Bahrain EDB kicks off strategic UK visit to promote investment opportunities

London, The Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) kicked off a five-day strategic visit to the United Kingdom, led by Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of Bahrain EDB, and accompanied by senior executives from the investment promotion agency. The visit aims to promote the growing investment opportunities in Bahrain and strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries. It will also include a series of high-profile events, strategic business meetings, and roundtable discussions with a curated list of existing and potential investors across priority sectors, namely financial services and manufacturing. The strategic meetings will feature Bahrain's public and private sector leaders promoting business opportunities within the Kingdom. Representatives from leading UK firms like PWC Middle East will also attend, showcasing successful expansions and highlighting Bahrain's investor-friendly environment. Alkhulaif emphasised that this strategic visit offers a platform to highlight Bahrain's strategic advantages and dynamic investment opportunities in key sectors, with the UK being a primary target market for Bahrain EDB. "Through these curated events and strategic meetings, with the support of Team Bahrain, we aim to build lasting partnerships that will drive more investment in the country, leading to sustainable economic growth and job creation," she added. Bahrain EDB is set to host two roundtable sessions, the first in collaboration with Sovereign Strategy, the consulting and public relations firm with a global footprint, and the latter with TheCityUK, an industry-led body representing UK-based financial and related professional services. Both sessions were held under Chatham House rules, offering the opportunity to exchange views through discussions with C-level policymakers and industry leaders, while promoting Bahrain's ease of doing business, highly skilled talent pool, and business-friendly investment environment. On the sidelines of the visit, in partnership with Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC), Bahrain EDB will additionally host key investors at the Newmarket July Festival, networking with strategic partners, potential investors, and business affiliates. Bahrain and the United Kingdom have a longstanding bilateral relationship spanning over two centuries, fostering continuous development and cooperation at various levels. This is demonstrated by their non-oil trade, which exceeded USD 443 million as of 2023. Numerous leading UK companies, such as Unilever, Deloitte, Ernst and Young, Standard Chartered, HSBC, Reckitt Benckiser, Mott Macdonald, and PWC, have established a significant presence in Bahrain. Notably, PWC Middle East has recently launched its regional service centre in Bahrain, pledging to hire 250 Bahrainis. Source: Bahrain News Agency