Spring of Culture 2016 Tickets Available for Sale

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February 17, 2016

Manama: Organisers of the Spring of Culture 2016 announced the launch of tickets for shows organised by the Economic Development Board (EDB). The tickets launched today, Wednesday February 17th at 12pm, and can be purchased at the festival’s official kiosk located near gate 1 at the Bahrain City Centre or online at  www.springofculture.org.

Tickets for the events “Seal”, “Hotel Paradiso”, “Rodrigo Y Gabriela”, “Flown” and “Chaos in the Town” will be available to the public on Wednesday, 24th February 2016.
The Spring of Culture festival is amongst the most important art events in Bahrain, with a number of exciting performances by prominent international and local artists. The events of the 11th edition of the festival will begin in February, and continue through to April 2016.
The 2016 edition of the Spring of Culture Festival is organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) in collaboration with the Economic Development Board (EDB), Shaikh Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research, Al Bareh Art Gallery, Al Riwaq Art Space and La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art.
The Spring of Culture Gold sponsors for this year are National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), Huawei and Bahrain Airport Company. Silver sponsors are ALBA, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK), Bahrain Duty Free and Bahrain Airport Services (BAS). The event is also supported by BMMI.
For the latest news and updates on events, please call the festival’s hotline on +973 39900630 or visit the official website www.springofculture.org.
-ENDS-
For More Information:
Bahrain Economic Development Board
Tel. +973 17589966
E-mail: NC@BahrainEDB.com

Announcing the 11th Spring of Culture

Posted on by edbclient

February 14, 2016

Download attachments: Press Release

The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), Economic Development Board (EDB), and the Shaikh Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research and the participating art galleries (Al Bareh Art Gallery, Al Riwaq Art Space and La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art) officially unveiled the 11th Spring of Culture programme at a press conference held today at Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al-Fateh Fort in Riffa. The Fort represents one of the main cultural destinations that are part of BACA’s year long programme “Destination Bahrain”.
Speaking on the occasion,  H.E. Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of BACA , said, “Through the festival is a celebration that promotes the unique historical cultural assets which abound in Bahrain with the aim of building a sustainable cultural tourism industry. As such, we invite everyone through these activities to undertake an exciting journey of discovery of these numerous cultural assets that testify to a rich history which dates back many millennia.”
“The Spring of Culture once more affirms the role of culture as an effective tool to spread joy and facilitate constructive local and cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration, which ultimately benefits and enriches all of humankind,” Shaikha Mai added.
She further expressed her appreciation to the festival’s partners and sponsors for their support and commitment to invest in culture and enrich the local cultural scene, including the EDB represented by CEO Mr. Khalid Al-Rumaihi, the Shaikh Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research, Al Bareh Art Gallery, Al Riwaq Art Space, La Fontaine Art Centre, embassies of France and Egypt and The Alliance Française.
Mr. Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the EDB commented:
“Over the years, The Spring of Culture has proven to be a benchmark for Bahrain’s rich culture and heritage, further strengthening the Kingdom’s tourism sector which is a key sector for development at the EDB.
“The festival has now become a flagship event in the culture and tourism calendar in the region, bringing together international and local talents and emphasises the results successful partnership between the public and private sectors can achieve.”
The festival program features an array of events and activities that represent a wide spectrum of cultural pursuits and interests, from thought seminars, song and music concerts, theatrical productions, fine arts exhibitions, and more.
Exhibitions
The fine art exhibitions present a rich visual feast, including the 42nd Bahrain Fine Arts Exhibition’s innovative creations of contemporary Bahraini artists and The Magnificent Maharajah Exhibition’s fabulous collection of traditional royal Indian costumes of Deepak and Diksha Hutheesing until March 20th and April 15th, respectively, both at the Bahrain National Museum.
In addition, Memory of the Place – Bin Matar House will host Bahraini artist Waheeda Malullah’s exhibition entitled “Little Voice” on February 28 and a photo exhibition documenting Bahrain on April 17. Al Bareh Art Gallery meanwhile will host Rasmi Al-Khafaji’s exhibition “Other Homelands” on March 1. A pair of exhibitions will take place at Al Riwaq Art Space, the first being “Identity Borders”, a group exhibition featuring the finalists of the 2015 artBahrain/The Nest Prize on March 5, and the other being a solo exhibition on April 5 by Ahmed Annan.
Other exhibitions include “Sleeping Cats” by Ebrahim Busaad at Busaad Art Gallery on March 16 whose featured works explore themes of infidelity and procrastination inspired by the unpredictable nature of cats and the artist’s own memories of growing up in Old Muharraq.
Featured international artists include Jordanian artist Dr. Khalid Khreis presents his solo exhibition “Dialogue of the Dot” on March 24 at the Art Centre which focuses on the element of “people” expressed as saturated crowds made up of varied repetitive dots, and Palestinian artist Bashar Alhroub’s exhibition “Nowhere” which draws from his country’s struggles at La Fontaine on March 26.
 
