June 09, 2015
Manama: A Chinese delegation led by Chairman of Guangdong Federation of Industry and Commerce (GFIC), Mr. Chen Dan, and Honorary Consul of The Kingdom of Bahrain in Hong Kong, HE Dr. Chow Yei Ching and includes representatives of the GFIC are on a visit to Bahrain until 11th June 2015.
The visit which is organised by Hong Kong Bahrain Business Association aims to strengthen relations between Bahrain and China and includes meetings with representatives from the Economic Development Board (EDB); Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI); Tamkeen; Bahrain International Investment Park; and a tour of Dragon City in Diyar Al Muharraq.
Mr. Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the EDB said:
“Bahrain has attracted Chinese businesses looking to access the fast-growing Gulf and wider Middle East region along the Chinese government strategy for a modern day Silk Road. Delegation visits such as this are crucial to strengthening China and Bahrain’s mutually beneficial economic and trade partnership and boosting jobs in both countries. Chinese businesses are choosing Bahrain to take advantage of our highly skilled workforce and contribute significantly to the Kingdom’s economic diversification.”
A large number of Chinese businesses have already established operations in Bahrain as a means of accessing the wider Gulf market, which is now worth US$1.6 trillion and is expected to reach US$2 trillion by 2020. Leading Chinese companies with offices or facilities in Bahrain include: Huawei, Bank of China, China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd, and CPIC. In September 2015 the Bahrain Dragon City, a Chinese-themed shopping mall, will open to the public. The mall will host 500 Chinese businesses looking to access the Gulf market.
The GFIC delegation’s visit follows a visit conducted by Bahrain EDB to its capital Guangzhou in October 2014 as part of a series of senior visits to China from Bahrain. The ten-day business delegation’s visit to China also included Beijing, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. During this visit the GFIC and the Hong Kong Bahrain Business Association (HKBBA) signed a MoU to strengthen trade ties and to promote mutually advantageous interests. In 2013, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa visited Ningxia as part of an official visit to China and to attend the China-Arab states Expo.
The delegation’s visit is the 11th since the beginning of the year, representing different Chinese provinces. The visiting delegations aim to strengthen economic ties with the Kingdom and exploring mutual investment opportunities.
–ENDS–
Notes to editors
About The Bahrain EDB
The Bahrain EDB is a dynamic public agency with an overall responsibility for attracting inward investment into Bahrain, and is focusing on target economic sectors in which the Kingdom offers significant strengths.
Key areas of focus include manufacturing, ICT, and logistics and transport services as well as other sub-sectors. The Financial Services sector in Bahrain is particularly strong and the EDB supports in the continuing growth of the banking industry and key sub-sectors, including Islamic Finance, Asset Management, Insurance and Re-Insurance.
For more information on the Bahrain EDB visit www.bahrainedb.com; for information about Bahrain visit www.bahrain.com
Further information
May Taher, Bahrain Economic Development Board
Tel: +973 17 589 972
Email: internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com
