“Following successful trade and business delegation to the United States and the United Kingdom, EDB and the BCCI is taking another extensive road show to Europe representing participants from the private sector,” the EDB in a statement said.
During the road show, reflecting the on-going partnership between the public and private sectors, the Bahraini delegation will hold meetings with representatives of local authorities, business sectors and media establishments in Italy, France and Germany.
EDB Chief Executive Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa said that the road show aimed at encouraging mega global industrial and trade companies to invest in the Kingdom and avail of its distinguished and most open economic opportunities.
“The European promotional tour will focus on investment opportunities in many vital sectors, noting that such campaigns will help create qualitative job opportunities for Bahraini job-seekers, as outlined by the Kingdom’s Economic Vision, 2030,” he said.
The BCCI Chairman Dr. Issam Abdulla Fakhro said that the road show aimed at re-assuring the European political and economic sides on the safety of the situation in the Kingdom and exploring the possibilities of new joint venture investment opportunities in all vital sectors.
The one-to-one meetings, he said, will shed light on Bahrain’s positive economic atmosphere and will help attracting new industrial and trade investments. In addition, he added, Bahrain will also highlights the advantages of the existing bilateral trade agreements and treaties signed by the Kingdom and other friendly states which reflects optimism for the success of this tour.
It is to be noted that the road-show, due to start on November 15 and run until 24, intends to attract industrial and trade investments, including food, water, construction, information and communication technologies, cars, planes and aluminum.
Given the state of economic stalemate in Europe including Italy for past many weeks, the Italian Ambassador in Bahrain confirmed that Bahrain’s maiden trade delegation visit would take place as schedule.
“There has been overwhelming response to Bahrain’s first road show to Italy as over 60 companies have so far registered and there will be no change in schedule of the visit,” Ambassador Enrico Padula said, adding that Italian economy was doing well except the ongoing economic upheaval, which according to the envoy, was a part of the wider economic crisis worldwide.
“Notwithstanding the present financial difficulties, economic and trade relations between Italy and Bahrain are witnessing great strides forward. Monday the 14th the first “Road Show” on the Bahrain market in Italy will start in Milano, organized by the EDB with two main events, on 15th in Milano in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce of Milano, and on 16th in Rome in cooperation with Confindustria. A total of 60 Italian businesses have already registered the great interest the Italian business community is showing in this event. With the opening of the Gulf Air direct flight to Rome on December 1st, Italy will soon become the European country with more destinations served by the Bahrain national carrier, enabling easier business contacts,” the Ambassador Padula added.
Italy as we are speaking, the envoy said, is perfectly all right as the efforts have been on to resolve the economic issues and the head of the State Italian President had assured to resolve the issue soon.
The delegation includes Dr. Issam Fakhro, Ibrahim Zainal, Khalid Al Ameen, Khalid Al Zayani, Hazim Janahi, Jalal Jalal, Tareq Wafa, Adel Al Saffar, Badr Al Saad, Qais Al Zoghbi, Afnan Zayani, Ahmed Jawaheri, Ahmed Kanoo, Nabil Kanoo, Faisal Kanoo, Dr. Tawfik Al Moayyad, Rashid Abdulla, Dr. Samer Al Jishi, Nabil Ajur, Ala Ali and Ibrhim Al Lanjawi.
The delegation will take part in symposiums on the Kingdom’s economic potentials and incentives hold meetings between Bahraini and European businessmen and sign memoranda of understanding with European firms.