Industry minister meets Thai minister of commerce

Manama, Oct. 28 (BNA): Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani held a meeting with the Thai Minister of Commerce Mr. Sontirat Sontijirawong at the Ministry premises, in presence of Thai Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain Mr. Thanis Na Songkhla and a number of Thai economic delegation accompanying the minister. During the meeting, the minister stressed the keenness of the Bahraini leaders and government to enhance economic and trade relations between the two countries. He pointed out that the visit between the public and private sectors during the past years and joint agreements in various fields are clear indications of the close and deep relations between Bahrain and Thailand. He also reviewed the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Thailand and ways to enhance cooperation in all fields, especially in trade, tourism, industry and investment fields. The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism delivered a speech at the opening of the Bahrain-Thailand Business Forum highlighting the deep and long relations between the two countries, as well as the continuous efforts undertaken by the governments of the two countries to develop them. He added that Bahrain’s overall trade volume with Thailand (oil & non-oil) in 2017 was around 638 million dollars, a 19% increase from that of 2016. There are 26 companies registered in Bahrain with Thai partnership, and cover a wide spectrum of business activities. The Minister also encouraged the private sector from the Kingdom of Thailand to use Bahrain as their regional hub for the provision and distribution of goods and services utilizing our ports, logistics facilities, advanced industrial infrastructure facilities such as the Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP). The Minister accompanied the Thai delegation in a tour to a number of Ministry’s facilities and front offices such as Precious Metals & Gem Testing and Investors Center offices, where the minister briefed them on the services provided by the ministry.