• The multi-modal logistics hub to cut cost by 40% and turnaround time of 2 hours

The Kingdom of Bahrain today launched the fastest regional multi-modal logistics hub in the region with only a 2hr turnaround time for all containers – meaning products can be with customers in half the time and at 40% of the cost.

The launch of the “Bahrain Global Sea-Air Hub” capitalizes both on Bahrain’s strategic position midway between European and Asian markets as well as on its proximity to regional target markets by establishing the most efficient multimodal sea-air transshipment hub in the region with a global reach.

The hub relies on streamlined clearance procedures, optimized logistics, and full digitization to achieve an end-to-end lead time of just under two hours for goods transiting from Bahrain International Airport to Khalifa bin Salman Port, and vice versa.

These gains translate to a 50% reduction in average lead time compared to pure sea freight and a 40% reduction in cost compared to pure air freight. Accordingly, Bahrain’s sea-air hub serves as a valuable alternative for manufacturers and freight forwarders, particularly in the context of the ongoing shipping crisis.

Bahrain will grant Partner status in this initiative to all markets globally which will allow for granting their nationally based companies the opportunity to become an authorized Trusted Shipper at the Bahrain’s Global sea-to-air logistics hub.

Bahrain Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, H.E Kamal bin Ahmed said:

“The launch of this Global Sea-to-Air logistics hub, the fastest in the Middle East, here in Bahrain is a real opportunity not only for global logistics companies but also for exporters across the world. This service can lead to 40% cost savings compared to air freight only and 50% faster lead times than pure sea freight.”

He added: “We can only do this because of our unique position, the proximity of our ports, as well as our regulators, operators and port authorities working closely together and our state-of-the-art digital processing solution.”

This hub will enable the growth of the Bahrain logistics sector which will contribute to further diversify the Kingdom economy. Bahrain non-oil GDP year-on-year growth reached 7.8% in Q2 in 2021.

The operating cost within the logistics sector is 45% lower in Bahrain compared to neighboring markets, as per KPMG 2019 report “Cost of Doing Business in Logistics”. This has positioned Bahrain as an attractive destination for global and regional businesses operating within the sector.

Manama, 6 September 2021 – The Kingdom of Bahrain was ranked among the top 20 global economies in attracting direct investment, according to the Financial Times’ Greenfield FDI Performance Index 2021. Bahrain ranked 15^th among 84 countries from around the world that were included in the report. The Kingdom also ranked 2^nd in the Gulf and 3^rd in the Middle East and North Africa.

According to the index, Bahrain obtained 3.23 points and a rating of (above 1), which reflects the relatively large contribution of direct investments to the Kingdom’s economy. The report compares the size of the economies of countries and the direct investments that were attracted in 2020. The Kingdom climbed 12 positions from its previous global rating of 27. The five most prominent global economies in attracting direct investment included Costa Rica, Lithuania, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Estonia.

Bahrain’s high ranking regionally and globally in attracting direct investments reflects the effectiveness of the strategic plan adopted by the Economic Development Board and its efforts alongside Team Bahrain partners to attract direct investments and create jobs despite the pandemic. It also gives an indication of the extent of development and openness of the business environment in the Kingdom and its competitive advantages that attract the attention of investors from all over the world.

– Non-oil bilateral trade rebounds in second quarter as Bahrain recovers from pandemic –

– Bahrain-UAE trade increases 76% YoY in Q2 as supply chains reopen –

– Bahrain-GCC trade for the first half of 2021 reached $3.4 billion, up from $2.8 billion in H1 2020 –

Manama – Bahrain 18 July 2021: Trade between the GCC and Bahrain reached a total value of $1.69 billion in Q2 2021, marking a 38% increase compared to the same quarter last year, according to the latest figures released by Bahrain’s eGovernment and Information Authority.

The data shows that Bahrain’s non-oil trade has quickly rebounded from a low point in 2020. International trade was severely hampered in Q2 2020 as lockdowns caused borders to close and significantly disrupted supply chains.

Non-oil bilateral trade between Bahrain and the UAE increased by 76% year-on-year to $672 million in Q2 2021.

Trade between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain accounted for around half of total Bahrain-GCC trade, at $781 million. Trade between Oman and Bahrain stood at $141 million. Oman was followed by Kuwait, which recorded $99 million in bilateral trade in Q2 2021.

Bahrain-GCC trade for the first half of 2021 reached around $3.45 billion up from $2.88 billion in H1 2020.

