Mena Energy DMCC, a major regional petroleum and chemicals products company has selected Bahrain as the headquarters for its new ‘Pörner Bitumen Packing System project in the Mena region.

Following support from the Economic Development Board (EDB), Mena Energy DMCC, has chosen the Bahrain Logistics Zone (BLZ) as the base for its project, with a view to gaining access from Bahrain to Africa, India and Asia.

The project is also expected to create around 40 new job opportunities in the kingdom, as well as potentially increasing cargo and load movements at Khalifa Bin Salman Port.

It has the potential to be a key customer for Bapco which has a strong working relationship with Mena Energy DMCC, as it will allow the development of more efficient bitumen production and transportation.

'The EDB support for setting up new project by Mena Energy DMCC is part of the overall strategy to increase the role of private sector as an engine for growth,' said EDB chief executive Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa.

'However, it also demonstrates the benefits of doing business in Bahrain with an established infrastructure, offering access to the trillion dollar Gulf market and other international locations as well as wide-ranging commercial and operational benefits.'

'This key tenancy at the BLZ represents a milestone in the kingdom's efforts to leverage our position as a multi-modal logistics leader serving the subcontinent, India, Africa and the northern Gulf countries,' General Organisation of Sea Ports chairman Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa.

'We are seeing an increasing number of regional and international logistics organisations establishing their commercial bases here, and GOP are focused on facilitating this set up process for global companies.

'Bahrain has not only geographical advantages, our set up costs are also lower than those of other Gulf countries, and the EDB is a unique body that supports and aids foreign investment.'

The Mena Energy DMCC project will offer a complete logistics solution that facilitates more economical production and delivery of bitumen in an easier process for both the refineries and the end user.

The system is made up of three components, the bitumen bag, the cooling and packing unit and melting unit. Unlike conventional metal drums, Pšrner Bags can be transported on a much larger scale, with easy handling and at competitive rates, to any location worldwide.-TradeArabia News Service