Under the patronage of HE Zayed R. Alzayani, the Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism, Undersecretary of Commerce Affairs Mr. Nader Al Moayyed opened

Autumn Fair 2019 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre. The Fair is organized by Arabian Exhibition Management and runs from 23 - 31 January 2019.

This year's 30^th   edition of Autumn Fair, spanning over 15,400 square meters of exhibition space, will bring together 650 exhibitors from 18 countries to display a wide-range of products including arts and crafts, boutiques and fashion, electrical goods and appliances, furniture and furnishings, houseware and decors, kitchenware, leather goods, shoes, cosmetics, toys, textiles, specialty foods and many more.  This year's Bahraini business participants, as in the past, will be offering special deals to visitors.

The Autumn Fair is the biggest gathering of distributors, retailers and agents presenting the widest range of choices and competitive prices to shoppers. It is expected to attract large number of visitors and shoppers from inside and outside of Bahrain mainly from the Kingdom and GCC particularly Saudi Arabia. Counties participating this year includes: Bahrain, China, Egypt, India, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

On the sideline of Autumn Fair 2019, Undersecretary of Commerce Affairs Mr. Nader Al Moayyed met Chairman of the Commercial Representation Authority Ahmed Antar, in presence of Assistant Undersecretary of Foreign Trade Ms. Eman Aldoseri and Director of Foreign Trade Relations Sheikh Hamad bin Salman Al Khalifa.

During the meeting, they reviewed the bilateral economic relations between the Bahrain and Egypt. Undersecretary praised the remarkable cooperation between the economic sectors in both countries and the efforts undertaken by the government and private sectors. At the same time, he stressed the Government's support for all steps and initiatives that would develop the relations to contribute in raising the economic growth rates in general.

The Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani affirmed that embracing a global company and regional investments such Al Sane Group is a positive indicator to the Kingdom to attract the regional and global  investments. 

This came during a meeting held by the Minister with the Group Chairman & CEO of A.R. Al Sane Group and Sons Mr. Jameel Abdul Razzaq Al Sane and a number of board members, in presence of Undersecretary of Industry Affairs Mr. Osama Alorrayedh. 

During the meeting, they reviewed a number of topics related economic and commercial development in the Kingdom of Bahrain, noting to the importance of this sector in revitalizing the trade movement in the country. The minister confirmed government continuous support to the private sector especially in light of their remarkable initiatives and successful steps.

It is worth noting that Al Sane and & Partners Soft Drinks Company have started their operations in the Kingdom of Bahrain since the beginning of the nineties of the last century, and considered one of the largest bottled water plant in the Kingdom. 

The Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani received in his office Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain Mr. Igor Kremnev.

Both sides reviewed the bilateral relations between Bahrain Russian, noting to the importance of mutual visits and joint economic activities in enhancing bilateral relations. In this regard, the minister pointed out that the Kingdom of Bahrain has a welcoming investment environment, privileges, and facilities granted by the government to investors from all over the world, in addition to investment legislation, which makes Bahrain the perfect choice for investors.

The Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani received chairman of the Economic and Financial Affairs Committee of the Shura Council Mr. Khalid Al Maskati, accompanied by a number of committee members.

During the meeting, they reviewed various issues and topics related to the economic developments in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the minister expressed his appreciation to all efforts undertaken by the Shura Council to enhance the economic sector.  The minister stressed ministry’s readiness to provide all kind of support to the Shura Council, noting to the keenness of the ministry to coordinate with all bodies to achieve government’s strategies and Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.

The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani met German Business delegation headed by Mr. Roland Meissner in the framework of their visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

During the meeting, they reviewed a number of economic issues, focusing on the joint economic relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain Germany and ways to enhance them and activate joint agreements between the private sector on both countries. The Minister stressed in this regard the importance of such visits and mutual meetings in developing these relations.

The Minister also highlighted the importance role of the private sector in consolidating mutual relations and increasing trade volume, referring to the outstanding facilities granted by the government of Bahrain to investors from all over the world. 

The Minister of Industry, Commerce and tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani praised the initiatives and steps of international institutions and companies that are based in Bahrain or wish to work in Bahrain, noting the importance of Arla, one of the largest international companies operating in food industry. 

This came during a meeting held by the Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani with Arla Foods Vice President Mr. Rasmus Kjedsen and Corporate & Government Affairs Lead MEA - Mondelēz Egypt Foods Ms. Ola Loutfi, in presence of Undersecretary of Industry Affairs Mr. Osama Alorrayedh. 

On this occasion the Minister said, ‘The Bahrain International Investment Park represented a major investment by the government in the industrial infrastructure of Bahrain. The addition of Arla Foods as a client in the Park is a testament to the quality of the location and the competitive advantages that Bahrain has to offer to international companies.’ He added that ‘This investment greatly strengthens Bahrain's position as a global destination for manufacturing excellence. We wish Arla and Mondelēz every success and we will continue to provide every support possible as they grow their business in Bahrain.’

Arla Foods have a turnover of over $11.4bn, have a presence in over 120 countries and are recognized as one of the global leaders in the food industry with household brands such as Arla®, Lurpak® and Castello®.

Mondelez International, opened its $40 million, state-of-the-art Bahrain cheese and powdered beverages manufacturing plant in April 2008 in the Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP), employing circa 180 people in their facility manufacturing Kraft Cheese and Tang powdered beverages that are exported globally from Bahrain. Last year Mondelēz International opened a second manufacturing facility, a $90m ‘Factory of the Future’, producing their famous Oreo cookie and Barni cakes.  

The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani received Executive Regional Director of Al Futtaim Group - Carefour Mr. Herve Majidier in presence of Undersecretary of Commerce Affairs Mr. Nader Al Moayyed, Assistant Undersecretary for Domestic Trade, Hameed Yousif Rahma and Director of Consumer Protection Mr. Snan Ali Aljabery, where they discussed a number of issues of economic affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

On this occasion, the minister said that “the Kingdom of Bahrain has an attractive and friendly investment environment for investors from all over the world. We welcome various projects with high added value to the national economy and we are working constantly working to attract projects that create jobs for Bahrainis.”