As part of the Gateway Gulf Investment Forum, which is being held under the patronage of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani participated in the discussion panel   under title of “A New Gulf Paradigm”. The panel moderated by Richard Quest from CNN News Network.

During the panel, they discussed number of issues related to the role of governments and the private sector in developing and shifting the GCC economies. In addition to the need of the private sector to lead this new change in the region and the challenges facing investment in the GCC countries; and the success achieved by these countries in developing their economic systems. This reflects in the economic reality and growth witnessed by some economic sectors. And the oil prices resulted GCC tendency to develop and activate other economic sectors and attract more international companies and modern technology.

The panel was attended by, Minister of Commerce and Industry of Kuwait HE Khalid bin Nasser Al Rowdan, Jassim Alseddiqi from Abu Dhabi Financial Group and Mohammed Alshaya from Alshaya Group.

Manama, 7th May 2018 – Under the patronage H.E the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Ariston Thermo today inaugurates a new production plant at the Bahrain International Investment Park. The ceremony attended by H.E. Domenico Bellato, Ambassador of Italy to the Kingdom of Bahrain and Dr. Carlo Andreatini, Ariston Thermo Rapid Development Countries and Americas Director.
H.E. Zayed R. Alzayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism said: “We are very pleased to welcome Ariston Thermo to Bahrain. The selection of BIIP for Ariston’s first manufacturing facility in the region demonstrates the quality of the location and the competitive advantages which Bahrain has to offer to global companies.” Alzayani stated that “This project was an important one for Bahrain as it met several key objectives, enabling the growth and diversification of Bahrain’s economy, as well as creating quality skilled jobs for Bahrainis in the fields of engineering and business. The Ministry and Ariston are partners for the long-haul and the Ministry will do everything in its capacity to provide the right support to facilitate the company's success.”
Commenting on the inauguration, H.E. Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, said: “Ariston Thermo’s new plant is a truly welcome addition to the Bahrain International Investment Park.  The plant’s opening is a clear indication of the vast potential and advantages that the manufacturing industry in Bahrain provides, and further reinforces the Kingdom’s position as the ideal hub to meet growing regional demand.
“When we were in Italy last year I was struck by how much interest there was from businesses there in the GCC opportunity, so I am delighted to be able to welcome Ariston Thermo to the region.”
The new plant, located in a total area of 7,000 square meters and employing 50 people, will manufacture storage electric water heaters branded Ariston that will be mainly marketed in the Middle East and North Africa. The new plant provides a maximum annual production capacity of up to 250,000 electric water heaters.
The new production site in Bahrain will be in line with the sustainable model of the Group, at the forefront of innovation and in respect of the environment.
 “I would like to warmly thank all the Kingdom of Bahrain authorities for the welcome and the support received” - commented Carlo Andreatini, Ariston Thermo Rapid Development Countries and Americas Director - “With this new production site in Bahrain we aim to strengthen our presence in this area, where Ariston brand is already leading the water heating category for many years. Keeping production close to the most important markets is indeed a key pillar of our Group’s growth strategy that allows us to better and promptly respond to the specific needs of our customers.”

The Undersecretary of Commerce Affairs Mr. Nader Al Moayyed opens the International Women's Day Exhibition. The exhibition is organized by the Savings and Loaning Society of the Ministry, Takafo’a Committee in coordination with Supreme Council for Women and the Financial Harbour Company. A number of institutions, commercial companies and productive families participated.

The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani received Chairman of the Bahraini side of Bahraini-Iraqi joint Business Council Mr. Khalaf Hujair.

During the meeting, the minister reviewed a number of topics related to economic affairs and the development of the commercial sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain, pointing to the importance of this sector and its role in stimulating trade movement in the country. He also stressed the continuous support of the leadership and the government for the private sector as a partner in the economic growth.

​The Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani received a group of students from Northeastern University, accompanied by Associate Vice President of International Advancement Mr. Robert Dietrich, Director of International programs, Professor Entrepreneurship and Innovation Mr. Greg Collier and Director of Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo Mr. Bader A.Aziz Kanoo.