Music and Song
Music fans will similarly enjoy an exceptional lineup of shows, starting with weekly shows of traditional songs sung by pearl divers and seafarers performed by Mohammed bin Faris Band every Thursday at the Mohammed bin Faris Hall, part of the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Centre for Culture and Research.
The Centre will also host Japanese violinist Mika Nishimura on February 29 and Lebanese folklore music band TriOrient on March 28. Marking Arab Poetry Day on March 21, the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Centre for Culture and Research, in coordination with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization and the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage, is set to host a symposium celebrating the poetry of Nizar Qabbani followed by a performance of his most famous works by Jahida Wehbe and Amani bin Tara.
On March 3, the multi-talented Turkish actor Halİt Ergenç, star of the popular Turkish historical drama series “Hareem Al Sultan”, will perform in a memorable music concert featuring the Cinema Symphony Orchestra led by conductor Serdar Yalçın at the Bahrain National Theatre.
The Cultural Hall will also host a series of musical concerts as part of the festival, starting on March 8 with a tribute to the music legacy of the late Lebanese diva Sabah performed by Rima Khcheich. This will be followed on March 24 by the young Egyptian singer and composer Mohamed Mohsen who will perform his contemporary take on the traditional Egyptian song repertoire. On April 3, pioneering music band Tinariwen from the Sahara Desert region of northern Mali will perform their singularly unique and original sound and melancholic tunes, dubbed “African Blues”. The hall concludes its musical events on April 8 with a special concert and documentary screening honoring the Bahraini musician and composer Majeed Marhoon, a joint initiative between the Red Bull Music Academy and BACA in which the late artist’s compositions will be performed by the Bahrain Music Band, Hasan Hujairi, Esam “Cosmo” Hamad, and Henrik Shwarz.
The historic Arad Fort will serve as the backdrop for a series of music concerts as well, kicking off with the powerhouse tunes of acclaimed American jazz singer Gregory Porter on March 5, followed on March 9 by the “Caesar of Arabic Music” Kadim Al Sahir who will enchant his fans with past hits and songs from his new album. Multi-platinum singer-songwriter Seal whose chart-topping hits have sold over 30 million copies will take the fort’s stage on March 24. Famous Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela will dazzle with their fast and furious rock, metal, and world music fusion on March 31.
La Fontaine will also host a Fado concert by Liana on March 4 featuring the renowned Portuguese singer performing the sultry music of her native country.
The music scene in Bahrain will be enriched with the opening of Dar Al Muharraq, a project which will see the renovation and expansion of the existing Dar Jinaa in the old city of Muharraq to serve as a training and research centre for traditional folk music which will enhance the intangible heritage of Muharraq.
Performance Arts
Caracalla Theatre Theatre kicks off the first of many entertaining theatrical productions during the festival season with their whimsical Arabic heritage-inspired show Kan Ya Ma Kan on February 25 at the Bahrain National Theatre. The performance also commemorates the occasion of Arab Tourism Day.
In conjunction, the Cultural Hall will host a lineup of distinguished shows, including the renowned Image Theatre on March 11 – 12 in a performance of black theatre, mime and modern dance based on the distinguished Czech tradition in this genre. On March 17 – 18 colloquial poet Salah Jaheen’s greatest work “El-Leila El-Kebira” will be performed in a new interpretation that combines an honest and humorous style and Arab and Western music ensembles and song. German production “Hotel Paradiso”, an amusing story of a busy ski resort in the Alps, will play on March 27 – 28 On April 19, the hall will host “Tafateef”, a theatrical production written by Bahraini writer Aqeel Siwar, directed by Ahmed Al-Sayegh, and produced by BACA which follows the adventures of a team of students who dive into the sea to discover new worlds and creatures who teach them about the history of Bahrain.
The performance also extend to Arad Fort, where celebrated choreographer Akram Khan presents his contemporary take on traditional Kathak dance on March 11 in a spiritually mesmerizing performance. This will be followed on March 17 with a multi-cultural performance of Georges Bizet’s classic work Carmen involving 23 musicians from 10 countries. The daring feats of the award-winning circus show “Flown” will mesmerise the audience on April 7 – 9 in this story which follows a band of acrobats, aerial gymnasts, musicians, and magicians as they attempt to put on a street show.
