ISLAMABAD: Pakistan-Bahrain Investment Forum would be held for first time in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, tomorrow.
The opening ceremony would be attended by 350 guests, including government officials, investors and businessmen, from both countries. Tomorrow’s forum would provide a rare opportunity to investors and businessmen of both sides to discuss the potential areas of two-way investments, bilateral trade and expansion of existing commercial ties, BNA reported.
“Bahrain and Pakistan are expected to ink seven agreements on the sidelines of the forum to be addressed jointly by Bahrain’s Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed R Al Zayani and Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan,” the Ambassador of Pakistan to the Kingdom of Bahrain Javed Malik informed on Friday.
He said Bahrain and Pakistan are keen to explore further avenues of cooperation in vital areas of trade, investment, defence, education, health, labour, energy and training. During the king’s visit, six memorandums of understanding were signed, many of which have already been ratified, he added.
“This is the first time that a high level investment forum is being held between the two countries which shows excellent existing ties,” the ambassador said, adding that apart from Bahrain, the forum would be attended by delegates from the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries.
“There is a huge investment potential in Pakistan in vital areas including banking and finance, real estate, energy, transport and power generation sectors. For Pakistani investors in Bahrain, the areas of agriculture and food security, import and export and fruits and vegetables will be attractive,” he suggested.
The historic visit by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to Pakistan in 2014 has provided a historic opportunity for Bahrain and Pakistan to further cement their already existing strong ties.
The king’s visit to Islamabad was seen as a major development as previously, almost 40 years ago, late Emir His Highness Shaikh Isa had visited Pakistan, but it was for an international Islamic Summit in 1974.
The king’s visit was reciprocated by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in January 2015, which provided a great opportunity to review the existing ties between the two sides.
