Bahrain's industrial sector is poised for significant growth, with major new infrastructure and development projects coming online, it was revealed yesterday (April 10).

This was stated by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, when he toured Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP) and the Arabian Sugar Company refinery during a site visit at Salman Industrial City in Hidd, said a report in the Gulf Daily News, our sister newspaper.

Present during the visit was Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro.

The Crown Prince met officials from the Industry and Commerce Ministry, investors and businessmen to discuss commercial benefits afforded by world-class facilities at the industrial city, including facilities to transport goods to other GCC markets.

He highlighted the importance of intra-GCC trade to the economic prosperity of the region, the report said.

The Crown Prince emphasised the role of the industrial sector in creating more jobs and directly contributing to Bahrain's GDP.

Bahrain is set to see significant improvement in the industrial and manufacturing sector due to a wide range of infrastructure and development projects supported directly by the government as well as through the GCC Development Programme, he said.

The Crown Prince also stressed the importance of linking industrial land plots with infrastructure and logistics services to further Bahrain's standing as a sustainable economy and attractive business destination.

The Crown Prince, accompanied by his son Shaikh Isa, also toured the National Institute of Industrial Training, which aims to develop Bahrainis' skills in line with industrial markets.

He also toured the Arabian Sugar Company refinery and was briefed on production process and strategy to boost efficiency. Dr Fakhro said over the past five years BIIP, comprising 2.5 million square metres, has attracted huge investments in manufacturing facilities and services. It currently hosts 48 Bahraini companies as part of its support to local manufacturing, in addition to 25 Arab and international firms, with $850 million in investments. - TradeArabia News Service