Boosting relations with Bahrain and Pakistan
Manama : Renewed efforts were made to boost the business and trade relations between Bahrain and Pakistan during a high level conference held yesterday.
Discussions related to strengthening ties between Bahrain and Pakistan, took place at the Pakistan Bahrain Business opportunities conference held at the Gulf Convention Centre. Bahraini and Pakistani officials and businessmen took part in the conference organised by the Pakistan Embassy.
Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani co-chaired the event along with Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce, Khurram Dastgir Khan. Experts from Pakistan gave various presentations on opportunities for Bahrain in Pakistan, while Bahraini officials from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, EDB and Mumtalakat spoke on the opportunities for Pakistani businessmen in Bahrain. MoUs between Bahrain and Pakistan, for the benefit of the business community, were also signed yesterday.
Bahrain can be Pakistan’s gateway to GCC
Pakistan Ambassador Javed Malik said that Pakistan is keen on upgrading the business, commerce and trade relationship with Bahrain.
“Countries that do business together are the ones that have strong bonds which continue to grow. This forum is an attempt to consolidate and upgrade our relationship not only Bahrain, but also with all the GCC countries, and Bahrain can be a gateway to the GCC,” he said.
Minister gives key note speech
In his keynote speech Al Zayani explained the many factors that make Bahrain an attractive country for foreign investors.
“We are confident that the deep roots between Bahrain and Pakistan can form a strong foundation for our future alliances . Connectivity between our two countries has never been better, with 30 direct flights a week linking Bahrain with six major airports in Pakistan.”
“Our cost of operation is lower by 34 percent when compared to Doha and Dubai. Bahrain over the centuries has always been an Oasis of peace and has welcomed visitors from all over the world, thereby creating a cosmopolitan society,” he said.
Al Zayani also encouraged Pakistani brothers to utilise Bahrain as a hub in entering the GCC.
“To our Bahraini business community, I encourage you to take a deeper look into Pakistan as a prominent trading and investment partner,” he said.
Repeated efforts expected
Khan said that the conference marks the renewed effort to boost Bahrain-Pakistan relations.
“The holding of this conference is a step in the right direction and it brings a new economic aspect to the historic positive relations between Pakistan and Bahrain. I am confident that this conference, although the first, will be repeated in both countries,” he said
“We expect that in the coming year we can hold a Pakistan-Bahrain conference to be held in Pakistan. We are hoping that this will become a regular annual feature to bring the business communities together,” he added.
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