December 30, 2015
Manama: As part of its efforts to attract investments to Bahrain and promote its business environment, the EDB met with six business delegations that visited the Kingdom in the last quarter of this year. The delegations consisted of businessmen from China, Japan, Austria and Iraq and discussed strengthening of investment relations between their countries and Bahrain.
During the meetings, the members were briefed on the Kingdom’s open business environment and the investment opportunities it offers, as well as informed of EDB’s efforts to attract foreign businesses to the Kingdom and encouraging the next step for them to establish operations in the Kingdom. The EDB representatives also introduced the delegation to Bahrain’s competitive advantages, including its national qualified workforce, and affordable and low cost living environment.
Three Chinese Delegations visit Bahrain
The EDB met with three Chinese delegations in one week with aims to strengthen investment cooperation between China and Bahrain. Representatives from the EDB discussed strengthening economic ties with members from the Quanzhou province, which included representatives of businesses in the areas of water treatment, logistics and retail. A second meeting was held between EDB officials and representatives from Invest Shenzhen Organisation, a dedicated entity to attract and promote business and trade in Shenzhen. The meeting discussed Bahrain’s business environment, covering the Islamic finance sector specifically as well as means of cooperation between the two sides and attracting Bahraini investments to Shenzhen’s Qianhai economic zone.
In a separate meeting, officials from the EDB discussed trade ties with representatives from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) – Qinghai, which includes various Chinese businesses in different sectors looking to expand their operations internationally.
In a separate meeting, officials from the EDB discussed trade ties with representatives from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) – Qinghai, which includes various Chinese businesses in different sectors looking to expand their operations internationally.
Austrian Businesses learn about the Kingdom’s investment opportunities
The EDB International office in Germany supported the organising of a visit by an Austrian business delegation to Bahrain to learn about the investment opportunities the Kingdom has to offer. The delegation, led by Mr. Gerd Bommer, Commercial Counsellor in the Austrian Embassy in Doha, consisted of representatives from 12 Austrian companies representing various sectors such as financial services, leisure, consultancy, ICT, electronics, and manufacturing.
The delegation were briefed on the various opportunities Bahrain provide Austrian investors and provided a chance for the members to network with Bahraini counterparts, where the EDB organised 15 B2B meetings for the delegation with Bahraini companies to discuss potential cooperation and joint ventures.
Iraqi Delegation discuss potential joint investments with EDB
The EDB discussed potential investment opportunities with an Iraqi business delegation that visited the Kingdom, with aims to strengthen trade between the two countries. The delegation included representatives from the sectors trade, electronics, food and beverages, ICT, construction and retail.
The delegation’s visit followed the establishment of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI)’s Bahraini-Iraqi Joint Business Council in November and its announcement to establish a joint holding company, with a $5million initial capital and invitation for investors from both sides to contribute.
14 Japanese companies discuss potential joint trade with Bahrain
Representatives from 14 Japanese companies met with EDB officials to learn about business opportunities the Kingdom provides to companies looking to expand their operations to the region. The delegates, which included representatives from 14 companies from various Japanese food manufacturing and other commercial products sectors, also visited Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP) and held individual meetings with their Bahraini counterparts as part of a session being hosted by the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).