A number of family-friendly shows is also on slate, including Tiddler and Other Terriffic Tales on March 18 – 19 at the Alumni Club featuring stories by Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler that take audience to the depths of the ocean and deep inside the forest with live music, puppetry, and a whole host of colorful characters. On April 8 – 9 the club will also host Chaos in the Town, a Bahraini production which teaches children kindness, cooperation, and friendship through a witty and fun play based on the books of the celebrated Arabic children author Fatima Sharaffeddine from Lebanon.
Lectures and Seminars
The Shaikh Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research will host a number of lectures and seminars on various topics presented by leading intellectuals, thought leaders, and literary figures. Anne Radiesse and Iris Love will share their insights on how beauty manifests itself in culture on March 14. On March 21, London-based Iraqi writer Khalid Kishtainy discusses his native country’s heritage in his talk about the ancient civilization of Sumer and its budding democracy. This will be followed on April 11 by Palestinian writer Aisha Oude in her discussion about the power of writing and the role it plays in resistance and liberation, followed on April 18 with Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazale who will highlight the role of media in fighting terrorism. The lecture series will conclude on April 25 with a panel of distinguished intellectuals including Salah Fadl, Amani Fouad, Waciny Al-Araj, and Abdo Wazen in an eye-opening discussion on how to write about art in novels.
In parallel, lovers of the spoken word will be treated to several poetry readings, including poets Badia Kashgari from Saudi Arabia on March 7 and Majida Dagher from Lebanon on April 4 at House of Poetry – Ebrahim Al-Arrayed. The Bahrain National Museum will host poet Gamal Bekheet on March 20, while the Art Centre will host a series of talks by prominent artists, including Abdul Karim Al-Orayyed on March 2 and Marwa Rashid on April 6.
The 17th annual Bahrain International Book Fair will open its doors to the public from March 24 to April 3 to peruse the thousands of titles by local and regional publishers and enjoy the many events held as part of the event, including book signings, seminars, poetry readings, and special children’s wing and educational program.
Moreover, famous Indonesian writer Andrea Hirata will host a signing at the La Fontaine of his best-selling novel The Rainbow Troops, which tells the adventures of two village teachers and their impoverished rag-tag clutch of elementary school children in a remote island in Indonesia.
Pop-up Theatre
Complementing these events is a range of cultural activities throughout the island. Among these is the all-new Spring of Culture free Pop-Up street shows taking place at different public locations around the island, which includes The Yelling Kitchen Prince from March 3 – 5, Dancing Graffiti on March 10 and 12, Origami Story Teller from March 24 – 26, and storyteller Fatima Sharafeddine from April 10 – 11.
Cinema
Al Riwaq Art Space will host the Green Caravan Festival from March 17 – 18, which includes screenings of short films from around the Middle East, international documentary films, and panel discussions. On March 22, the Bahrain National Museum will host a special screening of the famous 1967 Egyptian film Qasr El-Shouq, the second part of the classic trilogy by the late great Egyptian novelist and Nobel Prize for Literature recipient Naguib Mahfouz starring the late Egyptian movie star Nour El-Sherif in his first leading role.
Outreach Programmes (Education and Community)
The Spring of Culture will feature a number of community outreach initiatives revolving around culture and the arts. The Economic Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the University of Bahrain, will provide teachers and university students with an opportunity to attend week long workshops and lectures covering various topics. A number of seats have also been dedicated for the Royal Charity Organization children during events.
To develop Bahrain’s local talents, Spring of Culture is organising a number of workshops in cooperation with La Fontaine Art Centre. Some of the participating troops will also hold educational sessions for the public, which can be booked through the dedicated line found in the Spring of Culture events brochure, or the website.
Tickets for the shows will be sold at the festival kiosk located near gate 1 at Bahrain City Centre or online at www.springofculture.org . The public may also browse the website or call the festival hotline +973 39900630 for more information about the events and schedule.
Spring of Culture Gold sponsors for this year are National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), Huwaei and Bahrain Airport Company. Silver sponsors are ALBA, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait, Bahrain Duty Free and Bahrain Airport Services (BAS). The event is also supported by BMMI.
For the latest news and updates on events, follow the official Spring of Culture account @springofculture on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
The full schedule of events and activities is also available on the festival’s website (www.springofculture.org).
For media inquiries, please contact:
Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities – Media Center
T:   17298811
M: 36929740
E: elie.flouty@culture.gov.bh

