Page 623 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - JUNE 2025

Al Zeyoudi also reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to building strong regional trade and investment
relationships, with Bahrain a key partner in these efforts.

He highlighted the deepening and historic economic ties between the two nations, achieved
through bilateral and multilateral deals, including the Industrial Integration Partnership for
sustainable economic development.

Al Zeyoudi restated the mutual vision of securing supply chains, integrating value-added industries
into their economies and diversifying their manufacturing base to create jobs.

Al Zeyoudi noted that trade and investment relations between the UAE and Bahrain have grown
strongly in recent years. Bilateral non-oil trade reached AED33.9 billion in 2024, an increase of 23%
when compared to 2023. Overall, between 2015 and 2024, UAE-Bahrain trade has increased by an
average of 11% per year, the fastest of any of the UAE’s Gulf partners, with whom the average
growth rate was 8%. Overall, the UAE is Bahrain’s second-largest trading partner globally,
comprising 10.4% of its total worldwide trade.
In turn, Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Kingdom of Bahrain,
stressed that the forum reflects the depth of relations and strategic integration between Bahrain
and the UAE and represents a new milestone in their partnership.

During his opening speech at the forum, Fakhro welcomed Al Zeyoudi and his accompanying
delegation, praising their visit to Bahrain and their participation in the forum, which confirms a
mutual keenness to enhance bilateral cooperation in various economic sectors.
Fakhro explained that the forum is being held at an important time, and embodies the common
conviction that economic integration is not only achieved through the exchange of goods and
investments, but also through the activation of agreements and memorandums of understanding
signed between the two countries, allowing the private sector opportunities to expand and access
new markets.

Fakhro pointed to the importance of the recent memorandum of understanding on integration in the
National Added Value (ICV) programmes, which allows products manufactured in either country to
be treated as national products in the other country, helping to strengthen local industries and
increase opportunities for preference in government procurement.

Fakhro also announced the inauguration of the Emirates Investor Centre at the headquarters of the
Ministry of Industry and Commerce, as agreed as part of a memorandum of understanding
concluded between the two sides. He stressed that the centre will provide facilities and services to
Emirati investors.

Fakhro expressed his thanks and appreciation to all participants and organisers, reiterating his
hope that the forum will contribute to pushing the economic relations between Bahrain and the
UAE towards further progress and prosperity.
The Bahrain-UAE Business Forum included several panel discussions and presentations, with the
participation of a group of senior officials and business leaders from both sides, including a session
entitled “Competitive Investment Environment for Entrepreneurs and Investors in Bahrain and the
UAE”, and another session entitled “Growth Gateways - Prospects for Cooperation in Free Zones”.

https://www.wam.ae/en/article/bk5evwz-uae-delegation-highlights-growing-regional-ties