Manama: Mahmood Rafique, Editor: The Kingdom of Bahrain will host the first edition of the Made in GCC 2026 Forum and Exhibition from 6 to 8 October 2026 at Exhibition World Bahrain, under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Held with the blessing of Their Majesties and Highnesses, the Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, the Forum and Exhibition reflect their shared vision to strengthen economic and industrial integration, support sustainable development, and reinforce the industrial sector as a key pillar of economic diversification. The initiative aims to build a more competitive, sustainable, and resilient GCC industrial ecosystem capable of responding to evolving global economic trends.
The Forum and Exhibition will be held alongside the meetings of the GCC Industrial Cooperation Committee and the GCC Commercial Cooperation Committee the accompanying GCC meetings to be held in October 2026, chaired by the Kingdom of Bahrain under the leadership of Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, with the participation of Their Highnesses and Excellencies, the concerned Ministers of the GCC states. The event will also bring together Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, alongside senior government officials, policymakers, chief executives, investors and industry experts, in the largest GCC industrial gathering aimed at strengthening industrial cooperation and integration among the GCC states and opening broader horizons for partnerships and high-value investments.
Combining a high-level strategic forum and a specialised industrial exhibition under one platform, the event will feature ministerial sessions, executive dialogues and expert discussions covering a broad range of strategic themes. These include industrial policies, access to global markets, resilient supply chains, GCC industrial integration, financing mechanisms, green manufacturing, smart factories, national talent development and industrial infrastructure. The accompanying exhibition will showcase the latest Gulf-made products, advanced industrial technologies and innovations, alongside dedicated investment and innovation platforms and business-to-business meetings designed to foster strategic partnerships, strengthen economic and industrial collaboration, and attract high-value investment opportunities.
“This an honour to be hosting the inaugural Made in GCC 2026 Forum and Exhibition in the Kingdom of Bahrain, an event reflecting the deep commitment of member states to the framework of joint GCC cooperation and the Kingdom of Bahrain’s role in supporting initiatives that strengthen industrial and economic integration across the GCC,” Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, said.
“The Forum and Exhibition will serve as a strategic platform for exchanging expertise, strengthening industrial and investment partnerships, accelerating the adoption of innovation and advanced technologies, and showcasing the region’s industrial capabilities. It will further establish ‘Made in GCC’ as a unified industrial brand that reflects the quality and competitiveness of Gulf products while enhancing their presence across regional and international markets. We look forward to this landmark event, which will help accelerate efforts to build a more integrated, resilient and sustainable GCC industrial sector.”
The Made in GCC 2026 Forum and Exhibition is expected to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors, facilitate the exchange of best practices, attract high-value investments and support industrial innovation. The event will further enhance the competitiveness of Gulf products, increase the contribution of the industrial sector to GCC economies and advance the shared aspirations of Their Majesties and Highnesses, the Leaders of the GCC member states, towards a more diversified, prosperous, and sustainable GCC economy.
