
Bahrain Chamber expands German links
TDT| Manama
A call for stronger cooperation in the digital economy and expanded investment links with Germany took centre stage as Bahrain Chamber Chairman Sameer Nass led a high-level delegation to Berlin this week.
Speaking at the Arab-German Chamber (Ghorfa) board meeting, Nass underscored the urgent need for joint initiatives to foster innovation-driven growth amid global challenges.
Nass highlighted the EURO62.1 billion trade between Germany and Arab nations in 2023, describing it as a solid base for deeper engagement. He noted that Bahrain-Germany trade alone amounted to $656 million during the same period.
Digital Focus
The Chamber's chairman stressed that digital cooperation must be a cornerstone of future Arab-German relations. 'To sustain economic growth, we need to look beyond traditional sectors and embrace the digital economy,' he said during the event in Berlin.
Nass also pointed to significant opportunities to expand trade and investment despite macroeconomic headwinds, suggesting that Germany and the Arab world should jointly explore forward-looking sectors.
Strategic Role
The Bahrain Chamber delegation took part in the 28th Arab-German Business Forum, which focused on sustainable integration and long-term partnerships. First Vice-Chairman Khalid Najibi addressed the gathering, noting Bahrain's role as an investment gateway to the Gulf.
He called for deeper ties with Germany, especially in renewable energy and technology, and stressed that Bahrain's geographic and regulatory advantages make it a natural partner for German businesses looking to enter the region.
Future Growth Path Secretary- General of the Union of Arab Chambers, Dr. Khaled Hanafy, urged a shift from conventional trade towards technology transfer and joint investments. 'Sustainable development requires us to move together into new economic territory,' he said, echoing the Chamber's position.
The meetings are expected to lay the groundwork for follow-up agreements, especially in future-oriented sectors like digital infrastructure and clean energy.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Trade Arabia
28 minutes ago
- Trade Arabia
UiPath appoints Sara Al-Alsheikh as Regional VP for Saudi Arabia
UiPath, a global leader in agentic automation, has appointed Sara Al-Alsheikh as Regional Vice President (RVP) and Managing Director for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain, amid rising demand for AI-powered automation adoption across the Gulf. Al-Alsheikh will lead UiPath's go-to-market and customer success strategy across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain and act as Managing Director of the UiPath regional hub, headquartered in Riyadh. She will focus on accelerating growth in key sectors such as government, banking, oil and gas, and others, strengthening UiPath's partner ecosystem, and driving customer success across large-scale digital transformation initiatives, the company said. Agentic Automation Momentum The Gulf region is experiencing a significant surge in digital transformation initiatives, with organisations increasingly adopting advanced automation technologies to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. UiPath is at the forefront of this evolution, enabling local businesses and governments to develop and orchestrate complex AI-powered automation deployments through seamless integration of AI agents, software robots, and human collaboration. Thanks to her exceptional track record of success having worked closely with UiPath customers in the region since joining in 2023 as Director of Public Sector and Public Investment Fund (PIF), Al-Alsheikh's appointment aligns with this momentum. Furthermore, it is placing UiPath in a solid position to further support the Gulf's ambitious Vision 2030 objectives by fostering innovation and driving sustainable growth across key sectors, while also supporting gender inclusion goals, the company said. With over a decade of experience at global technology firms including HP, IBM, and SAP, she represents a new generation of Saudi leaders driving innovation, inclusion, and sustainable growth across the region's technology landscape. "Sara's leadership is a strategic asset for UiPath and a symbol of what's possible when talent, vision, and inclusion intersect," said Zakaria Haltout, Area Vice President Middle East and Africa at UiPath.


Trade Arabia
4 hours ago
- Trade Arabia
Gulf Air celebrates launch of debut flight to Nairobi
Bahrain's national carrier Gulf Air today (June 3) celebrated its inaugural flight to Nairobi, Kenya, with special events held at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), marking the re-establishment of a vital link to the capital city. The Nairobi route, which was last served by the airline in 2012, is a strategic addition to Gulf Air's network, supporting its expansion into new markets and providing enhanced connectivity for both business and leisure travelers between Bahrain, East Africa, and beyond. Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), the flight was welcomed with a water salute, followed by a ceremonial reception attended by Gulf Air and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) representatives, said the Bahraini airline in a statement. Gulf Air's new Nairobi service enhances the travel experience for passengers, offering convenient connections and more choices, as part of the airline's broader network strategy, it stated. Gulf Air Group CEO Jeffrey Goh said: "The launch of our Nairobi service marks a significant milestone in Gulf Air's strategic growth journey." "Africa represents a key growth market for the airline, and our expansion into the continent reflects our long-term vision to build a broader, more connected network that meets the evolving needs of our passengers and contributes to our regional development," he stated. Welcoming Gulf Air back to Nairobi, Kenya Airports Authority Managing Director Nicolas Bodo said: "This renewed partnership not only strengthens the ties between Kenya and the Kingdom of Bahrain, but also reaffirms Nairobi's position as a gateway to Africa."


Daily Tribune
5 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain firm powers UAE launch
TDT| Manama Bahrain's fintech leadership is driving digital change in the UAE, with Bahrain-based Arab Financial Services (AFS) powering the launch of a fully app-based credit card solution in collaboration with Mawarid Finance. The new platform lets customers apply, receive, and manage credit cards instantly, without visiting a branch or signing a single form. Bahrain-built, region-ready The end-to-end solution, developed and enabled by AFS, marks a major milestone in the GCC's shift toward mobile-first financial services. Regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain, AFS is playing a growing regional role in delivering seamless digital finance tools across borders. The app allows users to complete the full credit card journey - from application to approval to daily account management - directly from their smartphones. It eliminates the need for physical paperwork or in-person appointments and offers real-time access to spending data and account controls. Shariah-compliant and secure Mawarid Finance, the UAEbased Islamic finance group, partnered with AFS to design the solution to be both fully Shariah-compliant and aligned with modern security standards. Executives from both companies signed the agreement at a recent ceremony, underscoring their shared commitment to digital innovation. 'This platform reflects our commitment to making secure, efficient, and simple financial access a reality for our customers,' said Rashid Al Qubaisi, CEO of Mawarid Finance. AFS CEO Samer Soliman noted: 'Our partnership with Mawarid proves the strength of Bahrain's fintech sector in enabling advanced digital services across the region. It's a model of how traditional institutions and fintech can work together to deliver scalable, intuitive solutions.' Founded in Bahrain in 1984, AFS has become the region's leading digital payment solutions provider, with operations in Bahrain, Egypt, Oman, and the UAE. The launch with Mawarid adds to a growing list of projects where Bahrain-grown fintech tools are transforming user experience far beyond its borders.