Thani Al Zeyoudi: Significant Developments in Fraternal Relations Leading to a Robust and Sustainable Strategic Partnership
Abdullah Fakhro: Mutual Commitment to Enhance Cooperation Across Various Sectors
Yesterday, the Bahraini-Emirati Business Forum commenced in Manama, featuring prominent officials from both nations alongside a selection of representatives from major Emirati and Bahraini companies engaged in sectors of mutual interest.
His Excellency Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, led a high-level Emirati delegation to participate in the forum’s activities.
In his keynote address, Dr. Al Zeyoudi emphasized that the organization of the Bahraini-Emirati Business Forum occurs at a time when the fraternal ties between the two brotherly nations are experiencing significant advancements, culminating in a firmly established and sustainable strategic partnership across various dimensions, particularly in economic, commercial, and investment relations.
He stated, “These positive developments in the strategic partnership between the two countries derive their momentum from the visionary outlook and shared determination of the leaderships of both nations to continue elevating these relations to new heights that fulfill the mutual developmental aspirations of our peoples.”
Moreover, he highlighted the role of reciprocal visits and friendly meetings between His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
He noted that non-oil bilateral trade witnessed a growth of 23% in 2024, reaching 33.9 billion dirhams, continuing the trajectory of mutual commercial prosperity between the two countries over decades, where non-oil bilateral trade recorded an annual growth rate of 11% between 2015 and 2024, the fastest among the UAE’s trade partners in the GCC region.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the UAE continues to strengthen its position as the second-largest trading partner of Bahrain, accounting for 10.4% of the Kingdom’s total trade with the world, and is the third-largest international investor in Bahrain, with a 10% share of the cumulative direct investment stock within the Kingdom.
A New Milestone
On his part, Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Trade in the Kingdom of Bahrain, stated that the Bahraini-Emirati Business Forum represents a new milestone in the established partnership between the two countries, reaffirming the mutual commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation across various economic sectors.
He elaborated that the forum embodies the shared conviction that economic integration is not only achieved through the exchange of goods and investments but also through activating agreements and memorandums of understanding signed between the two nations, referring to the recent memorandum on integration in national value-added programs which allows products manufactured in either country to be treated as national products in the other.
He announced the inauguration of the Emirati Investor Center at the headquarters of the Bahraini Ministry of Industry and Trade, in accordance with the signed memorandum of understanding.
The forum’s agenda included discussion sessions and presentations featuring a group of senior officials and business leaders from both sides, alongside bilateral meetings among business leaders and representatives of major Emirati and Bahraini firms.
Emirati Investor Center
In a related context, Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi and the accompanying delegation visited the recently opened Emirati Investor Center, where he learned about the services provided to investors, including company formation, partner addition, investment activity information, and addressing all needs of Emirati investors.
Fiisal Ahmad Saleh, Assistant Undersecretary for Commercial Registration and Companies at the Bahraini Ministry of Industry and Trade, remarked, “The Emirati Investor Center serves as an important gateway for Emirati investors, with the current number exceeding 1,500 Emirati investors working across various sectors and fields in the Kingdom of Bahrain.”
The Emirati delegation participating in the forum included Fahad Mohammed Salem bin Kardous Al Amri, Ambassador of the UAE to Bahrain, Jumaa Al Kit, Assistant Undersecretary for Foreign Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Economy, Marwan Abdullah Al Zaabi, Assistant Undersecretary for Regions at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Captain Mohammed Jumaa Al Shamisi, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports Group, Ali bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, First Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with several free zone CEOs and a number of senior government officials from relevant ministries and departments, business leaders, and representatives from major Emirati companies across diverse sectors.