Manama, Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, participated in the Industry and Investment Forum between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China. The forum was organised by China's National Development and Reform Commission, and attended by GCC Ministers of Commerce and Investment, and Chinese senior officials. In his speech at the forum, the minister affirmed that bilateral relations between Bahrain and China are developing in various sectors, noting the mutual commitment to expand cooperation, especially in the commercial and industrial sectors. Fakhro added that the forum highlights GCC countries' determination to develop its relations with China, work with Chinese investors and promote China as an investment destination for the GCC region. The minister highlighted the industries targeted by Bahrain within the Industrial Sector Strategy (2022-2026), which seeks to achieve goals to enhance industrial development with high added value. Fakhro said that there are a number of adv antages and incentives that the Bahrain government has offered during the past two years to activate FTAs with major economic blocs and make Bahrain an ideal gateway to access global markets. He also highlighted the progress achieved by Bahrain in international economic indicators, such as the ease of conducting business, human capital and economic freedom. The minister said that Bahrain's government supports the industrial sector, by providing facilities for major industrial projects and supporting investment to accelerate the transformation of the industrial sector towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The government's efforts also include digitising manufacturing, promoting sustainable industrialisation, and raising the efficiency of supply chains by achieving GCC industrial integration. The forum discussed ways to push industrial and investment cooperation to achieve industrial and investment prosperity on both sides. It also highlighted the Xiamen Ministerial Initiative on strengthening industri al and investment cooperation between China and the GCC, launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the first China-GCC Summit on December 2022. Source: Bahrain News Agency
Information Minister receives Watani Al Emarat Foundation Executive Director
Manama, Dr. Ramzan bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, the Minister of Information, received Dharar Belhoul Al Falasi, the Executive Director of the Watani Al Emarat Foundation. The minister lauded the deep-rooted ties between Bahrain and the UAE, which have flourished under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE. Dr. Al Nuaimi praised the UAE's advancements in various fields, including media, highlighting its technical expertise, skilled media personnel, and commitment to producing impactful national content. He highlighted the progress of media cooperation between Bahrain and the UAE, aiming to support development efforts, preserve national identities, and present a positive image of the Gulf and Arab regions to the world. The minister praised Watani Al Emarat Foundation for fostering national values and unity in the UAE through initiatives like "Young Parliamentarians" that aim to enhance youth collaboration and tale nt development between Bahrain and the UAE. For his part, Al Falasi thanked the minister for fostering cooperation between Bahrain and the UAE and praised the kingdom's media development in promoting national values. He emphasised the foundation's commitment to working with Bahraini institutions to support shared goals of promoting values and raising generations who cherish national, Gulf, Arab and Islamic identities. Source: Bahrain News Agency
Tourism Minister meets Omani Heritage and Tourism Minister
Muscat, Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi, the Minister of Tourism, received Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Omani Minister of Heritage and Tourism, on the sidelines of the 50th meeting of the Regional Committee for the Middle East of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Oman. Al Sairafi affirmed the importance of enhancing tourism integration between Bahrain and Oman, highlighting their shared history and strong bilateral ties and using them to attract tourists from all over the world. Al Sairifi underscored the commitment of the ministry and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) to strengthening collaboration with Omani tourism entities aiming at promoting tourism attractions in both countries, bolstering the tourism industry and enhancing bilateral tourism exchange. The minister emphasised Bahrain's efforts in boosting tourism in the GCC countries, leveraging the selection of Manama as Gulf Tourism Capital 2024. She noted the GCC countries' adoption of the unified Gulf to urist visa that would contribute to enhancing Gulf tourism integration. Source: Bahrain News Agency
HM King receives Archbishop Niphon Seikaly
Moscow, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received His Eminence Archbishop Niphon Seikaly, the representative of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East to the Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia. The meeting came on the sidelines of HM the King's official visit to the Russian Federation. The meeting discussed efforts to further promote the culture of dialogue and religious tolerance, emphasising the commitment to the approach of moderation and rejection of extremism and fanaticism. HM King Hamad commended the efforts of HE the Archbishop in promoting the values of compassion, harmony and peace. HM the King expressed pride in Bahrain's long history of human fraternity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence between all religions and cultures. The kingdom embraces diverse cultures and religions in harmony, which is a testament to the awareness and adherence of its people to noble humanitarian principles, His Majesty said. For his part, HE Seikaly expressed his appreciation to HM the King for his interest and care of religions in Bahrain, highlighting HM the King's initiatives in spreading the values of goodness, peace and love among peoples. Source: Bahrain News Agency
Oil Minister inaugurates Silent Nature exhibition
Manama, Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Bin Dinah, Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, inaugurated the Silent Nature exhibition that was organised by the Bahrain Contemporary Arts Association. The minister emphasised the significance of youth in enhancing Bahrain's cultural and artistic heritage. Dr. Bin Dinah was briefed on the different artistic materials, techniques, and tools employed by Bahraini artists in creating high-quality, professional artworks. Source: Bahrain News Agency