UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain at his residence in Abu Dhabi.
During this meeting, His Highness and His Majesty engaged in cordial and fraternal discussions that highlighted the profound bonds between the two nations and their peoples. The dialogue also focused on the enduring cooperation between the UAE and Bahrain, exploring further avenues to strengthen their relationship in support of shared interests and aspirations for ongoing progress, development, and prosperity.
The gathering was attended by H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Martyrs Families Affairs, along with H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs.
Additionally, Lieutenant General H.H. Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security Advisor, Royal Guard Commander, and Secretary General of the Supreme Defence Council of Bahrain, was present, along with H.H. Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and President of the General Sports Authority (GSA) of Bahrain, along with several high-ranking officials from both sides.
Read more: UAE President, Bahrain King reaffirm commitment to cooperation and development
Growing trade ties
On the economic front, the UAE and Bahrain are vigorously strengthening their bilateral relations. Non-oil trade between the two nations reached AED15.3 billion ($4.16 billion) in the first half of 2024, marking a 26 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Furthermore, the robust economic connections between the UAE and Bahrain, encompassing a range of agreements and memoranda of understanding, have played a key role in fostering significant growth in bilateral trade.
In 2023, the UAE represented 10 percent of Bahrain’s foreign direct investment (FDI) stocks, securing a commendable third place. According to the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), Bahrain recorded a $6.8 billion in FDI inflows in 2023, highlighting the significance of the partnership between the UAE and Bahrain in promoting economic development.