Electrosteel, world’s third largest ductile iron pipes producer, sets up a regional hub in Bahrain

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February 03, 2016

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Manama: India’s Electrosteel Castings, the world’s third largest producer of Ductile Iron (DI) pipes and ancillary products, today inaugurated their new US$6.6 million warehouse in Bahrain, which will be a one stop solution for water projects, for the Bahrain & Middle East markets.
Electrosteel, a multimillion-dollar company listed on the Singapore as well as the Bombay & National Stock Exchanges, is India’s largest producer of DI pipes, and is a global supplier in over 50 countries, with 9 subsidiary companies and  distribution centres across the globe; including in the USA, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy & the UAE, amongst other countries. The Bahrain facility will act as Electrosteel’s regional hub for sales and distribution activities to the Northern Middle Eastern markets. Electrosteel employs more than ten thousand staff across the Globe.
Electrosteel is the second Indian firm in recent months to expand into Bahrain. In November 2015 Synergies Castings, one of India’s leading aluminium casters and manufacturers of alloy wheels, signed a joint venture with Mumtalakat Holding Company, the investment arm of Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, to establish a manufacturing facility in Bahrain.
The company’s inauguration was attended by Mr. Osama Al Arrayed, Undersecretary for Industrial Affair at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Tourism; Mr. M.K. Jalan, Director and Piush Lohia, Vice President of Electrosteel; and Mr. Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB). The EDB provided support and advice to Electrosteel throughout their registration and setting-up process.
 Mr. M.K. Jalan of Electrosteel said: “The business of distributing our products is very logistically demanding, and there is a high cost involved with transporting huge volumes of cargo. We chose Bahrain as a centre for our Northern Middle Eastern sales activities because of its strategic location at the heart of this market, and for its strong transport network & infrastructure, that link Bahrain to other countries in the region.
“The laws & regulations of Bahrain are investor friendly, and we are grateful to the Economic Development Board for all their help, which has greatly contributed to our business set up.”
On behalf of the Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism, Mr. Osama Al Arrayed, Undersecretary for Industrial Affair at the Ministry said:
“We welcome this development as a valuable addition to the logistics sector in Bahrain and I congratulate the Electrosteel management on their strategic decision to locate in Bahrain at the heart of region’s thriving market.
“Presence of large trading companies provides an impetus to the transportation and logistics sector which is a priority sector of our economy. This sector is witnessing strong growth in recent times and has important linkages with other industries either as a driver or in a support role. The government is focusing on infrastructure development with expansion of the Bahrain International Airport, a larger seaport and state of the art Bahrain Logistics Zone & the upcoming Railway Project that will link with the GCC Rail Network,” the Mr. Al Arrayed added.
Mr. Khalid Al Rumaihi commented: “Electrosteel’s announcement reflects the growing investment by Indian firms in Bahrain, and the efforts being made by these companies to take advantage of the growing demand within the larger region.
“Electrosteel has already supplied pipes, fittings, valves, and other accessories to Bahrain – most notably for Bahrain’s Water Transmission Development Project of the Electricity & Water Authority (EWA), completed in 2015. There is scope for greater collaboration in the future as well as the opportunity for other countries in the region to take advantage of Electrosteel’s offering.
“In return, Bahrain can offer Electrosteel not only low operational costs and 100% ownership on real estate & assets, but also a highly educated and bilingual local workforce, which will be invaluable as Electrosteel continues to expand across the region.”
India and Bahrain enjoy close economic relations, with trade between the two nations reaching $720 million USD, in 2014. More than 350,000 Indian nationals are currently living in Bahrain.
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Notes to editors
About 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, tourism, 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
Contact:
May Taher, Bahrain Economic Development Board
Tel: +973 17 589 972
Email: internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com

Bahrain non-oil sector grows 4.2% in first nine months of 2015

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January 17, 2016

To download press release, click here. 

Manama: Bahrain’s non-oil growth in Q3 2015 reached 3.3% according to the latest Bahrain Economic Quarterly (BEQ) issued by the Economic Development Board (EDB), with growth in the first three quarters as a whole reaching 4.2% in the non-oil sector.

