The growth of the oil industry in Bahrain was highlighted at a Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF) networking event.

Energy Minister Dr Abdulhussain Mirza, who was the keynote speaker, reviewed the history of the oil industry in Bahrain since the discovery of crude in the kingdom in 1932, before any other GCC country, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

He highlighted the key role that British oil companies played to develop the oil and gas sector in the kingdom, stressing on the training programmes those companies organised to develop the skills and build the capacities of Bahraini oil and gas workers and professionals.

Dr Mirza also discussed the structuring of the oil and gas sector in Bahrain and the establishment of the National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga) to develop this sector, secure oil and gas needs for local consumption and support national industries to enhance the national economy.

Noga's initiatives aim to secure Bahrain's oil and gas needs with a view towards continuing economic growth, improving the standard of living, and ensuring energy sustainability in the kingdom.

At the end of the session, Dr Mirza answered questions from participants, who thanked him for providing information on longstanding relations between Bahrain and the UK.

The BBBF has more than 450 Bahraini and British businessmen and women representing all production and services sectors. - TradeArabia News Service