Ali Al Mudaifa, Executive Director of Bahrain’s Economic Development Board, said that the latest figures show significant progress on an annual basis.

“Bahrain has worked extremely hard alongside its GCC partners to boost trade in the region since the pandemic slowdown. Bahrain’s increasingly diversified economy presents excellent opportunities for foreign investors and we look forward to helping more companies tap into the burgeoning Gulf market in the coming months,” said Al Mudaifa.

He added: “Bahrain’s strong rebound from the pandemic demonstrates the continuing integrity of our robust supply chains and illustrates our position as a key logistical hub in the Gulf region. Companies here benefit from a competitive business environment, the region’s best-value operating costs and one of the most skilled workforces. The Kingdom also offers 100% foreign ownership in most business sectors.”

Some of the biggest exports to the UAE, aside from iron ore and aluminium products, included cheese and biscuits manufactured in Bahrain’s multi-million-dollar mega factories. Within the region, Bahrain is rapidly emerging as an FMCG leader, with global FMCG giants like Arla, Mondelez, Kimberly Clark and Reckitt Benckiser selecting the Kingdom as their regional manufacturing base and distribution hub.

Bahrain is only a 40-minute drive away from the region’s biggest market, Saudi Arabia, and connected to the rest of the GCC via multiple daily flights on the national carrier, Gulf Air. DHL has its regional hub in Bahrain.

The value of Bahrain’s global exports spiked by more than 70% year-on-year, reaching $1.12 billion by the end of the second quarter. Import values fell by around 8% to just over $1 billion.

—ENDS—

For more information, please contact:

Mahmood Ali

Executive Director, Communications

Economic Development Board

Phone : +973-39798919

E-mail : internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com

About Bahrain Economic Development Board

The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) is an investment promotion agency with overall responsibility for attracting investment into the Kingdom and supporting initiatives that enhance the investment climate.

The EDB works with the government and both current and prospective investors, in order to ensure that Bahrain’s investment climate is attractive, to communicate the key strengths, and to identify where opportunities exist for further economic growth through investment.

The EDB focuses on several economic sectors that capitalise on Bahrain’s competitive advantages and provide significant investment opportunities. These sectors include financial services, manufacturing, technology and innovation, tourism, education, healthcare, logistics and transport. For more information on the Bahrain EDB visit www.bahrainedb.com

Manama, July 14, 2021: The Economic Development Board (EDB), the country’s Investment Promotion Agency (IPA), was recognised by the international economic development organisation OCO Global for its resilience in responding to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, ranking 6^th top global IPA with the most resilience to add new source markets in the 2021 OCO Global Innovation Index.

The EDB also ranked 2^nd, alongside Invest Denmark and Invest HK (Hong Kong), in the technology sub-index, highlighting the EDB’s efforts in using technology to attract, facilitate and promote investment.

The 2021 OCO Global IPA Innovation Index evaluated 20 leading global IPAs on whether they made a positive change in response to Covid-19 based on strategic planning, operations in new sectors and markets, and use of technology in managing clients’ relationships, virtual events, and conferences.

The EDB’s mandate is to attract investments in order to create jobs in the local market. Despite the challenges faced due to the pandemic, the EDB was able to attract BHD333 million in direct investments in 2020 which will create over 4,300 jobs over the next three years.

Last year, several prominent companies launched operations in the Kingdom, with investment from leading local, regional and international companies in key sectors including financial services, manufacturing, logistics services, education, healthcare services, real estate, tourism, and ICT.

–ENDS—

Notes to Editor:

For more information, please contact:

Communications and Media Department

Economic Development Board

Phone: +973-17-589966

E-mail: communications@bahrainedb.com

About Bahrain Economic Development Board

The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) is an investment promotion agency with overall responsibility for attracting investment into the Kingdom and supporting initiatives that enhance the investment climate.

The EDB works with the government and both current and prospective investors, in order to ensure that Bahrain’s investment climate is attractive, to communicate the key strengths, and to identify where opportunities exist for further economic growth through investment.

The EDB focuses on several economic sectors that capitalise on Bahrain’s competitive advantages and provide significant investment opportunities. These sectors include financial services, manufacturing, technology and innovation, tourism, education, healthcare, logistics and transport.

For more information on the Bahrain EDB visit www.bahrainedb.com

The American University of Bahrain (AUBH) just added voice technology to its campus with the launch of two Alexa skills. The new skills are aimed at providing students, educators, and parents with the ability to use their voice to deepen the learning experience and enrich university life whilst providing critical academic and campus information.