Overall growth in the economy reached 2.4% in the third quarter and 3% over the first three quarters as a whole. Growth was driven by the continued resilience of the non-oil sector.
This performance was underpinned by robust performance across a number of sectors. In particular, the report revealed that the Hotels and Restaurants and the Social and Personal Services (primarily private education and private healthcare) sectors were among the key drivers of growth within the non-oil economy for Q3 2015, with a year-on-year growth rate of around 8% and 6.3%, respectively. Transportation and communications also saw strong growth of 6% during the quarter.
The resilience of the non-oil sector, including the growing pipeline of infrastructure projects, helped to support job growth, with the total number of private sector jobs rising by an annual 7% YoY in Q3. Consistent with the positive momentum in job creation, overall unemployment declined to its lowest level in several years. The official unemployment rate held steady at 3.1% in Q3.
The BEQ also highlighted expectations of further growth in key sectors such as infrastructure, with nearly USD6 billion worth of projects allocated, USD3.7 billion tendered and USD1.3 billion commenced to date. This will have a positive impact on the construction sector in the upcoming years.
In the banking sector, bank credit continued to grow at a brisk pace with total bank credit increasing by 7% as of the end of Q3.
Mr. Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the EDB, commented on the findings of the BEQ report: “We are very encouraged by the resilience of the Bahraini non-oil sector in spite of the challenges it faces. On a regional level, the GCC economies remain in expansionary mode and the non-oil growth drivers across the region remain resilient.
“The resilience that the economy has demonstrated has helped to reassure investors, highlighting the progress that Bahrain and the wider region have made in diversification and the long term economic strengths that have underpinned growth in recent years.”
In recent months, Bahrain has seen a number of developments in the financial services, ICT and manufacturing sectors. In November the Central Bank of Bahrain, in collaboration with the local Benefit Company, launched a pioneering Electronic Fund Transfer System (EFTS) that connects all retail banks in the Kingdom with each other and with major billers in order to increase the efficiency of fund transfers.
In the ICT sector, the EDB in collaboration with C5 Accelerate Limited and Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the launch of the first Cloud Accelerator in the Middle East and Africa region which will be located in the Kingdom. Additionally, Synergies Castings Ltd and Mumtalakat announced the establishment of an aluminium casting and speciality alloy wheel manufacturing facility in Bahrain. The USD150mn facility will produce the equivalent of 2mn vehicle alloys a year, an annual capacity of approximately 25,000 metric tonnes.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
About 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
Contact:
May Taher, Bahrain Economic Development Board
Tel: +973 17 589 972
Email: internationalmedia@bahrainedb.com

Crown Prince Stresses Importance of Future US $32 billion Projects in Economic Growth

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December 30, 2015

Manama: His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, First Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Economic Development Board (EDB) stressed the role future projects will have in the continuation of Bahrain’s economic growth in the next years. He noted during the EDB board meeting chaired by His Royal Highness at the Riffa Palace that the unprecedented infrastructure investment due to take place in Bahrain will make a vital contribution to diversification efforts and non-oil sector growth.

The Kingdom of Bahrain is implementing a comprehensive programme of structural economic and fiscal reforms to further strengthen its long-term development. The programme is underpinned by three pillars: streamlining government expenditure; further redirecting government subsidies towards citizens; and a series of economic reforms and infrastructure projects worth more than $32 billion to increase investment and maintain growth.
Speaking about the Kingdom’s comprehensive economic strategy, His Royal Highness stressed that a key priority within the strategy is to further improve citizens’ living standards and provide sustainable job opportunities for all, and also emphasised that improving and modernising business and investment regulation is crucial to facilitating and fostering entrepreneurial opportunities.
His Royal Highness highlighted the backing of diversification efforts which built the Kingdom’s economy and its ability to overcome economic challenges. He also noted the importance of joint work between government entities to implement the economic strategies outlined by the Government and the EDB and approved by the Parliament.
During the meeting, Mr. Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the EDB, presented the EDB’s operational plan for 2016 and the target sectors that the EDB will focus on over the next 12 months.
Mr. Al Rumaihi highlighted that the EDB’s efforts to promote the Kingdom in target markets – including in China and Germany – this year have resulted in a number of significant business agreements and attracted international investment that will support substantial job creation. The Chief Executive also noted that continued diversification efforts have led to stable economic growth, which is forecast to reach 3.6% in 2015, and that the contribution of the financial services, manufacturing, and construction sectors now exceed that of the oil sector, which contributes only a fifth of GDP.
Mr. Al Rumaihi noted that the Crown Prince’s directives are reflected in the EDB’s 2016 operational plan, and that the EDB’s future efforts will focus specifically on the manufacturing, transportation and logistics; tourism; financial services; and ICT sectors.

SMS Group opens regional service headquarter in Bahrain

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December 30, 2015

Manama: SMS Group, part of German SMS Holding GmbH, announced its decision to increase its presence in Bahrain. The company is upgrading its office formerly known as SMS Meer to SMS Technical Service Gulf SPC office to cover technical service support for its large Middle East customer base.

