Date:15/01/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/01/15/stories/2004011507231300.htm

National

Bahrain for closer economic ties with India

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 14. Favouring closer socio-economic and trade ties with India, Bahrain today emphasised the need for stepping up people-to-people contact through increased communication to help discuss issues of mutual benefit. The Prime Minister of Bahrain, Nah Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, said more frequent visits between the people and officials of both countries would be mutually beneficial as this would give the opportunity to know each others' resources and potential and develop a better understanding.

Speaking at a FICCI-CII business meeting here, he invited Indian investors to tap the country's potential in areas of IT, tourism and healthcare services even as his Commerce Minister, Ali Saleh al-Saleh, suggested that industries should not be restricted to Bahrain alone as "the entire region is a potential market for Indian businessmen and could be easily accessed through a regional base in Bahrain."

Highlighting Bahrain's strategic geographical location in the Gulf region backed by solid infrastructure and investor-friendly policies, Al Saleh said he expected "greater investments" from India.

The CII today signed an MoU with the Bahrain Businessmen's Association (BBA) to promote bilateral trade and economic activities. The MoU, signed by the chairman of the CII Council for Middle East and Gulf, M.A. Pathan, and BBA's Khalid A. Almoayed, is also aimed at increasing investment in both the countries, joint ventures and technology transfer.