Bahrain EDB hosts high-level French business delegation
The Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) today (February 26) hosted a high-level business delegation from France as part of a two-day visit organised by the investment promotion agency in collaboration with MEDEF, the first network for entrepreneurs in France.
With an overall aim of showcasing Bahrain's investment landscape, the visit is set to comprise exclusive business events and strategic meetings with representatives from Bahrain's public and private sectors, where the discussions will focus on sharing value-adding business opportunities across priority sectors, namely financial services, manufacturing, ICT, logistics, and tourism.
Additionally designed to strengthen investment ties between the two countries, as part of the visit Bahrain EDB organised meetings with key entities including the Ministry of Oil & Environment, the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Central Bank of Bahrain, Tamkeen, Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority, Mumtalakat, Bapco Energies, the French Embassy to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bahrain and BNP Paribas.
Bahrain is home to a number of leading French companies, including BNP Paribas, Nextcare, Fives Solios, Thales, Accor, Egis International and Veolia.
The non-oil trade between Bahrain and France has seen remarkable growth, increasing by 27% from $334 million in 2019 to over $425 million in 2022.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
3 days ago
- Gulf Insider
US Refuses Air Cover For European 'Reassurance Force' In Postwar Ukraine
The British and French-led effort to establish a 'coalition of the willing' to stand up to Russia and defend Ukraine just hit another major roadblock, as Bloomberg is reporting Wednesday the US has effectively vetoed a plan to provide American air defenses to back a 'reassurance force' for postwar Ukraine. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been insisting that US-backed air defenses are key to any future permanent settlement plans for ending the war. Western proposals for ending the war have all featured foreign-backed and monitored security guarantees for Ukraine. On this, Starmer had said back in February that 'There must be a US backstop' and that the 'US security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again.' After Western billions already sunk into keeping Ukraine's military and civic infrastructure afloat, the UK and France are also seeking from President Trump pledges of future air power, and border surveillance and intelligence. The Europeans also envision a strong, permanent security bulwark backed by the United States along NATO's eastern flank. Yet, President Trump has repeatedly warned allies that if NATO countries don't pay their fair share they won't be protected. This despite European leaders as well as some US politicians expressing recent concern that the Atlantic alliance is becoming weaker than ever, and that Article 5 collective defense is in peril. Trump has lashed out at NATO countries for not even meeting their current two percent spending goal while the unfair burden has long fallen United States. 'We appreciate the work that the allies, particularly France and the United Kingdom together with Germany and others have undertaken to develop the coalition of the willing,' US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said at a press breifing Brussels on Wednesday. 'We are counting on all our European allies to continue taking the leadership position in contributing military resources and providing the political capital to make security guarantees a reality.' All of this comes as it was only on Tuesday that Dutch slapped down a proposal to increase defense spending to 3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP), key to NATO's capability targets, in a non-binding motion. Click here to read more…
Biz Bahrain
5 days ago
- Biz Bahrain
Fintech Forward set to return to Bahrain and gather the most influential leaders in finance at its third edition in October 2025
The Kingdom of Bahrain is gearing up for its third edition of Fintech Forward, which will be hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) and programmed by Economist Impact. Bringing together the best and brightest minds in payments, fintech, and the broader financial ecosystem, Fintech Forward has cemented itself as a leading regional event, where industry trailblazers, investors, and financial players come to exchange knowledge, celebrate milestone successes, and level up connections. The upcoming edition of the region's flagship financial services event, Fintech Forward 2025 (FF25), will take place on October 8-9 at Exhibition World Bahrain, hosted in collaboration with the Central Bank of Bahrain and supported by Bahrain FinTech Bay. Featuring keynotes, panel discussions and interactive sessions, the two-day event will spotlight opportunities and challenges for fintechs and highlight notable successes to learn from. Held under the banner 'The era of integration: the maturing age of fintech', FF25 will bring together fintech experts, financial firms, governments and regulators from around the world to discuss trending themes, share insights, and exchange knowledge to further advance the industry. The event will cover a wide range of topics related to the industry, including the shift from rapid growth to sustainable maturity, the emergence of embedded infrastructure and advanced technologies, the focus on trust, regulation, and integration over disruption, as well as the lasting and increased collaboration between regulators, sovereign investors, and traditional banks. Bahrain, the host country for this global event, has a robust financial services sector that combines traditional banking with innovative fintech firms, including crypto assets, digital payments and open banking solutions. The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), which serves as the country's single regulator, has played a vital role in fostering fintech innovation through its dedicated Fintech Innovation Unit and pioneering regulatory frameworks. The CBB's onshore Regulatory Sandbox, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, provides a secure environment for local and international fintech companies to test and develop new technologies, supporting the growth of a resilient and compliant fintech ecosystem. Building on the success of previous editions, which drew participants from across the globe, Fintech Forward has established itself as a key platform for industry leaders to share insights, foster collaboration, and drive regional fintech advancement. For more information and to register interest in Fintech Forward 2025, please visit website. Media can register here for a partnership.
Daily Tribune
5 days ago
- Daily Tribune
FCCIB Celebrates 10 Years of Bilateral Growth
TDT | Manama As the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bahrain (FCCIB) marked its 10th anniversary, senior officials and diplomats hailed its role as a vital economic bridge between France and Bahrain, highlighting growing bilateral trade and a shared push toward long-term investment partnerships. Economic milestone Held on May 27th at Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa, the Gala Dinner drew over 200 guests including government officials, ambassadors, business leaders, and members of the French-Bahraini business community. The event marked a decade of achievements under the theme 'Embracing the Past, Honouring the Future'. H.E. Ms. Eman Al Dosari, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, shared key trade figures showing France's expanding presence in Bahrain's private sector. 'The total trade volume between Bahrain and France now stands at $428.7 million,' she said, adding that Bahrain is home to 11 French company branches, 178 French-invested companies, and 58 French agencies. She also applauded FCCIB's Booster programme, which helps French businesses establish a local footprint in line with Bahrain's economic diversification goals.
