit between senior Bahraini business executives and government representatives and Chinese officials, private sector leaders and Chinese businesses looking to access investment opportunities in the Gulf market.

Three agreements were signed by the EDB during the delegation’s visit to China, which include:

 

In addition to those, Chinamex Bahrain and China Handicraft Art Work Committee signed an agreement to hold a Chinese cultural products exhibition in Bahrain Dragon City in December 2017.

 

Mr. Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the Bahrain EDB, commented on the visit:

“This visit has been extremely successful, which has been demonstrated by the volume of agreements signed between leading Bahraini public and private sector organisations and their Chinese counterparts.

 

“The Gulf has a fast-growing, young and affluent population that is demanding new products and services. As some of the world’s leading innovators in developing and manufacturing new technology, Chinese business, including SMEs, are ideally placed to take advantage of this fast emerging demand. Being the freest economy in the region, Bahrain is the ideal hub from which Chinese business can access opportunities in the Gulf. We look forward to welcoming more Chinese SMEs to set up in the Kingdom.”

 

This is the third consecutive year that a Bahrain delegation has visited China and Hong Kong to strengthen economic ties. Last year Bahrain was the guest country of honour at the China International Fair for Investment & Trade, and the delegation visited several of China’s commercial centres, signing a total of 15 agreements. In 2014 the delegation conducted a 10-day visit to China and Hong Kong during which 13 MoUs were signed with Chinese businesses and trade organisations.

 

Bahrain supports fully China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ strategy and a number of leading Chinese businesses, including Huawei and Bank of China, have established operations in the Kingdom. Huawei is a regional hub in the Kingdom, where all of its Middle East operations occur in Bahrain. China and Bahrain have been trading along the ancient Silk Road for thousands of years, and Bahrain continues to be a hub for Chinese businesses today.

Further information:
May Taher, Bahrain Economic Development Board
Tel: +973 1758 9972
Email: internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com 

 

About The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB)
The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) is a dynamic public agency with overall responsibility for attracting investment into the Kingdom and supporting initiatives that enhance the investment climate.
The EDB works with the government and both current and prospective investors to ensure that Bahrain’s investment climate is attractive, to communicate the key strengths, and to identify where opportunities exist for further economic growth through investment.

The EDB focuses on several economic sectors that capitalise on Bahrain’s competitive advantages. These sectors include financial services, manufacturing, ICT, tourism, logistics and transport.
For more information on the Bahrain EDB visit www.bahrainedb.com; for information about Bahrain visit www.bahrain.com.