A high-level Bahraini delegation, led by Anwar Abdulrahman, the chairman of Al Hilal Group and Akbar Al Khaleej, and Darwish Mannai, Shura Council member and chairman of Mannai Group, highlighted the kingdom's credentials as a business gateway to the GCC at a key event in New Delhi, India.

The Bahrain-India Business Partnership, which was organised by the PHD Chamber and the International Affairs Committee for Africa & Middle East, is a follow-up session to the successful Bahrain-India hosted by the Al Hilal Group in February during the Gulf Industry Fair in Manama.

Speaking at the event, Abdulrahaman said: "One man 20 years ago asked Bahrain to focus on the East, this man was our Prime Minister, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. Today I am reminded of these words as I see the potential that India is realising in its economic growth."

"We are closer in many ways to the East, with our shared values, roots and philosophy. The GCC is open to companies and the people of India, but this future lies in your hands to seize these opportunities," remarked Abdulrahman before a 70-strong audience comprising officials of leading Indian companies.
 
Invoking the fighting spirit of India inspired by the 1857 Sepoy Rebellion, he noted that "All of the future great minds of India were born after this momentous historical event." Abdulrahman’s insights were widely acclaimed by the audience.

In his address, Mannai pointed out that Bahrain served as the gateway to markets in the GCC.

"India-Bahrain trade has surpassed $1 billion since 2016. With FDI from Bahrain to India at $140.73 million for the period April 2000-December 2016. There are obvious synergies between the two countries which can be achieved through direct contact between Bahraini and Indian businessmen," he noted.

Mannai pointed out that there were excellent opportunities for investing in Bahrain in a number of business ventures such as reputed Indian well-known university specialising in engineering/technical subjects, trustworthy medical insurance companies.

"These and other ventures are welcomed by the government and the society at large. he added.

Anil Khaitan, senior VP of PHD Chambers, said: "During the PHD Chamber’s visit to Gulf Industry Fair in Bahrain we experienced at first hand the energy, the sincerity and the opportunities available not just directly in the Bahrain marketplace; but also the benefits in partnering with Bahrain businessmen to develop direct business links."

"The openness and enthusiasm showed by Abdulrahman and Mannai has confirmed our commitment to work closely through Bahrain to achieve the commercial aims of our members," remarked Khaitan.

The forum was attended by Bahrain’s Ambassador to India Tariq Mubarak bin Dainah who expressed his support for PHD’s positive approach to taking advantage of business-friendly Bahrain as a strong foundation for future bilateral ties between Bahrain and India.
 
The delegation included George Middleton from Red House Marketing and Al Hilal Group’s Managing Director Jubran Abdulrahman and Public Affairs Director Ahmed Suleiman.-TradeArabia News Service