ISLAMABAD: On the eve of the second session of Pakistan-Bahrain Business Opportunities Conference, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday held a meeting with Bahrain’s Minister for Commerce and Industry Zayed R Alzayani.

Mr Alzayani is leading a delegation of prominent Bahraini businessmen and investors.

The prime minister welcomed the initiative of establishing the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Holding Company. We are confident that it will be successful in increasing bilateral trade and investment, he said.

He informed the delegation about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and stressed the government and business community of Bahrain can benefit immensely from the opportunities offered by the megaproject.

The Bahraini delegates expressed their keen interest to take part in Pakistan’s emerging economy. They also showed interest in further expanding Pakistan’s to Gulf counties.

Business opportunities

Meeting the delegation, Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir hoped the moot will pave way for more business opportunities and enhancement of bilateral trade with Bahrain.

To enhance trade, non-tariff barriers and some tariff barriers needs to be removed, Mr Dastgir said, adding that Bahrain should ease the business visa process to encourage more business-to-business interaction.

Mr Alzayani invited Pakistan to hold food and cultural festivals in Bahrain. The commerce minister welcomed the invitation of his counterpart and said Pakistan may hold a food and cultural festival in Bahrain in October this year.

He also invited Bahrain to hold and participate in trade exhibitions in Pakistan and exchange business delegations.

The visiting delegation comprises Vice Chairman Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Sheikh Mohamad Bin Isaac, Senior Member BCCI Muhammad Sajid, Executive Board Member BCCI Muhammad Usman, Chairman Joint Council BCCI Ahmed Bin Hindi, Executive Board Member Ali Ahmed Bufarson, Member Parliament Ahmed Al Saloom, Chairman SME Council Ferial Nas, Chairwoman of Business Council Suhair Bokhammas.

The Pak-Bahrain Joint Business Council was set up in 2007 and its first meeting was held in September last year. Commerce ministers of the two countries will co-chair the conference.

In 2015-16, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Bahrain was $143.10 million including $66.47m exports from Pakistan and $76.63m imports from Bahrain.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2017