Bahrain will always welcome investments by the private sector, which is one of the major ways to spur rapid growth, Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro said.

Speaking at opening of the Mena region's first Apple Premium Reseller Version II store at Seef Mall, he welcomed investments by the sector, saying it was needed to support the development process and economic prosperity of Bahrain.

"No doubt, this move will attract even more investments into the country and which, in the long run, will ensure rapid growth of the sector," he said.

During the opening of the iMachines store, a subsidiary of Khalid Almoayed and Sons, the minister was briefed on the facilities it offered discerning customers and how they could benefit from a range of Apple products available.

Present during the opening were company chairman Khalid Almoayed, US Charge d'Affaires Stephanie Williams, ministry officials, businessmen and investors.

Almoayed said the private sector was appreciative of the ministry's encouragement and the facilities it provided to investors.

"These efforts are bearing fruit and getting more and more international investors to come into Bahrain and make it a centre for their business and investments," he said.

iMachines managing director Sofyan Almoayed said the new outlet, designed at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California, the US, will be the first Apple Premium Reseller version II in the Mena.

"It will offer shoppers the opportunity to learn and experience Apple's innovative products and solutions in a modern and welcoming environment," he said.

"This outlet will hold the complete range of Macs, including desktops, notebooks, displays and software, together with the full range of iPods, iPhones and related accessories," Almoayed added.

He said experts will be available to help visitors learn about the latest products from Apple.

"The hands-on experience provides visitors with an opportunity to test-drive Apple's entire product line from the latest Macs and iPods, to the iPhone 4," he added.-TradeArabia News Service