MANAMA: Mahmood Rafique, Editor: The Kingdom of Bahrain and Malaysia enjoy fraternal ties over the decades which are based on mutual respect, understanding and strong social and economic bonds yet linking Manama-Kuala Lumpur through direct flight by Gulf Air will further strengthen the ties in all vital sectors of common interest.
The much-awaited direct link between two financial capitals has become reality on September 29th, as Gulf Air officially launched the route, a milestone as described the Ambassador of Malaysia to Bahrain Dato’ Shazryll Zahiran during a special edition of an interview Diplomatic Encounter with The24X7News (www.twentyfoursevenenews.com) in which at the outset HE Ambassador applauded the leadership level ties between the Prime Minister of Malaysia HE Anwar Ibrahim, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister of Bahrain and congratulated His Royal Highness for patronizing the inaugural flight to Malaysia ahead of Gulf Air Bahrain F1 Grand Prix taking place between October 2nd to 4th, 2026.
Hosting the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang from 2 to 4 October 2026 is a historic milestone for both our nations. Stepping in to co-host this premier event goes beyond sports, it is a bold display of solidarity, deep-rooted trust, and immediate readiness to support a close partner on the global stage. This landmark moment reflects the exceptional fraternal friendship between His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, while proving Bahrain’s complete confidence in Malaysia’s world-class operational capabilities.
For Malaysia, HE said, hosting this prestigious international event provides an immediate economic boost, driving increased tourism, elevated international profile, and maximum utilization of the iconic Sepang International Circuit.
“Furthermore, Gulf Air’s decision to launch direct flights creates a larger market for regional connectivity via Malaysia. Crucially, this direct connection leverages Bahrain’s strategic position as a primary gateway to the GCC, broader Middle East, and Europe, while simultaneously promoting Bahrain as a premier tourism and business hub for Southeast Asian travelers.”
Building directly on the momentum of our 50th-anniversary celebrations in 2024, 2025 marked a landmark year of high-level diplomacy between our nations. This included a memorable State Visit to Bahrain by the King of Malaysia celebrating our royal brotherhood and socio-political ties in November 2025; an extensive Official Visit to Bahrain by the Prime Minister of Malaysia in February 2025 focused on expanding economic cooperation, governance, and bilateral trade; and a key visit by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain to Malaysia in May 2025 for the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit.
Looking ahead, Malaysia welcomes the prospect of continued high-level exchanges and reciprocal visits to further solidify our bilateral partnership and reflect our shared strategic vision.
“Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Bahrain reached approximately USD93.92 million up to July 2026, demonstrating strong economic resilience despite temporary global supply chain constraints. Malaysian exports to Bahrain recorded significant momentum, surging by 40.3% year-on-year to reach USD 47.85 million compared to the same period in 2025.
“The main drivers behind this trade growth include high demand for Malaysian high-value manufactured metal products, processed foods, electronic items, palm oil products, and chemical/agricultural goods. These trade breakdown figures underscore Malaysia’s position as a reliable trading partner capable of delivering durable supply chains and high-quality manufactured and consumer goods directly to Bahrain.
Beyond trade, education and human capital development form the bedrock of our bilateral relationship. Currently, 135 Bahraini students are studying in Malaysian higher education institutions. Malaysia fully supports expanding this cooperation through joint research initiatives, student mobility programs, exchange of scholarships, and academic staff development. Building on key partnerships like the memorandum of understanding between universities in Malaysia and Bahrain, Malaysia is eager to share best practices and support knowledge transfer to strengthen both countries higher education sectors.
Looking ahead over the next five years, our educational cooperation will directly feed into three transformative sectors. First, in Islamic finance and FinTech, joint programs between the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance and Malaysia’s INCEIF University will train the next generation of financial leaders. Second, in the Halal industry and food security, technical academic exchanges will upskill auditors, food scientists, and supply chain managers. Third, in renewable energy and digital technology, joint university research and vocational training will equip young talent to support green transition goals and Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.
Building on our strong diplomatic momentum, Malaysia and Bahrain are uniquely positioned to deepen cooperation across both public and private sectors, driven by our strategic roles as regional gateways. In the public sector, key priorities focus on expanding capacity-building and public administration exchanges as well as deepening institutional cooperation in Islamic finance and Fintech. Furthermore, both governments can leverage expanded direct air connectivity to boost bilateral tourism, cultural exchanges, and mutual investment frameworks.
“Bahrain serves as a strategic and accessible gateway for Malaysian enterprises seeking to expand across the dynamic Gulf Cooperation Council market. The Kingdom offers an exceptionally favorable environment for foreign investment, driven by its strategic geographical location, forward-thinking economic policies, and world-class infrastructure. Malaysian businesses increasingly recognize Bahrain not just as a market, but as a long-term hub for regional growth and commercial expansion.
“Ultimately, this economic partnership allows Bahrain to serve as Malaysia’s strategic hub for the GCC and broader Middle East, while Malaysia acts as Bahrain’s primary entry point into the wider ASEAN market.
“To actively bridge commercial players from both nations, the Embassy will host its flagship showcase, “Malaysia Fair 2026: Bringing Malaysia to You,” on 20 and 21 November 2026 at Oasis Mall in Juffair. This high-profile event will bring dynamic Malaysian enterprises, high-quality consumer brands, and innovative service providers directly to the heart of Bahrain. By establishing direct business-to-business networking channels, the fair creates immediate avenues for joint ventures, trade deals, and commercial exchange.”