High-level Bahrain business delegation to visit China

A high-level Bahrain business delegation has arrived in China on a visit organized by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) aiming to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries. 
This comes following the official visit of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in September 2013, and two successful business roadshows held in 2014 and 2015.

Bahrain has been invited to participate at the China High Trade Fair by His Excellency Xu Qin, Mayor of Shenzhen, who in September this year visited the Kingdom to meet with Chinese business and to discuss cooperation on a number of sectors of mutual interest to Bahrain and Shenzhen, including financial services, transport and logistics.

The Bahraini delegation consists of senior officials from the Capital Governorate, the EDB, Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI), Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, Osool and several representatives from the private sector. 

In addition to attending several important events in the technology sector, business forums, and a number of meetings with high level officials from Shenzhen and Hong Kong, the delegation will also take part at the China High Tech Fair, the most prominent high-end technology event in China. The Fair, which is organised annually by several Chinese ministries and government agencies, highlights the latest trends in China’s technology sector and plays an important role in the implementation of the national development strategies for China. 

Shaikh Hesham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, Capital Governor and Head of Bahrain’s Business Delegation commented: 
"High-level visits such as this one between our two countries emphasise the continuous efforts of officials to strengthen bilateral relations and to encourage mutual cooperation, which will in turn be of great benefit to the people of both Bahrain and China. The visit reflects our mutual desire to expand cooperation on all levels. Our long-established bilateral relations are based on strong and solid foundations, and this visit gives us the opportunity to increase the level of cooperation between the cities of Shenzhen and Manama. It also allows us to share experiences and establish a prosperous partnership between Bahrain and China, which will flourish due to the shared strategic visions of our two countries."

Mr. Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the Bahrain EDB commented: 
"This visit to Shenzhen and Hong Kong takes the EDB’s efforts to the next level in terms of attracting Chinese investment and strengthening the partnership between the Bahraini and Chinese business sectors. 

"We are particularly excited by the opportunity to be exhibiting at the China High Tech Fair. Bahrain is aiming to operate as the start-up hub for the GCC region, and with more Chinese businesses on board, as one of the world’s fastest growing nations, it will drive robust growth for the tech sector in the GCC."

The EDB’s prioritises developing and attracting investment to sectors that offer competitive advantages for investors such as Financial Services, ICT, Tourism, Manufacturing, Transportation and Logistics Services and to create high-quality jobs for Bahrainis.

This is the third consecutive year that a Bahrain delegation has visited China and Hong Kong to strengthen economic ties. Last year Bahrain was the guest country of honour at the China International Fair for Investment & Trade, and the delegation visited several of China’s commercial centres, signing a total of 15 agreements. In 2014 the delegation conducted a 10-day visit to China and Hong Kong during which 13 MoUs were signed with Chinese businesses and trade organisations. 

Non-oil trade between Bahrain and China was valued at around USD$1.8 million in 2015. Mechanical and electrical equipment, represent the largest imports to Bahrain, while chemicals were the leading exports to China that same year.