January 25, 2017
CIMC Vehicle Group – part of China International Marine Containers (CIMC), the world’s largest container and trailer company – is to build a new reefer trailer manufacturing and export hub in Bahrain. Temperature-controlled reefer trailers are used to transport perishable goods.
A diversified group worth almost USD 8 billion, CIMC has over 300 member businesses, 60,000 staff and a sales network covering more than 100 countries. After reaching success in the United States, this is the third Reefer trailer manufacturing plant CIMC set up overseas.
Much like Armacell, CIMC was attracted by our advanced infrastructure that tightly links port, airport, logistics zones and road network for fast throughput; our proximity to Saudi Arabia and central Gulf location that gives easy access to the GCC and wider Middle East; and our cost-competitiveness, with significantly lower industrial operating costs than neighbouring hubs.
In addition, Ms. Teresa Tan, CFO of CIMC Vehicle Group says: “…We believe Bahrain’s highly skilled workforce and open business environment provide us the perfect platform for our next growth phase.”
The EDB helped smooth the way for CIMC’s inception, with research into Bahrain’s investment climate and full registration and set-up support.
An ever-developing partnership
China and Bahrain have been trading for thousands of years along the original Silk Road. Today, we are a key centre on China’s 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, a component of its ‘One Belt, One Road’ vision. Developments like these illustrate the strength of our diplomatic and economic ties:
- Non-oil trade between Bahrain and China reached around USD 1.8 million in 2015, with mechanical and electrical equipment the largest imports to Bahrain, and chemicals the leading exports to China
- Bahrain had a significant presence at China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT) in 2015, as part of a high-level roadshow that resulted in 15 MoUs (Memoranda of Understanding)
- In November 2016, upon the invitation of the Mayor of Shenzhen, a high-level Bahraini delegation, led by H.E. Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, Governor of the Capital Governorate, attended the China High-Tech Fair in Shenzhen. During the trip the EDB hosted a Bahrain-Shenzhen Business Forum and signed three MOUs with Chinese companies
- Many leading Chinese companies are established here, including Bank of China, China CommService, China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd, CPIC, ChinaMex, Jinluo Water and East Star Group. Bahrain is also home to the Middle East HQ of Huawei and Dragon City, a shopping mall featuring more than 500 Chinese businesses