The minister acquainted the students about the economic and tourism status in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He also briefed them about small and medium enterprises, which constitute more than 90% of the national economy.

Then the students toured the ministry where they were acquainted with the procedures and methods of work in the Commercial Registration Directorate and Precious Metals & Gem Testing Directorate in addition to the Bahrain Bourse.

أشاد وزير الصناعة والتجارة والسياحة سعادة السيد زايد بن راشد الزياني بالدور الكبير الذي تلعبه منظمة السياحة العربية في وتعزيز التعاون والعمل المشترك بين كافة الدول الأعضاء في المنظمة وإبراز المقومات السياحية التي تمتلكها المنطقة العربية على النطاق العالمي، إضافة إلى جهودها في التنسيق الذي يصب في صالح القطاع السياحي في المنطقة العربية بشكل عام.

جاء ذلك خلال الاجتماع الذي عقده سعادة الوزير اليوم مع رئيس المنظمة العربية للسياحة التابعة لجامعة الدول العربية، وعضو لجنة التنسيق العليا للعمل العربي المشترك معالي الدكتور بندر بن فهد آل فهيد، وبحضور سعادة الشيخ خالد بن حمود آل خليفة الرئيس التنفيذي لهيئة البحرين للسياحة والمعارض وذلك في إطار الاحتفال بيوم السياحة العربي بنسخته الخامسة على أرض مملكة البحرين.

وقد تم خلال الاجتماع استعراض العديد من الموضوعات ذات الصلة بقطاع السياحة والمعارض والمؤتمرات وسبل الاستفادة من الخبرات والتجارب العالمية في هذا المجال، حيث تمت مناقشة واستعراض أهم ملامح الخطة الاستراتيجية للسياحة في مملكة البحرين والمعدة من قبل هيئة البحرين للسياحة والمعارض ويتم ترجمتها على أرض الواقع، مشدداً سعادة الوزير على الدور اللافت والكبير الذي تقوم به هيئة البحرين للسياحة والمعارض في تنفيذ توجهات ورؤية البحرين الاقتصادية التي تضع القطاع السياحي في مقدمة أولوياتها.

وفي تصريحه بهذا الخصوص قال سعادته: "إن حكومة البحرين تعمل وبشكل مستمر على تطوير القطاعات الاقتصادية وتحديث التشريعات والأنظمة ذات العلاقة بالشكل الذي يتواكب والمتغيرات الإقليمية والعالمية، وفي هذا الصدد تولي الحكومة الموقرة اهتماماً بالغاً لقطاع السياحة والمعارض في البلاد وتعمل على تعزيزه وتطويره بالشكل الذي يتوائم مع استرتيجياتها  ورؤاها المستقبلية وعلى رأسها رؤية البحرين الاقتصادية 2030".​

The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani received newly-appointed US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mr. Justin Siberell.

During the meeting, they reviewed a number of common issues and the development of bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America, especially in light of the support of both leaderships in enhancing these relations which contributed in signing agreements such as FTA which has doubled the trade exchange between the two countries. 

The meeting was attended by Undersecretary of Commerce Affairs Eng. Nader Al Moayyed, Assistant Undersecretary of Foreign Trade Ms. Eman Al Doseri and Economic & Commercial Officer of the US Embassy Mr. Gary Schumann.

The Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani received the Executive Director of U.S. - Bahrain Business Council Ms. Jennifer Miel in presence of Co-Chair of U.S.-Bahrain Business Council Mr. Khalid Al-Zayani and President of AmCham Bahrain Mr. Qays Zu’bi, and a number of Council’s members who are currently visiting the Kingdom of Bahrain in the framework of “Discover America Week”.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral and long standing economic relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America, which crowned recently with the official visit made by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister where a series of trade agreements were signed between both sides in economy, trade, industry, oil and aviation fields.

The minister also referred to the continuous efforts undertaken by the two governments to develop and enhance those relations the aspirations of the leaders of both countries, especially in light of agreements and mutual understandings which include the Free Trade Agreement.

The minister stressed the importance of mutual visits and joint activities and the importance of joint business councils in developing various initiatives and projects.