Bahrain business delegation arrives in China for 10-day visit

The delegation, organised by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), is set to visit a number of key commercial centres in China including the provinces of Xiamen and the capital Beijing. Throughout the visit, Bahraini businesses and government representatives will engage in high-level discussions and meetings with Chinese officials and business leaders looking to access the Gulf market. The EDB will showcase investment opportunities in high growth sectors and areas in which the kingdom can offer Chinese businesses significant advantages, including financial services, tourism, ICT, manufacturing and logistics.

The delegation will take part in the China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT), opening September 8th, at which Bahrain will be the first Middle Eastern country to be the guest country of honour. The Kingdom’s pavilion will showcase Bahrain’s investment opportunities and the advantages Bahrain provides to Chinese and international investors.

The Bahrain Pavilion is organised by the EDB, in partnership with Tamkeen, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), ALBA, Batelco, National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), Kuwait Finance House (KFH) and Al Salam Bank. The delegation will also include China’s Huawei and Chinamex in addition to Bahraini ICT and Tourism SMEs.

Mr. Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the Bahrain EDB said during the roadshow:

“Today, China is the second largest economy in the world and the third largest country investing abroad and this represents a great opportunity for Bahrain. China’s foreign direct investment reached its highest levels in the past decade, and is currently valued at USD $100 billion annually.”

“In the past two days ahead of the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT), we have held meetings with officials from inside and outside of China to showcase investment opportunities in Bahrain.” Mr. Al Rumaihi added.

Mr. Al Rumaihi held a meeting with the Deputy Governor of Xiamen Madame Ni Chao focused on developing greater cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the People’s Republic of China, and the significance of choosing Bahrain as a guest of honor at the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT). The meeting was followed by a press conference that was attended by Mr. Al Rumaihi and officials from the Economic Development Board (EDB), along with high ranking Chinese officials including Mr. Chen Lu, Deputy Director General of Publicity Department of the Party Committee of Fujian Province and Director General of the Press Office of Fujian Government; Madame Ni Chao and  Mr. Bao’an Feng, Deputy Director General of the Commerce Department of Shaanxi Province to announce the exhibition details.

Madame Ni Chao confirmed during the press conference that the Kingdom of Bahrain along with 20 other countries have been invited to participate at the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT). Invited countries include: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, India, Malaysia and Singapore amongst others. She also added that this year’s exhibition will focus on the financial services sector and cooperation between international financial centres including Bahrain, a leading financial centre in the GCC and the Middle East.

The Chief Executive of the Economic Development Board (EDB) held a series of separate working meetings with the Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia, Mr. Dato ‘Seri Ong Ka Chuan and his accompanying delegation, Her Excellency Madam Wang Lixia, Vice Governor of Shaanxi Province and high ranking officials from Guangdong Automobile (GAC).  A meeting was also held with His Excellency Li Yong,  the Director General of The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), where Mr. Al Rumaihi delivered a speech at the new Silk Road development symposium “Sea Meets the Land”.

The Bahrain EDB has an international office based at the Bahrain Embassy in Beijing and in Hong Kong, which provides Chinese investors with the necessary support and information about accessing Bahrain’s market.

Further information:
National Communications
Bahrain Economic Development Board
Tel: +973 17 589 966
Email: NC@BahrainEDB.com