Bahrain–UAE Business Forum Held in Manama

The Bahrain–UAE Business Forum kicked off in Manama on Thursday, 12 June 2025, with the participation of senior officials from both countries, alongside prominent representatives of leading Emirati and Bahraini companies operating in sectors of mutual interest.

H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, headed a high-level UAE delegation participating in the forum.
In his keynote address, H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi affirmed that the Bahrain–UAE Business Forum is being held at a time when the fraternal relations between the two brotherly countries are witnessing qualitative developments along their prosperous path, reaching the level of an established and sustainable strategic partnership across various fields, particularly economic, trade, and investment relations.

He noted that non-oil bilateral trade grew by 23% in 2024 to AED 33.9 billion, continuing decades of shared trade growth. Non-oil bilateral trade recorded an annual growth rate of 11% between 2015 and 2024, the fastest rate among the UAE’s trading partners in the Gulf region.

He added that the UAE continues to strengthen its position as Bahrain’s second-largest trading partner, accounting for 10.4% of the Kingdom’s total trade with the world. The UAE is also the third-largest investor in Bahrain globally, accounting for 10% of the Kingdom’s cumulative foreign direct investment stock.

For his part, H.E. Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Kingdom of Bahrain, affirmed that the Bahrain–UAE Business Forum represents a new milestone in the longstanding partnership between the two countries and underscores their mutual commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across various economic sectors.

He explained that the forum reflects a shared conviction that economic integration is achieved not only through the exchange of goods and investments, but also through the implementation of agreements and memoranda of understanding signed between the two countries. He highlighted the recent Memorandum of Understanding on integration in In-Country Value (ICV) programs, which allows products manufactured in either country to be treated as national products in the other.

H.E. Fakhro also announced the launch of the Emirati Investor Center at the headquarters of Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in implementation of the memorandum of understanding concluded between the two sides.

Meanwhile, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, H.E. Fahad Al Ameri, praised the forum’s pivotal role in advancing bilateral relations. He noted that the recent period had witnessed the launch of several important initiatives, including the Investment Protection Agreement, the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, and the National Content Agreement, which have strengthened the investment environment and boosted the confidence of Emirati investors.

Ambassador Al Ameri commended Bahrain’s efforts to create an attractive and investor-friendly environment, exemplified by the opening of the Emirati Investor Center. He described the center as a model of public-private sector integration in supporting Gulf investments, noting that it represents a strategic step reflecting the integrated economic vision shared by Bahrain and the UAE. The center will contribute to streamlining procedures, enhancing transparency, and expanding investment partnerships.

The forum’s program included panel discussions and presentations featuring a number of senior officials and business leaders from both sides, in addition to bilateral meetings between business leaders and representatives of major Emirati and Bahraini companies.