EDB WELCOMES DUKE OF YORK TO BAHRAIN
As part of a two day visit to Bahrain hosted by His Highness the Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who is also Chairman of the Economic Development Board (EDB), His Royal Highness the Duke of York, the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, today visited the EDB. Welcoming the Duke of York, the Deputy Chief Executive of the EDB , Dr. Zakaria Hejres and Chief Operating Officer Kamal Ahmed said the meeting would help foster even greater cooperation between the two nations.
The visit to Bahrain reflects the long and cordial relationship between the UK and Bahrain, and strengthened the long standing bilateral trade relations between the two nations. A number of high level discussions were held including talks on the impact of the current global economic crisis and what action the two countries can take to minimise its effects and maximise future opportunities.
During the visit to the EDB the Duke of York also met with senior EDB management including Martyn Forrest, Executive Director, Public Sector Reform, Stephen Harrison, Executive Director & International Advisor and Rana Faqihi, Manager, Projects & Government Reform.
The parties discussed Bahrain’s Economic Vision and National Economic Strategy and Kamal Ahmed gave a presentation on Bahrain as a location for Foreign Direct Investment highlighting advantages such as Bahrain’s stable, well regulated and transparent economy, access to GCC and Middle East markets and the availability of a highly skilled local workforce. The Duke of York also heard about the advantages of investing in Bahrain for British companies and the mutual benefits of co-operation for both nations.
EDB Deputy Chief Executive, Dr. Zakaria Hejres said: “We are honoured to welcome His Royal Highness to Bahrain. We have a shared interest to promote international trade and investment. The UK is one of Bahrain’s most valued trading partners and the opportunities for our two nations to work together even more closely in the future are very exciting.”
