A high-level Bahrain financial and economic delegation today concluded a two-day visit to Russia. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa’s Personal Representative, Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, led the delegation. He met with Russian first Deputy Premier Viktor Zubkov and delivered a letter from HM King Hamad to Russian President Dimitri Mevedev. Bahrain Ambassador Dr. Hashim Hassan Al-Bash, Shaikh Ahmed bin Isa bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov attended the meeting.
The two sides discussed bilateral cooperation in all fields and activating sealed agreements.
Shaikh Abdulla stressed Bahrain leadership’s interest to promote political cooperation regarding regional and international issues.
He lauded the positive Russian stance regarding recent events in Bahrain and the steps undertaken to launch the multiparty-National Consensus Dialogue and the establishment of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry as a model to settle such a crisis.
He also welcomed Russian participation in the Bahrain International Aviation Show (BIAS 2012).
National Oil and Gas Holding Company chief executive Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa met with Lukoil chairman Vagit Alekperov and Gazprom external economic relations director Pavel Oderov and discussed cooperation in the vital oil and gas sectors and the possibility of using Russian cutting edge technology to boost the productivity of Bahrain oil fields.
Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) banking operations executive chief Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al-Khalifa met with Russian Central Bank operations director and stressed the importance of activation the agreement of intent on banking cooperation, which was signed in December 2008.
Alba Chairman Mahmoud Hashim Al-Kooheji held talks with Russian Aluminum Company Rusal and discussed cooperation in the sector of aluminum industry.
Head of Bahrain side in the Bahrain-Russian Business Council Kadhim Isa Al-Saeed, also a board member of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce Industry, held talks with head of the Russian side and Vladimir Dimitriev on ways of activating the council. Telecommunications Regulatory Authority Chief Executive Mohammed Hamad Bubsheet met with Russian Telecommunications Deputy Minister Noam Mardar and discussed cooperation.
Finance Ministry external economic relations director Sami Mohammed Hameed met with Russian Economic Development Minister trade director Vladimir Takshinko and discussed financial cooperation and the implementation of sealed agreements on protecting and encouraging investments, avoiding double taxation and fiscal evasion.