The AUBH Campus Alexa Skill offers students, faculty, and visitors a convenient way to navigate the campus and learn about what the University has to offer by asking questions to Amazon Echo devices inside campus buildings.  Through the AUBH student Alexa Skill, students are able to connect to campus information and events. The Skill also integrates with the University’s system for students to access coursework, grades, and other school communication via the Alexa app on their smartphones.

Mr. William D. Hurt, AUBH’s Chief Operating Officer, said, ”We are thrilled to launch these AUBH Alexa Skills. We are committed to our promise to offer an innovative, high-tech experience to our students and faculty, and we are confident that these Alexa Skills will provide them with a unique, customized, and unmatched campus experience.”

The launch of the new Alexa Skills is in line with the AUBH’s innovative and “borderless” approach to shaping globally-minded and tech-savvy thought leaders, and represents yet another milestone for Bahrain’s leading American University in driving innovation both locally and regionally. 

Bahrain has been a regional pioneer in innovation by ranking first in MENA for ICT readiness by the UN – in addition to implementing MENA’s first data jurisdiction law, allowing data stored in Bahrain to fall under its home country’s legal jurisdiction. The Kingdom is also home to an advanced digital infrastructure and is one of the first in the region to roll out 5G, enabling new technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech and more.

The implementation of Alexa Skills at AUBH follows the launch of the region’s first AWS data centers in Bahrain in 2019, which played an integral role in delivering Bahrain’s cloud-first policy and rapid adoption of cloud technologies by both, the public and private sectors, especially during COVID-19.

For more information on the University, you can visit the website at www.aubh.edu.bh. 

-Ends-

Note to editors:

AUBH is the first comprehensive, purpose-built, American-style co-educational university in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and is supported through the Elm Fund. The University offers a holistic journey for students and unique approach to education that fosters interaction and collaboration between students, faculty and the professional community. 

The contemporary, 75,000 square meter campus is located in Riffa, Bahrain. The innovative and high-tech campus enhances the teaching and learning experience for both faculty and students. Along with classrooms, library and labs, the campus includes a Sports Center with indoor and outdoor courts and fields, vast Student Commons, and an Auditorium for special events. 

AUBH curricula is built by experts and specialists to equip students with the knowledge and soft skills to succeed in a rapidly ever-changing environment. The AUBH quality of American-style education mirrors that of the best universities in the United States. The University’s unique academic structure enables students to find their real passions and allows them to develop their abilities, leading to long successful careers in their chosen industry.

AUBH is proud to be licensed by the Higher Education Council of the Ministry of Education of Bahrain.  The University is seeking institutional accreditation with one of the six U.S. regional accreditors recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), holding the highest level of quality assurance at the institutional level. 

For more information, please contact Julia Atherton-Dandy
Tel: +973 39660598
Email: julia@athertondandy.com

– Bahrain tops AIRINC Global 150 Cities Index for financial attractiveness –

– Seven MENA cities in the top 16 places –

Manama, May 30 2021: Bahrain has topped the globally-recognised AIRINC Global 150 Cities Index financial attractiveness ranking for the third straight year, leading impressive rankings for MENA capitals – with seven leading MENA cities in the top 16 places. Aside from the capital of Bahrain in first place, others cities ranked included Riyadh, Kuwait City, Amman and Abu Dhabi.

The rankings evaluate the salary levels, cost of living, and taxes in a particular market in order to create an overall score for financial attractiveness.

The news of Bahrain’s win follows its recent success in the InterNations Expat Insider 2021 survey, where the country led the GCC across different indicators that included quality of medical care, political stability, ease of settling in and job satisfaction. The country was ranked fifth globally for ease of settling in, and a high number of respondents in Bahrain said they had no immediate or future plansto return home despite the pressures of the pandemic.

The Government of Bahrain was one of the first in the region to develop an economic diversification strategy away from hydrocarbons, successfully creating an economy where more than 80% of its GDP comes from non-oil sectors, providing a broad range of opportunities for Bahrainis and expats working in the country. Bahrain has since become known for its great regional connectivity, regulatory innovation, and best-value operating costs.

AIRINC describes itself as ‘the leading authority on international mobility data since 1954’ and supports multi-national corporations and others with the workforce globalisation strategies. The rankings are put together by an in-house team at AIRINC who ‘continuously research the costs and living conditions of many cities around the world to evaluate international mobility’.