• Emphasises structural reforms, digital modernisation and private sector-led growth
• Notes removal of red tape, strengthened regulations and opening of new sectors for long-term partnerships
• Bahraini finance minister touts Manama’s role as a regional innovation hub

ISLAMABAD: Inviting the Bahraini business community to explore Pakistan’s investment opportunities, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday highlighted his government’s structural and economic reforms and urged investors to tap the country’s potential in agribusiness, information technology (IT), minerals, energy and tourism.

“I address you not just as the prime minister of Pakistan but as the CEO of a nation eager to partner with Bahraini entrepreneurs — ready to support joint ventures, facilitate your investment plans and assist in the mutually-rewarding journey ahead…Whether you are a Bahraini investor exploring Pakistan or a Pakistani entrepreneur contributing to Bahrain’s progress, let this moment be your launching pad for bold and meaningful collaboration,” he said.

The prime minister told members of Bahrain’s business community in Manama that Pakistan was undergoing a structural transformation driven by economic reforms, digital modernisation and a decisive push for private sector-led growth. “We have cut red tape, strengthened regulations and opened new sectors such as agribusiness, IT, minerals, energy and tourism for long-term partnership.”

PM Shehbaz said Pakistan offered talent, resources and a growing consumer market with immense potential, which, combined with Bahrain’s financial expertise and business acumen, could create substantial economic opportunities.

He said Pakistan was ready to expand cooperation in agriculture, IT, artificial intelligence (AI), FinTech and all other areas to build synergy through shared knowledge and experience.

He informed Pakistani expatriates and Bahraini and Pakistani entrepreneurs that the Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was expected to be signed soon, which would strengthen bilateral trade cooperation.

Expressing gratitude to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa for their warm hospitality, PM Shehbaz said Pakistan and Bahrain shared deep cultural, religious and historical ties, along with decades of strategic cooperation. “Now we must convert these wonderful relations into economic cooperation,” he said.

He vowed to turn Pakistan’s youth bulge into an opportunity through training IT, AI, vocational skills and modern technologies.

The prime minister appreciated the contribution of the over 100,000 Pakistanis living in Bahrain, noting that they sent $484 million in remittances last year. “Let me assure you that Pakistan’s doors — and my own door — will always remain open to all of you,” he assured. He also appreciated Bahrain’s leadership for transforming the country into a beacon of economic growth, financial innovation and human-centered development, calling it an inspiration for Pakistan.

Earlier, Bahrain’s Finance Minister Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said generations of Pakistanis had played a vital role in Bahrain’s progress, with many considering the kingdom their second home. He noted that Pakistan’s financial institutions had contributed to Bahrain’s financial sector for more than half a century.

He said Bahrain was undergoing a generational transformation, positioning itself as a hub of innovation, sustainability and technological excellence.

In financial services, he said Bahrain’s forward-looking regulatory environment, skilled talent base and thriving fintech ecosystem offered an ideal platform for Pakistani banks and innovators to expand their regional and global presence.

He added that Bahrain’s high-capacity subsea cables and expanding digital infrastructure were making it a regional centre for data and connectivity, creating opportunities for Pakistani firms in software engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and next-generation digital services.

The finance minister said that as Bahrain advanced Vision 2030 and laid the foundations for Vision 2050, it viewed Pakistan as a key partner in a shared economic future.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2025