H.E. Minister of Industry and Commerce Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro affirmed the deep relations that tie Bahrain and India, recalling their historical extension, especially at the commercial level.

This came during a luncheon organized by Bahrain-India Society where the Minister of Industry and Commerce participated as a keynote speaker, in the presence of Indian Ambassador Mr. Piyush Shrivastav, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bahrain India Society Mr. Abdulrahman Juma, and a number of Society members.

During the event, the Minister reviewed a number of topics and issues of common interest, including the initial positive results of the official visit of the Bahraini economic delegation headed by His Excellency to India during March 2023, which included several meetings with senior officials and prominent leaders in the Indian business and private sector, as well as various events that stressed the importance of the great role played by the private sector in diversifying and developing the economy. H.E. Fakhro also highlighted the attractive investment environment in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the privileges and facilities provided by the government to investors inside and outside of Bahrain.​

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and in cooperation with the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, held a workshop for the private sector on the Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development, as part of the Kingdom of Bahrain's preparations to host the fourth meeting of the executive and higher committees of the Partnership this year. The workshop aims to introduce new companies to the Integrated Industrial Partnership and its objectives, collect views on enablers and project proposals, in addition to introducing the UAE ADQ Holding Company, which allocated a $10 billion investment fund for projects resulting from this Partnership, in addition to other financing services.

On this occasion, H.E. Ms. Eman Ahmed Al-Doseri, Undersecretary of the Ministry and member of the Executive Committee for Integrated Industrial Partnership, said: "This workshop comes in the context of Bahrain's accession to the Basic Law of the Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development in 2022, which translates the visions of the country's leadership in relying on assets, capabilities and expertise offered by the Partnership countries, which provide industrial opportunities that contribute to diversifying the economy, and increasing the competitiveness and flexibility of the industrial sector, as the industrial sector is one of the main pillars of economic diversification.  H.E. added: "The government's support to the industrial sector encourages us to launch initiatives that support this sector in line with the industrial sector strategy launched within the economic recovery plan, which considers increasing the efficiency of supply chains through industrial integration one of its most important pillars."

 
Al Doseri added: "Holding this workshop in strategic partnership with the BCCI is the best evidence of the importance of the role of the private sector in the success of this vital initiative as it is the main engine of growth."

The workshop was presented by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Al Shamsi, UAE Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Development at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Industrial Advisor at the Ministry, Mr. Fadi Shafiq Al-Qaed, in the presence of a number of representatives of the private sector and the government sector in Bahrain.

The Kingdom of Bahrain entered this partnership along with the UAE, Jordan and Egypt with the aim of securing the supply chain and creating self-sufficiency, localizing industries and integrating value chains, and encouraging integrated value-added industries that will achieve sustainable economic development and contribute to creating promising job opportunities for citizens in targeted industries such as agriculture, food, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, textiles and clothing, metals, petrochemicals and plastics.​

In an aim to enhance communication between the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the private sector, H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce met with a number of entrepreneurs in an open discussion organized by the business incubator "The Collective Hub" in Yateem Center, the incubator is specialized in gathering start-ups, creators and investors under one roof, in order to identify the most important pillars of the entrepreneurship environment in Bahrain.

This gathering reflects the Ministry's commitment to keep close communication with the business community and develop policies to enhance the development of SMEs and boost their business, by promoting local products, provide employment, and easing export.

The Minister listened to the experiences of entrepreneurs and owners of institutions and reviewed the developments of their business, in addition to identifying the most important challenges they face, in an effort to facilitate and simplify procedures and find appropriate solutions in coordination with relevant authorities. H.E. praised the growth of SMEs in Bahrain, noting that the Ministry spares no effort enhance and support this sector.​
 

The discussion was led by Mr. Suhail Algosaibi, Chairman of Tenmou Company, amidst enthusiastic interaction from attendees, who appreciated the opportunity to communicate with decision makers to convey their views and suggestions to enhance the business environment in Bahrain. Moreover, the Minister affirmed his aspiration to continue to hold these meetings periodically in an aim to develop the entrepreneurship sector and small and medium enterprises.

H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, met with the Chairman of the Technology and Digital Economy Committee at the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Alharith Alatawi, and a number of Committee members, where they reviewed Bahrain's economic developments in general and digital economy in particular.

Commending BCCI's remarkable efforts in promoting investment opportunities in the Kingdom of Bahrain, HE the Minister praised the pivotal role it plays in supporting technology and digital economy, noting in this regard the importance of cooperation between the Ministry and the Chamber to promote the economic sector and continue to push the economy to achieve goals and aspirations.

Moreover, the meeting discussed the committee's most important upcoming economic programs and events regarding the technological and digital sector.

 H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, meets the Chairman of BCCI Technology and Digital Economy Committee.​

H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro Minister of Industry and Commerce received H.E. Anne Gallandoan Lewis, Philippine Ambassador-designate, where they discussed areas of cooperation between the two countries.

The Minister HE the Ambassador, and reviewed bilateral relations and the positive developments they are witnessing at various levels, noting the importance of continuing work to consolidate and develop these relations, especially in the industrial and commercial fields to achieve common goals and aspirations. 

For her part, the Ambassador of the Philippines expressed her sincere thanks and appreciation to the Minister of Industry and Commerce, hailing Bahrain's efforts towards strengthening the bonds of cooperation between the two countries in all fields, and looking forward to strengthening bilateral economic relations and widening aspects of cooperation in the best interest of both nations and their people.​

H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce received CEO of the Arab Financial Services (AFS) Mr. Samer Soliman, in the presence of a number of officials from both sides, during which a number of topics related to financial services were reviewed.

The Minister noted the support the banking sector receives as a prominent tributary to attracting investments and developing national economy, praising the innovative services and solutions provided by the Arab Financial Services to companies and consumers alike, which contributed to the formation of advanced expertise in the world of finance and business, noting the pivotal role played by such companies in their various specialties in supporting Bahrain's commercial movement and economic development.​

H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce received in his officed this morning Turkish Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain Essen Çakil, where they discussed a number of topics of common interest.

H.E the Minister praised the strength of the economic relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Turkey, which continue to develop and progress with the support of both countries' governments.

For her part, the Ambassador expressed her sincere appreciation to the Minister of Industry and Commerce, praising the Bahraini efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in all fields to achieve goals and aspirations

On the sidelines of the 10^th session of the Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh, H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, met with Saudi Minister of Investment Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Falih, in the presence of a number of officials from both sides.

The meeting reviewed the long-standing relations between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, stressing Bahrain's support for all initiatives and projects that would strengthen and develop these relations to serve the interests of both nations.

The minister Hailed Saudi Arabia's aspirations and strategic steps to widen horizons through closer trade and economic cooperation between the Arab and Chinese business communities, and exploring qualitative investment opportunities in many sectors, hoping that the conference will achieve its ambitious goals.