Bahrain EDB kicks off strategic visit to Germany deepening investment ties
Manama, Nov. 23 (BNA): The Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) has begun a three-day strategic visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, including official meetings and engagements with the private sector, aimed at deepening economic relations and highlighting the Kingdom of Bahrain’s role as the ideal Gulf investment destination for European companies seeking to expand into the Middle East.
The visit is led by Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of the Bahrain EDB, and brings together the investment promotion team in key economic sectors to engage German business leaders and investors in advanced and emerging industries and logistics.
Ali Alkhulaif said: "Germany and Bahrain share a relationship anchored in innovation, engineering excellence, and long-term economic partnership. This visit is about unlocking the next chapter, creating pathways for German companies to scale across the Middle East from a stable, efficient, and high-connectivity base in Bahrain."
Relations between Bahrain and Germany have continued to develop economically and in terms of investment, with bilateral non-oil trade exceeding USD 550 million in 2024, and German cumulative direct investment surpassing USD 150 million, driven by growing interest in Bahrain and the Gulf market.
German companies play an important role in Bahrain’s manufacturing and logistics sector. A number of German companies have expanded their operations in the Kingdom, including DHL, which operates its Middle East and North Africa hub in Bahrain, DB Schenker, BASF, Armacell, RMA Pipeline Equipment, and Kuehne + Nagel, benefiting from the Kingdom’s strategic location, competitive operational costs, and a regulatory environment consistently ranked among the most business-friendly in the region.
Bahrain is increasingly attracting the interest of German investors due to its unique position as a gateway to the USD 2 trillion GCC market, with its direct proximity to Saudi Arabia providing exceptional regional access.
The Kingdom offers several competitive advantages, including its strategic location and skilled workforce proficient in Arabic and English, which has the highest national participation rate in the private sector across the GCC, providing global companies with strong local talent to expand their operations.
Bahrain also features a logistics zone that provides seamless connectivity by air, sea, and via the causeway linking it to Saudi Arabia, enabling same-day access to major GCC cities and making the Kingdom one of the most efficient operational hubs in the region.
The visit to Germany, which includes a series of high-level meetings, business networking events, and investor engagements, forms part of the Bahrain EDB’s strategy to enhance global investment cooperation, attract high-quality investments, strengthen economic partnerships, and reinforce Bahrain’s position as the region’s most agile business hub.
