Global Arab Network | Bahrain manufacturing credentials showcased in Germany

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Bahrain manufacturing credentials showcased in Germany

Global Arab Network - - Maha Karim

Sunday, 11 October 2009 10:52

Manama - A delegation from Bahrain, including figures from the Kingdom’s Economic Development Board (EDB), Batelco and Baytik Industrial Investment, is in Germany this week to promote the country’s manufacturing credentials and opportunities for bilateral trade during the 5th European Manufacturing Strategies Summit.

The event, which takes place in Dusseldorf from 12-14 October, brings together senior level executives and decision-makers to debate the key issues and hot topics in the manufacturing industry. Themed ‘Positioning manufacturers for the economic upturn’, the event is an ideal opportunity to showcase Bahrain’s potential for manufacturing companies looking to access the growing markets of the Gulf – approaching one trillion dollars – and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, according to Kamal Ahmed, Chief Operating Officer of the EDB.

“In the current economic climate it’s important to recognise the opportunities. Earlier this month the IMF raised its 2010 growth forecast for the Middle East to 4.2 percent, increasing to 4.8 percent by 2014. This is further evidence of the region’s strength and its vital role in re-launching global growth. For German and international manufacturers looking to position themselves to remain competitive and prepare for this renewed growth, Bahrain is an ideal location from which to access these thriving markets; doing so has never been more profitable.”

Mr. Claudio Nutkeiwicz, Vice President of Technology Projects at Global Technology Holdings (GTH), agrees with Ahmed. One of a number of high profile speakers at the event alongside the likes of Volkswagen, Shell, Nokia, and Cadbury, Nutkeiwicz will advocate taking advantage of the region’s enviable levels of growth by establishing a manufacturing presence in Bahrain. His company is currently working in partnership with US giant GE which earlier this year opened a new office and technology centre in the Kingdom, signalling the expansion of its presence throughout the region.

Nutkeiwicz added: “Bahrain is an excellent location for manufacturing due to the availability of raw materials, the low cost of energy and a sustainable, professional, well-educated and highly-skilled national workforce – which translates into high productivity levels. In the current global climate and with the region’s enviable growth forecast, there is a lot to be said for manufacturing in the Middle East to drive business globally. And Bahrain is an ideal location to do business in and from.”

GE itself – which tops Forbes’ current ranking of the world's biggest companies – will create more than 100 jobs and looks to export machinery and expertise from the new facility to other countries, having reported a US$7 billion business turnover in the Middle East last year. Last month GE Security Inc., a business of GE Enterprise Solutions, announced a deal with Tamkeen, Bahrain’s independent authority which provides targeted skills training to equip Bahrainis to meet the needs of the private sector in the Kingdom, to support the opening of its Middle Eastern hub in Bahrain. Under the agreement, a Training University will be established to serve the company’s regional operations, creating value added jobs for local Bahrainis.

Ahmed added that Bahrain offers huge potential for manufacturing companies and for high-value industries and services. The Kingdom is home to Aluminium Bahrain (ALBA), one of the world’s largest aluminium smelters. International companies can also take advantage of new projects such as the Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP), the new Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) and Bahrain Logistics Zone (BLZ) – which were showcased in Dusseldorf earlier this year at the 11th Annual European Supply Chain & Logistics Summit.

The delegation also hopes to build on the close commercial and economic relations between Bahrain and Germany, which have ties dating back to the 18th Century. The two countries share a number of agreements including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on trade and industrial cooperation signed in April 2006 and an agreement to encourage and protect bilateral investments signed in February 2007. German companies – including the likes of Siemens, Hochtief and Allianz Takaful – are becoming increasingly active in Bahrain. Due to increased demand, Lufthansa has recently stepped up its flights to Manama, Bahrain’s capital.

This year, Forbes – one of the most trusted information resources for the world’s business leaders – ranked Bahrain the best country for business in the Gulf and 33rd of 127 economies worldwide in its Best Centres for Business 2009 report.

Global Arab Network

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Last Updated on Sunday, 11 October 2009 10:55

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