August 31, 2016
Meetings organised with leading private and public sector representatives
Manama, Economic Development Board: The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) is preparing to receive an official Chinese business delegation led by His Excellency Xu Qin, Mayor of Shenzhen, one of China’s prominent economic centers. The visit, taking place on the 4th and 5th of September, provides an opportunity for the representatives of various business sectors in Bahrain to meet with their counterparts from Shenzhen in order to explore investment cooperation opportunities and potential future partnerships.
The city of Shenzhen is a hub for several vital economic sectors including Financial Services, and Transportation and Logistics Services. Shenzhen is also among the four largest cities in China with a population of 11 million and a gross domestic product (GDP) of around US $261 billion. Shenzhen represents one of the greatest Chinese economic success stories and is one of the first to introduce special economic zones.
The Chinese delegation will include representatives from several organisations involved in investments in the city of Shenzhen, as well as from a number of leading sectors in the Chinese economy, including: ICT, Healthcare, Transportation. During their visit, they will hold meetings with senior officials from the public sector and representatives from the private sector, along with Chinese businesses with regional operations in Bahrain. Members of the delegation, along with Bahrain EDB and Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry, will also participate in the Bahrain–Shenzhen business forum.
In 2013, the EDB established an international office in People’s Republic of China and also opened an international office in Hong Kong in 2016. The office plays a key role in promoting Bahrain in China. In September 2015, a high level Bahrain business delegation, organised by the Bahrain EDB, concluded a successful ten-day roadshow to China. The visit resulted in the signing of 15 MOUs with Chinese businesses and trade organisations and helped strengthen economic and trade ties between the two countries. The visiting delegation also took part in the China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT), at which Bahrain was the guest country of honour.
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.
