HE Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, led Bahrain’s delegation at the Saudi-Bahrain Investment Forum, organised by the Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Saudi Ministry of Investment in cooperation with the Bahrain-Saudi Business Council.

The event, held at Dhahran Expo in Dammam, was attended by Prince Saud bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Governor of the Eastern Province; Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Falih, Saudi Investment Minister; and senior officials from both countries' public and private sectors.

The transportation minister highlighted Bahrain’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

He emphasised the forum’s role in advancing investment cooperation within the framework of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council, chaired jointly by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He underscored Saudi Arabia’s position as Bahrain’s largest economic partner, noting that non-oil trade between the two countries reached nearly $4 billion last year, with cumulative direct investments exceeding $9.2 billion, accounting for 21% of Bahrain’s total foreign direct investment inflows in 2023.

The minister emphasised the importance of further strengthening economic integration through joint investment projects, including the establishment of an investment company in Bahrain and exploring new opportunities in infrastructure, transportation, telecommunications, and technology.

These initiatives align with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 and Saudi Vision 2030.

He also reaffirmed Bahrain’s commitment, under His Majesty the King’s leadership and with the support of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to attracting investments through the EDB and Team Bahrain.

He highlighted Bahrain’s competitive investment climate, financial and commercial incentives, and advanced legislative, economic, and monetary policies.

The minister expressed Bahrain’s eagerness to expand cooperation with Saudi Arabia in key sectors such as energy, manufacturing, financial services, ICT, cybersecurity, AI, food and water security, and tourism.

He also underscored the significance of joint infrastructure and logistics projects, particularly the King Hamad Causeway and the GCC railway project, in facilitating trade, investment, and tourism.

The forum featured a panel discussion on energy and manufacturing, along with specialized workshops on ICT, tourism, and logistics, showcasing investment opportunities for the private sector and fostering economic and developmental partnerships between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.