The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) has been instrumental in the establishment of SMS Technical Service Gulf SPC and in supporting the company relocating 50 employees to the Kingdom.
Mr. Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the EDB, commented on the office opening:
“We are delighted to be able to continue our support to SMS Group and its subsidiary companies in developing and strengthening their regional operations.  The wider Gulf market is currently valued at $1.6 trillion and is estimated to reach $2 trillion by 2020 and Bahrain, strategically located at the heart of the GCC economy, is perfectly placed to help international investors access this lucrative market.
“Bahrain has developed a business-friendly environment that allows international companies to prosper. Its manufacturing sector, including its thriving downstream steel and aluminium production, placed the Kingdom as one of the pioneers in the industry and continues to attract international players wanting to benefit from its competitive advantages.”
Mr. Al Rumaihi attended the opening ceremony of the new SMS Group office along with H.E. Alfred Simms-Protz, the German Ambassador to Bahrain, Professor Pino Tesè, SMS Group Executive Vice President of Service, and Siegfried Gruber, Managing Director of SMS Group.
Prof. Tesè commented on the announcement:
“The Gulf region is one of the fastest-growing in the world and its rising demand for manufactured products means huge investment opportunities for manufacturing companies. Bahrain presents a number of benefits, not least a highly-talented, bilingual local workforce and we intend to invest in new staff to support us in our Middle East operations. We look forward to the next chapter in our company’s growth and intend to work closely with the EDB, to ensure that it is a success.”
SMS Group’s announcement follows a growing number of German companies launching operations in Bahrain.  SMS group, one of the leading global system suppliers of plants, machines and services along the entire metallurgical value chain opened its Bahrain office in 2012 and has since worked with companies including Sulb, Alba, Garmco, Balexco amongst other clients in the region. Earlier this year Armacell, a German-based leader in engineered foam and flexible foam for equipment insulation, announced plans to build a new manufacturing facility in Bahrain.

First Middle East and Africa-focused Cloud Accelerator Programme Launched in Bahrain

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December 30, 2015

Manama: C5 Accelerate Limited, the London- and Bahrain-based technology investment specialist, working with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) launched the first Cloud Accelerator in the Middle East and Africa, which will be located in Bahrain.

The Cloud Accelerator aims to drive growth in the local and regional business ecosystem by enabling the rapid adoption of cloud technology, which offers many distinct advantages over traditional IT infrastructure. The programme will develop and fund businesses from across the region with a focus on technologies that align with the economic priorities of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including, but not limited to, manufacturing, financial services and technology sector-development.
The Cloud Accelerator will provide businesses with resources to develop a cloud-based commercial strategy, enhancing their ability to attract future investment. A cohort of up to ten qualifying businesses will be invited to work from the Cloud Accelerator premises in Bahrain for four months. During this time, they will benefit from interaction with fellow programme participants, training in strategy and business principles, and mentoring from C5 Accelerate and its network of global business leaders.
AWS will further support each of the participants with established programmes including AWS Activate, AWS Grants, AWS Training and Certification, and developer-level support, which have been designed to support businesses developing on the AWS Cloud.
The businesses will benefit from connectivity with potential customers, guidance from industry experts and the opportunity to work closely with a network of corporate partners which will provide a range of business assistance across areas such as commercialisation, venture funding, and business services.
Participant businesses will be eligible for funding from the Cloud Accelerator’s USD 100 million allied venture capital fund, the Gulf Technology Corporation, which will be managed by C5.
Daniel Freeman, CEO of C5 Accelerate Limited, said:
“The Middle East and Africa region has a burgeoning startup scene and is well placed to leverage the potential of the cloud. Our Cloud Accelerator aims to drive this innovation further and boost the region’s economy. Our “AWS Activate” pilot programme in Bahrain already demonstrates the investment potential of the region’s technology sector, and we are thrilled to be working with AWS, a leading cloud computing provider, to develop an innovation hub for the region and a catalyst for further investments. The Cloud Accelerator will be based in Bahrain, a location with outstanding human capital and a commitment to operating at the speed of technology when it comes to developing a world-class environment in which technology entrepreneurs can thrive.”
Teresa Carlson‎, Vice President, Worldwide Public Sector at Amazon Web Services, Inc. said:
 “We’ve been so impressed with the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of businesses in the Middle East and Africa, and are committed to working with C5 and the Bahrain EDB to help these businesses grow and scale. In addition to technology resources, the Cloud Accelerator’s focus on education, training, and mentorship will help businesses reach their full potential, and AWS is excited to work with them to do so.”
Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, said:
“The GCC technology sector is expected to grow by ten per cent per annum over the next five years, whilst sector spending in the Middle East will reach nearly $200 billion in 2015. However, the region faces a number of challenges around attracting investment in the technology sector, including start-up costs and access to funding; regulatory barriers; and attracting, training and retaining human capital. Bahrain is addressing these challenges and building on its broader strengths to develop a strong ecosystem that encourages technology focused entrepreneurship. The launch of the Cloud Accelerator programme is one important step towards achieving this.”
Amal Kooheji, Tamkeen’s Chief Operating Officer, said :
“Tamkeen continues to support businesses and startups as a catalyst for entrepreneurial innovation and to encourage the establishment of new businesses, which is a prerequisite for developing a mature and sustainable private sector in modern economies.  This project will play a role in creating a cloud ecosystem in Bahrain that becomes an engine of economic growth, innovation and enhanced global competitiveness.
To apply for the inaugural Cloud Accelerator, please contact cloud.accelerator@c5capital.com.

