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6/13/25, 9:43 AM UAE Delegation Highlights Growing Regional Ties At Bahrain-UAE Business Forum | Pakistan Point
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”. Meanwhile, the session entitled “Empowering the Financial Future -
Bahrain-UAE's partnership in financial innovation” pointed to the promising potential of the two
countries in the field of financial technology and the prospects for integration between them.

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