South Korean firms eye Bahrain as gateway to MENA at business forum
Bahrain's business- and investor-friendly environment was hailed as an ideal gateway to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region during the 7th Bahrain-Korea Business Forum, held yesterday in Manama.
The forum brought together over 100 governmental and business representatives from Bahrain and South Korea, underscoring the growing economic partnership between the two nations.
Hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in close cooperation with Bahrain's Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Economic Development Board, Bahrain Chamber, and the Bahrain–South Korea Friendship Society, the forum highlighted opportunities for deeper collaboration in sectors such as ICT, smart farming, K-beauty, and food.
Speaking at the event, Dr KOO Heonsang, Korean Ambassador to Bahrain, praised Bahrain's efforts toward economic diversification under the Economic Vision 2030. He said Bahrain's business- and investor-friendly environment makes it an ideal gateway to the MENA region.
Ambassador KOO also welcomed the upcoming ratification of the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, signed last year between Korea and Bahrain. Once in force, the agreement is expected to create a more secure and predictable environment for cross-border investments.
Other key speakers included Abdulla Fakhro, Bahrain's Minister of Industry and Commerce; Mohammed Al Kooheji, Second Vice-Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber; and Ahmed bin Hindi, Chairman of the Bahrain–Korea Friendship Society. They all emphasised the strategic importance of strengthening Bahrain-Korea economic cooperation.
Since its inception in 2017, the Bahrain-Korea Business Forum has alternated biennially between the two countries. This year's edition witnessed a record turnout of Korean companies, including CJ ENM, Korea Electric Power Corporation, Posco International, and DAESANG, along with leading government agencies such as KOTRA, NIPA, aT, and KOAT—reflecting the deepening of bilateral ties and growing mutual interest in business collaboration.
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