First PreMoney MENA investor conference discusses international investors' experiences

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December 30, 2015

Manama: The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) has partnered with 500 Startups, a leading global venture capital seed fund and startup accelerator headquartered in Silicon Valley, and Microsoft, on the first-ever PreMoney MENA investor event held at the Bahrain Four Seasons Hotel.

The conference focused on the most disruptive strategies, models and technologies for the future of venture capital. The event featured some of the world’s most forward-thinking investors and provided attendees with insight and tactics for building successful, scalable venture portfolios.
Mr. Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the EDB, participated in the conference, where he outlined how the EDB assists first-time investors. He also stressed on the unique opportunities the GCC offers for investment in the technology sector globally, where the six countries have a young, growing, technologically adept and affluent population demanding new applications and services. To meet this demand, Mr. Al Rumaihi pointed that Bahrain is building a strong ICT ecosystem which encourages technology focused entrepreneurship, drives forward innovation, and attracts new types of investment.
Bahrain boasts the Middle East’s most liberal and advanced ICT infrastructure and policies, creating an ideal testing-ground for innovators wanting to roll out new technology across the region. In November 2015, C5 Accelerate Limited, working with Amazon Web Services (AWS), launched the first Cloud Accelerator in the Middle East and Africa, located in Bahrain. More than 30 IT providers operate in Bahrain, including Huawei, Microsoft and Wipro. The Kingdom ranks first regionally and 27th globally in the International Telecommunication Union’s 2015 “Measuring the Information Society Report”. The Kingdom is also ranked 5th globally for mobile broadband access and 6th for use of social networks in the World Economic Forum’s Networked Readiness Index.

Six International Business Delegations discuss Bahrain’s investment opportunities with EDB

Posted on by edbclient

December 30, 2015

Manama: As part of its efforts to attract investments to Bahrain and promote its business environment, the EDB met with six business delegations that visited the Kingdom in the last quarter of this year. The delegations consisted of businessmen from China, Japan, Austria and Iraq and discussed strengthening of investment relations between their countries and Bahrain.
During the meetings, the members were briefed on the Kingdom’s open business environment and the investment opportunities it offers, as well as informed of EDB’s efforts to attract foreign businesses to the Kingdom and encouraging the next step for them to establish operations in the Kingdom. The EDB representatives also introduced the delegation to Bahrain’s competitive advantages, including its national qualified workforce, and affordable and low cost living environment.
Three Chinese Delegations visit Bahrain
The EDB met with three Chinese delegations in one week with aims to strengthen investment cooperation between China and Bahrain. Representatives from the EDB discussed strengthening economic ties with members from the Quanzhou province, which included representatives of businesses in the areas of water treatment, logistics and retail. A second meeting was held between EDB officials and representatives from Invest Shenzhen Organisation, a dedicated entity to attract and promote business and trade in Shenzhen. The meeting discussed Bahrain’s business environment, covering the Islamic finance sector specifically as well as means of cooperation between the two sides and attracting Bahraini investments to Shenzhen’s Qianhai economic zone.
In a separate meeting, officials from the EDB discussed trade ties with representatives from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) – Qinghai, which includes various Chinese businesses in different sectors looking to expand their operations internationally.
Austrian Businesses learn about the Kingdom’s investment opportunities
The EDB International office in Germany supported the organising of a visit by an Austrian business delegation to Bahrain to learn about the investment opportunities the Kingdom has to offer. The delegation, led by Mr. Gerd Bommer, Commercial Counsellor in the Austrian Embassy in Doha, consisted of representatives from 12 Austrian companies representing various sectors such as financial services, leisure, consultancy, ICT, electronics, and manufacturing.
The delegation were briefed on the various opportunities Bahrain provide Austrian investors and provided a chance for the members to network with Bahraini counterparts, where the EDB organised 15 B2B meetings for the delegation with Bahraini companies to discuss potential cooperation and joint ventures.
Iraqi Delegation discuss potential joint investments with EDB
The EDB discussed potential investment opportunities with an Iraqi business delegation that visited the Kingdom, with aims to strengthen trade between the two countries. The delegation included representatives from the sectors trade, electronics, food and beverages, ICT, construction and retail.
The delegation’s visit followed the establishment of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI)’s Bahraini-Iraqi Joint Business Council in November and its announcement to establish a joint holding company, with a $5million initial capital and invitation for investors from both sides to contribute.
14 Japanese companies discuss potential joint trade with Bahrain
Representatives from 14 Japanese companies met with EDB officials to learn about business opportunities the Kingdom provides to companies looking to expand their operations to the region. The delegates, which included representatives from 14 companies from various Japanese food manufacturing and other commercial products sectors, also visited Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP) and held individual meetings with their Bahraini counterparts as part of a session being hosted by the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).

