The Bahrain-China Joint Investment Forum was launched in Beijing by the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the China Council for Promotion of International Trade.

Senior Chinese officials and representatives from the investment, commercial and industrial sectors attended.

The forum aimed to promote investments and incentives that exist for foreign businesses in Bahrain and encourage business partnerships between the two countries.

It also sought to highlight the political, economic and social developments taking place in Bahrain.

The forum examined issues that could lead to the development of relations and the increase of trade and investment between the two countries, particularly identifying opportunities in the fields of natural resources, finance and banking to enhance economic co-operation and open new horizons for mutual benefit.

It investigated the potential of opening a representative office in Bahrain to provide legal and economic information developed by the Chinese authorities for those looking for foreign investment opportunities.

The forum discussed the activation and renewal of the co-operation agreement and the mechanism under which meetings will take place.

Mechanism for settling trade disputes, reviewing investment opportunities for promotion of economic co-operation and increasing bilateral trade in iron, steel, textiles, glass and crystal was also outlined as well as the exchange of information between the chambers of commerce of both countries.

'The main purpose of this visit is to promote the investment environment in Bahrain and market available economic and business opportunities,' said BCCI chairman Dr Essam Fakhro.

'It will also help establish key partnerships between business owners in Bahrain and China and shed light on the privileges and incentives for foreign investors in the kingdom.'-TradeArabia News Service