First Pak-Bahrain business conference on Sept 27

ISLAMABAD: First Pak-Bahrain Business Opportunities Conference would be held on September 27 to focus on investment opportunities in agriculture, banking, aviation services, jewellery, chemicals, footwear, furniture, and textiles.

The conference would be held in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of Kingdom of Bahrain.

A delegation of Bahrain government, led by Dr Shaikha Rana bint Daij Al Khalifia, Assistant Under-Secretary for Arab and Afro-Asian Affairs, and Organisation’s Directorate and member of the royal family of Bahrain called on the Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan on Wednesday to discuss the plan to re-engage the two countries into fruitful economic dialogue.

The minister informed the visiting delegation that Pakistan was opening a new commercial office in Bahrain, and a Commercial Councillor would be appointed in the coming weeks.

Economic Development Board of Bahrain, which has seven offices in different countries, would open its office in Karachi soon to keep abreast with the business and investment opportunities appearing in Pakistan.

The meeting also decided to constitute Pakistan-Bahrain Business Council and make the Business Opportunities Conference a permanent feature of economic engagement between the two countries.

Javed Malik, Pakistan Ambassador to Bahrain said Bahraini people of Pakistani origin, who had been living in Bahrain since three generations would prove to be the catalyst for investment in Pakistan.

The minister for commerce said the challenge for the two governments was to establish elaborate procedures to facilitate the businessmen in each other’s countries.

Dr Shaikha Rana informed that Bahraini Foreign Minister and Speaker of the Parliament would visit Pakistan in the coming months, which suggests the seriousness and urgency of the Bahraini government to boost economic ties between the two countries which have huge potential to grow.

The meeting was informed that Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain was planning to enhance its footprints to Lahore, Sialkot, and other cities of Pakistan.

Quantum of bilateral trade between the two countries in 2014-15 was $119.16 million.

Pakistan exported $74.92 million worth of items, while imports stood at $44.24 million in 2014-15.