Nora Al -Faihani
- Bahrain may become a logistical platform for Russian products in the region
- Plans to raise trade exchange, mutual visits and promotional campaigns to enhance trade
- Russian investments in Bahrain and targeting promising industrial, technical and financial sectors
- Incentives for Russian investors within a flexible legal environment and tax benefits in the Kingdom
The Minister of Industry and Trade Abdullah Fakhro, in an interview with “Al -Watan”, revealed the features of an integrated plan to enhance economic relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Russian Federation, noting that there is a serious trend to transform Bahrain into a regional center for the distribution of Russian goods in the Middle East and North Africa.
Fakhro, through the dialogue that took place on the sidelines of his participation in the Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF2025) in its twenty -eighth edition, stressed that Bahrain’s strategic location, in addition to its advanced infrastructure and the attractive investment environment, represents major factors in this trend, while working to overcome obstacles and expand the prospects of trade and investment exchange.
On raising trade exchange and promoting joint investments, Fakhro explained that during the next five years the Kingdom aims to increase the volume of trade exchange with Russia by activating the joint committee and organizing mutual work visits, as well as attracting direct Russian investments in strategic sectors, most notably the industry, financial services, and technology, pointing to Bahrain’s efforts to market its investment opportunities within the Russian market, through continuous promotional campaigns.
He added that the exchange of goods between Bahrain and Russia will focus on products that achieve added value for both parties, such as the export of Bahrain for aluminum, petrochemicals and food products, in exchange for importing Russian technology, raw materials and agricultural products, explaining that this step is part of a more comprehensive vision to achieve economic integration that serves common interests.
Minister Fakhro did not miss the talk about incentives for the Russian investor and addressing the previous challenges, as he stressed that Bahrain provides a set of strong incentives to attract the Russian investor, including an attractive tax system, the ease of establishing business, and the freedom to transfer profits, before confirming the existence of a stimulating work to address the previous obstacles that included logistical challenges and a lack of information, by developing infrastructure and intensifying cognitive exchange. The following is the dialogue:
What are the plans to raise the level of trade between Bahrain and Russia during the coming period?- Our plan to raise the level of trade between Bahrain and Russia is based on several basic axes: • Enhancing direct communication: We will work to organize more mutual visits to delegations of businessmen and government officials, and active participation in exhibitions and economic conferences in both countries in addition to activating the work and initiatives of the joint committee. In it Russia has a competitive advantage that Bahrain needs, and vice versa, to focus on exchanging goods and services in these sectors.
What are the target numbers of commodity exchange between the two countries, and the target numbers for investment in the coming years?- We have great ambitions to increase the target numbers for commodity exchange and investment between the two countries. We aim to increase the volume of trade exchange during the next five years, and we seek to attract direct Russian investments in specific sectors during the same period to achieve the aforementioned goal.
What are the most prominent goods and goods that will be imported or exported between the two countries?- We will focus on the exchange of goods and goods that meet the needs and requirements of the market in both countries. On the part of Bahrain, we seek to export aluminum products, petrochemical, financial services, and food products. On Russia, we are looking forward to importing agricultural products, raw materials, advanced technology, and industrial spare parts.
What will Bahrain offer Russian investors to encourage them to invest in the Kingdom?- The Kingdom of Bahrain offers a package of incentives and facilities that attract Russian investors, including: • An open investment environment: a transparent and flexible legal system, and complete freedom to transfer profits and capital. Skilled and multi -language: qualified and trained labor with competitive costs.
What are the most prominent obstacles that prevented the raising of the level of trade and investment between the two countries during the past years?- There were some obstacles that we faced in raising the level of trade and investment between the two countries during the past years, the most prominent of which is: • Lack of information: The lack of sufficient information among business community in both countries about available opportunities. Deeper for commercial and legal environments in each country. • Funding: The difficulty of accessing appropriate financing for joint projects. We are working to address these obstacles by enhancing cognitive exchange, infrastructure development, and providing the necessary legal and financial support.
What are the most prominent agreements that regulate the economic relationship between the two countries?- Our economic relationship depends on several bilateral agreements, the most important of which is the Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement, and notes of understanding of economic and technical cooperation. Which we are in the process of reviewing and updating these agreements to suit the current and future aspirations, and we are also open to signing new agreements that serve the interests of the two countries.
What are the opportunities available for Russian investors that Bahrain seeks to encourage them to invest in the Kingdom?- Bahrain seeks to encourage Russian investors to invest in a number of promising vital sectors, including: • Financial services and financial technology (FINTECH): Bahrain is a pioneering regional financial center. For the region.
Could Bahrain be a center for Russian goods in the region?- Certainly, Bahrain could be a center for Russian goods in the region. Our strategic location, our modern ports, our advanced logistical infrastructure, and free trade agreements with many countries are all factors that make Bahrain an ideal distribution point for Russian goods to the Middle East and North Africa markets. We are ready to provide all the facilities and support necessary to achieve this goal.
Is any exemptions or facilities for a visa between the two parties to increase trade and tourism exchange and investors?- The competent authorities between the two countries work to study the possibility of providing more visa facilities, whether for investors, businessmen or tourists, in a way that serves the interests of the two countries and enhances bilateral relations at all levels. This is due to the importance of facilitating the movement of individuals to increase trade, tourism and investment exchange.
