Within the framework of the meetings of the Supreme Committee of the Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Integrated Industrial Partnership was held today, chaired by H.E. Ms. Eman Ahmed Al-Doseri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, with the participation of Committee members and chairmen, in addition to representatives of industrial companies in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco.

The meeting included workshops and discussions on the topics of metals and automobiles, agriculture and food, petrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals. As well as a number of proposals and projects to prepare the final report to be presented to the Supreme Committee, regarding the latest achievements and proposals to develop and empower the industrial sector in these countries.​

H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro Minister of Industry and Commerce stressed the depth of the historical relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the UK, stressing the importance of enhancing cooperation in trade and investment by expanding trade exchange to develop competitiveness and trade and investment relations.

This came during a meeting between the Minister of Industry and Commerce Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro and RT Hon Greg Hands, British Minister of State for Trade Policy, and his accompanying delegation, in the presence of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Ms. Eman Ahmed Al Doseri, and a number of officials from both sides.

The Minister stressed Bahrain's keenness to enhance aspects of bilateral cooperation with the UK in all fields, especially trade, pointing to the important role of the private sector in both countries, which contributes significantly to achieving common goals.

For his part, the British Minister of State for Trade Policy praised Bahrain's role as a prominent economic center in the region and expressed his desire to further enhance bilateral cooperation.​

​The Joint Economic Committee between the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry held its 42^nd meeting at the BCCI headquarters, where the Ministry's side was chaired by H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, and the BCCI's side was chaired by its Chairman H.E. Mr. Sameer Nass, in the presence of a number of officials and members of the Joint Economic Committee from both sides.

On this occasion, His Excellency Fakhro stressed the great role played by the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, pointing out that the meetings of the joint economic committee come from the Ministry's adopted approach in cooperation, coordination, and consultation with the Chamber in all common topics. Expressing his continuous support for all initiatives that contribute to developing the economic sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain, with constant coordination with the Chamber as a representative of the sector.

For his part, H.E. Mr. Sameer Nass, Chairman of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, affirmed that concerted efforts between the public and private sectors are the best way to enhance various development paths and increase contribution to the national economy, indicating that the Chamber's Board of Directors and its permanent committees are keen to cooperate with various ministries and government bodies related to economic affairs to achieve interdependence and integration to reach the desired goals of comprehensive economic development, noting the efforts of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in serving the commercial street by developing its system and updating initiatives according to the latest global economic standards.

Furthermore, the meeting discussed a number of topics, including: the Green Factory Seal, developments of the Integrated Industrial Partnership Meetings hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as a visual presentation on the Implementation Lab project, and a number of topics of strategic importance to promote the industrial and commercial sectors in Bahrain and achieve sustainable growth, in addition to recommendations that will enhance the business environment, attract investments and promote trade.

In correlation with the national celebrations, H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, awarded commercial establishments benefiting from the national initiative launched by the Consumer Protection Directorate at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to exempt fees for promotional campaigns and extend periods of commercial discounts for the commercial sector.

The National Initiative of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce was launched at the start of November 2023 until the end of December 2023, and witnessed a great turnout from the owners of shops and commercial establishments in all governorates of the Kingdom of Bahrain, amounting to 1,122 establishments.

Notably, the National Initiative to exempt fees for promotional campaigns and extend periods of commercial discounts came from the Ministry's keenness to encourage the participation of the commercial sector in the celebrations of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and to enhance the consumer movement. ​

In accordance with the provisions of the ministerial decision issued in this regard, the Consumer Protection Directorate at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce grants licenses for promotional campaigns, commercial discounts and prize draws before they are implemented by commercial establishments in Bahraini local markets.

H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro Minister of Industry and Commerce received in his office today Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Lebanon to the Kingdom of Bahrain Mirna Khouli.​

During the meeting, HE the Minister of Industry and Commerce affirmed the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of Lebanon, and discussed a number of issues of common interest.

The Commercial Records System (Sijilat) won the Certificate of Excellence at the GCC Digital Government Award in the category (Best Digital Service). This was announced during the second edition of the Digital Government Forum held under the slogan (Our Future Now) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, praised (Sijilat) upon receiving this honorable award for its distinguished contribution to promoting digital transformation, and attracting more investments to achieve economic growth, which reflects the efficiency and efforts of the team behind (Sijilat), and their sincerity and dedication to achieve satisfying results, and facilitating procedures for clients and beneficiaries inside and outside Bahrain.

Fakhro expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the (Sijilat) system team for their outstanding performance, excellence and success, which contributed to developing the Ministry's digital system, and enhancing government services in general, stressing the keenness to continue moving forward with government services, and wishing all employees of the Ministry continued success.

Notably, Bahrain Open Data Portal project “data.gov.bh" won the category of (Best Open Data Initiative), while the Commercial Registration System "Sijilat" qualified for (Best Digital Service), and the National Suggestions and Complaints System "Tawasul" qualified for (Best Digital Community Engagement). Both systems achieved a Certificate of Excellence by reaching the final round of competing projects within their categories.​

H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro Minister of Industry and Commerce received the newly appointed Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Kingdom of Bahrain H.E. Mrs. Reham Abdulameed Mahmood.

His Excellency the Minister welcomed the ambassador and praised the depth of bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arab Republic of Egypt, affirming the need to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in various fields, especially regarding the development of the industrial, commercial and economic sectors, and expressing best wishes to the ambassador in her diplomatic duties.

For her part, the Ambassador affirmed her country's interest in expanding various states of cooperation with the Kingdom of Bahrain, wishing the Kingdom and its people continued progress and prosperity.​

H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce met with Michael Hager, Director of the Council of the European Commissioner for Trade, on the sidelines of the Seventh GCC-EU Business Forum.

The meeting reviewed the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the European Union, and ways to enhance cooperation mechanisms, where the Minister praised the distinguished relations between the two sides, and their common keenness to strengthen ties and expand areas of cooperation.

The Minister also referred to the magnitude of efforts to organize this business forum, which resulted in a number of recommendations in support of the goals and aspirations aimed at promoting a sustainable and diversified economy.​