Bahraini MP Highlights Economic Growth and Regional Cooperation at Mediterranean Parliament Meeting
MP Mohammed Yousif Al-Maarafi emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between legislative and executive authorities to ensure swift and continuous responses to the demands of sustainable economic growth. He noted that the increasing contribution of the non-oil sector to Bahrain's GDP reflects the success of the Kingdom's Economic Vision 2030, which is founded on the principles of sustainability, fairness, and competitiveness.
Al-Maarafi made these remarks during his participation as a member of Bahrain's parliamentary delegation at the 19th General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM), held in Rome, Italy, from February 19 to 21. The discussions included a report on "Challenges and Opportunities for Economic Growth in the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf Regions."
He highlighted the geopolitical and economic changes posing challenges to economic growth, particularly the impact of political crises and regional conflicts. He also pointed out environmental challenges such as climate change, natural resource shortages—especially freshwater—and desertification threats, which affect agriculture and food security.
Despite these challenges, Al-Maarafi underlined the promising opportunities that could drive economic growth in the region, particularly through digital transformation and innovation in fields such as information technology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and environmental technologies.
He stressed that regional integration and cooperation between Mediterranean and Gulf nations present significant opportunities for joint projects, increased intra-regional trade, and infrastructure development, ultimately enhancing global competitiveness.
Al-Maarafi also highlighted Bahrain's comprehensive economic vision, launched in 2008 by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, as a strategic roadmap for sustainable economic development. He noted that the Kingdom has made significant progress in non-oil sectors such as trade, tourism, transportation, telecommunications, real estate, and finance.
He further explained that Bahrain is actively implementing ambitious projects to improve its business environment, including the development of digital infrastructure and financial services, one of the Kingdom's strongest sectors. Additionally, Bahrain continues to invest in renewable energy, with a particular focus on solar and wind energy projects as part of its strategy for sustainable energy solutions.
The Bahraini parliamentary delegation to the PAM session was led by Dr. Jihad Abdullah Al-Fadhel, Second Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council, and included Shura Council member Lina Habib Qassim, as well as MPs Mohammed Yousif Al-Maarafi and Hanan Mohammed Fardan.
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