Bahrain’s ICT Sector … A Journey of milestones

Posted on by edbclient

December 30, 2015

The launch of the first Cloud Accelerator in the Middle East and Africa region in the Kingdom of Bahrain added another milestone to the significant steps the Kingdom has made in developing its ICT sector, strengthening its pioneering position in the region.

The recent announcement of the collaboration between C5 Accelerate Limited and Amazon Web Services (AWS), together with the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) and Tamkeen, to adopt Cloud Computing technology is a landmark in Bahrain’s journey to progress its ICT sector.  The Kingdom’s ICT sector lead the countries in the region and ranked 27th globally in “The 2015 ICT Development Index”, according to a report published by the United Nations International Telecommunication Union.
The ICT sector is one of the core sectors the EDB is focusing on to develop and attract direct investment to. Other sectors include manufacturing and logistics, transport services and tourism in addition to a number sub-sectors.
The transport and communications sector in Bahrain, part of which is ICT, currently contributes more than 7% in the Kingdom’s GDP. It was the fastest growing sector in the second quarter of 2015, reflecting the level of development that this sector has achieved.
His Excellency Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, commented on this saying:
“The ICT sector is distinguished by its high growth capacity which surpasses many other sectors, as there is no limit to the innovation that this sector enjoys and it growing to be among the most important business sectors when it comes to attracting investment. The recently launched ICT projects in the Kingdom, in addition to the Cloud Computing and other projects to be announced soon, will increase the level of investments, creating opportunities for the private sector and high return jobs for Bahrainis.”
Mr. Firoz Pahonchiya from the leading Global IT Company, “Tata Consultancy Services”, said:
“The developed ICT infrastructure and open market that is supported by the government has given a great push to the decision for our company to operate from Bahrain. The local skilled bilingual workforce, and proximity to the GCC market makes Bahrain a competitive destination for ICT companies,”
“The sector has great potential that will attract international investors wishing to benefit from the opportunities that are available.”
The sector’s rapid growth is a reflection of GCC’s growth in the technology sector, which is expected to further develop by 10% per annum over the next five years, while sector spending in the GCC region will reach nearly $200 billion by the end of the year.
The vital role ICT plays has been reinforced as a result of the government’s commitment to develop the sector in order to support the kingdom’s economic growth. Today, Bahrain is leading the way in the GCC region, having been the first to liberalise its ICT sector and of which is characterised by a flexible and open policy. The sector enjoys distinct potential in addition to the competitive advantages of the open and developed business environment Bahrain offers, as well as the highly skillful professional workforce in which Bahrainis make more than 70% of the sector’s workforce.
Bahrain is also considered the only country in the region to adopt a structured market model and a supportive legislative framework in the ICT sector, similar to the one adopted by the European Union. These factors have contributed to the eGovernment Authority providing over 200 high level electronic eServices. The sector received international recognition on the United Nations e-Government Survey, in which Bahrain ranked first in the region and seventh in the world in the E–Government Development Index as well as fourteenth in the E-Participation Index.
The local ICT sector received recognition from all major global relevant indexes, including ranking 18th globally in the United Nations eGovernment Survey in the eGovernment Readiness Index. The Kingdom was also ranked among the elite innovation-driven economies such as Germany, Singapore and the United States based on the Global Competitiveness Report issued by the World Economic Forum, where Bahrain advanced five places this year to 39th position. The report highlighted the Kingdom’s advanced positions in terms of the importance  placed on cutting edge technology, where Bahrain was ranked 15th globally in government spending on advanced technology, reflecting the government’s significant interest in developing the ICT sector. Given the interdependence of the ICT sector and innovation, the government contributes to promote and develop this vital sector.
Bahrain also ranked 27th globally among 167 countries in the United Nations International Telecommunication Union 2015 ICT Development Index, where the Kingdom advanced 21 positions in the past 5 years. The index shed light on the easy access to technology in the Kingdom, as it demonstrated the percentage of Bahraini households using computers at their homes is 94.5% compared to 81.9% in Europe while the internet penetration in residential houses peaked at 81% in Bahrain.  In addition to that, the percentage of individual internet usage locally reached 91% compared to Europe which stood at 77.6%.
In terms of local network readiness which indicates the status of the ICT sector economically and socially in Bahrain, the World Economic Forum’s 2015 Networked Readiness Index has revealed that Bahrain ranked 30th globally while ranking 5th in mobile broadband access on a global level. The Kingdom also ranked 6th globally in the abundant use of virtual social networks and 8th on the percentage of internet users on a global level.
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