Bahrain builds Russia trade links

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain is positioning itself as the region’s next re-export powerhouse, using its participation at a major Russian economic forum to court investment, deepen private-sector ties, and showcase its logistics edge to international partners.

During his participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2025, His Excellency Sameer Nass, Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that promoting the national economy and enhancing international investments is a strategic priority for the Kingdom. H.E. underlined Bahrain’s ambition to become a key re-export platform, citing its strategic location and advanced logistics capabilities as core advantages.

“Russia is an important partner for Bahrain,” H.E. Nass said, leading a Chamber delegation to the event, which drew over 20,000 global participants from 140 countries. “Our bilateral ties continue to evolve, especially in sectors like manufacturing and technology transfer, where we see immense opportunity,” H.E. sated.

Gateway ambitions

H.E. Nass highlighted Bahrain’s plans to repurpose its logistics strength into a regional re-packaging and distribution centre. His Excellency emphasised the potential for joint ventures between Bahraini and Russian firms to create competitive advantages in diversified industrial sectors, supporting the Kingdom’s broader vision of economic diversification.

The Chamber, H.E. added, is intensifying its efforts to form durable global partnerships that support Bahrain’s position as an investment-friendly business hub and attract new capital into fields such as technology, manufacturing, and trade logistics.

Private-sector diplomacy

The Chamber’s First Vice Chairman, Khalid Najibi, who also chairs the Bahraini side of the Bahrain-Russia Business Council, said the SPIEF platform is being used to connect private sectors across both countries. “We’re promoting Bahrain’s business environment and exploring new strategic alliances,” he noted, pointing to the forum as an opportunity to unlock joint investment projects and expand private-sector cooperation.

Najibi said particular attention is being given to SMEs and emerging Bahraini enterprises that stand to benefit from direct engagement with Russian counterparts. SME spotlight Board Member Ahmed Al-Saloom reinforced the Chamber’s focus on the small and medium-sized enterprise sector, calling it the foundation of Bahrain’s commercial structure. He praised the forum for offering SMEs visibility on a global stage and access to new foreign market opportunities.

He credited the Government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for prioritising SME development within the Kingdom’s economic growth strategy.

As SPIEF continues to serve as a global marketplace for strategic partnerships, Bahrain is using the platform to shift its trade model toward high-value re-export services, forging new business pathways in a changing global economy.