Bahrain, Saudi Arabia Strengthen Transport Ties
The Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications of Bahrain held a virtual meeting with Saudi Arabia's Transport General Authority to discuss enhanced collaboration in the transport sector. The meeting was co-chaired by Fatima Abdulla Al Dhaen, Undersecretary for Land Transport and Post, and Fawaz bin Zan'aaf Al Sahli, Vice President for the Regulatory Sector.
Discussions centered on strengthening transport cooperation, exchanging technical and regulatory expertise, and advancing joint initiatives in infrastructure, digital transformation, and logistics. Both sides underscored the importance of fostering connectivity and aligning regulatory frameworks to facilitate seamless cross-border transportation.
Additionally, the meeting reviewed key developments related to land connectivity, the Unified Land Transport System, and the progress of the GCC railway project. These discussions align with Bahrain-Saudi coordination efforts and broader regional integration initiatives aimed at enhancing transportation networks and economic cooperation within the Gulf region.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
an hour ago
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Showcases Progressive Justice Reform at International Conference on Alternative Sanctions
TDT | Manama The Kingdom of Bahrain recently hosted the first International Conference on Alternative Sanctions, drawing ministers, diplomats, and justice officials from around the world to discuss the nation's pioneering approach to criminal justice reform. The event highlighted Bahrain's commitment to rehabilitation, social reintegration, and innovative sentencing alternatives beyond traditional custodial penalties. Dr. Ali bin Fadhel Al-Buainain, Attorney General of Bahrain's Public Prosecution Office, underscored the collaborative nature of the system involving the Ministry of Interior (MOI) and the Supreme Council for Justice. 'By integrating alternative sanctions, we facilitate family reunifications and empower beneficiaries, many of whom have successfully launched their own businesses after completing the programs.' he said. Reflecting on Bahrain's legislative journey, Nawaf bin Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Maawda, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowments, traced the roots of the reform back eight years. 'Since 2020, legislative advances have expanded the law's scope, opening greater opportunities for beneficiaries,' he said. 'By 2025, we aim to broaden the system further to not only provide work but also emphasize rehabilitation. Our sanctions now encompass seven to nine distinct types, carefully tailored to achieve the core goals of reintegration and social support.' Shaikh Khalid bin Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa, General Director of Sentence Enforcement and Alternative Sanctions at the MOI, described the transformation as a societal journey. 'Initially, there was resistance even within our own ranks,' he admitted. 'Through awareness campaigns and rigorous training, society's acceptance grew. Our digital classification programs and psychological support initiatives now underpin a success rate of 97.5%, with over 8,500 beneficiaries reintegrated and 273 currently in open prisons.' Highlighting Bahrain's leadership role in the region, Alastair Long, UK Ambassador to Bahrain, praised the Kingdom's justice reform as 'a model of compassion and human dignity.' He recalled a poignant moment at a recent graduation ceremony when a beneficiary, overwhelmed with emotion, expressed gratitude for a second chance, an experience met with genuine empathy by Bahraini officials. Ambassador Long emphasized the strong UK-Bahrain collaboration in capacity building, including study visits to UK open prisons and academic partnerships, fostering shared expertise in rehabilitation and community-based sentencing. Steven C. Bondy, U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain, echoed similar sentiments, applauding Bahrain's progressive alternative sentencing law and open prison programs as transformative. He highlighted the robust partnership between the two countries across counterterrorism, cybersecurity, judicial affairs, and law enforcement. 'The United States is committed to supporting Bahrain's justice reforms, which have positioned the Kingdom as a regional and global leader,' Ambassador Bondy said. He also cited the recent historic visit of the U.S. Secretary for Homeland Security and the signing of the Congreventive Security Integration Prosperity Agreement (SIA) in 2023 as milestones deepening cooperation. The conference underscored how Bahrain's reform efforts blend tradition and innovation, reflecting local values while meeting international standards. The American Bar Association and the American Correctional Association have both recognized Bahrain's strides in correctional practices, and ongoing international visitor leadership programs are further fostering exchange and learning. Ambassador Bondy stressed the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration—including ministries, the private sector, and civil society—in supporting social services and employment opportunities for beneficiaries. 'These reforms are not just about reducing recidivism; they represent a broader societal commitment to dignity, opportunity, and second chances,' he noted.
Trade Arabia
6 hours ago
- Trade Arabia
Al Salam Bank Bahrain closes $450m AT1 capital issuance
Al Salam Bank has announced the successful closure of its $450 million additional Tier 1 (AT1) capital issuance, reflecting strong investor confidence in the Bahraini bank's financial strength and long-term growth strategy. The issuance, which was structured as a private placement and advised by ASB Capital (the Group's asset management and investment banking arm headquartered in the DIFC), attracted substantial demand from regional and international investors. The AT1 Capital issuance forms a key initiative within the Group's broader financial optimisation strategy, enhancing its capital position to support future growth plans. Following market leading annual growth exceeding 35% across balance sheet metrics, the issuance was designed to further enhance the Group's financial standing and capitalization profile. The issuance also underscores the bank's commitment to sustainable growth and financial resilience, positioning it as a leading and diversified financial group in the region. The significant investor demand highlights the Group's ability to access liquidity from regional and global markets, reflecting strong investor confidence in the Bank's strategy and financial position. ASB Capital was mandated by Al Salam Bank to advise and structure the issuance. As part of its Capital Markets offering, ASB Capital provides innovative and tailored financing solutions to meet the evolving needs of clients by leveraging market expertise and strategic partnerships. Most recently, ASB Capital was also appointed as a joint lead manager by Bapco Energies in Q1 2025 for its $1 billion Sukuk issuance. Rafik Nayed, Group CEO of Al Salam Bank and Managing Director of ASB Capital, said: "The overwhelming response to our $450 million AT1 Capital issuance is a testament to Al Salam Bank's financial stability, market credibility, and strategic direction." "Since 2020, we have consistently increased our total equity by more than 65%, and this issuance further strengthens our capital base and enhances our financial agility to execute our ambitious growth aspirations," stated Nayed. "We have recently rolled out an aggressive growth strategy across all Group companies. We are confident that the Group is well positioned to continue creating sustainable shareholder value," he noted. Nayed highlighted ASB Capital's ability to attract substantial investor demand, despite global market volatility, spotlighting the team's capabilities in the Capital Markets space. "By focusing on efficient capital raising and tailored financing solutions, ASB Capital connects clients to a broad network of funding sources, enabling them to adapt to market conditions and achieve growth aspirations," he stated.
Trade Arabia
11 hours 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.
