The UAE and Bahrain are seeking to expand their cooperation in key sectors including transport, logistics and infrastructure. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, recently received Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications.
The two ministers explored ways to implement the joint MoU in transport, which aims to exchange technical and administrative experiences, join forces in national workforce training and capacity building, and drive joint projects in sustainable mobility, autonomous driving and digital transformation.
The visit falls in line with the two countries’ commitment to strengthening synergies across the board and contributing to regional socio-economic development.
Improving port competitiveness in focus
The two ministers discussed cooperation opportunities in developing the infrastructure for ports and logistics services, with the aim of improving ports’ competitiveness and keeping pace with global trends in maritime transport.
“During the meeting, we focused on exploring ways to strengthen ties between the two countries and build a partnership model based on knowledge and expertise exchange, as well as the development of joint projects that contribute to achieving the strategic goals of the region,” said Al Mazrouei.
He added that the meeting was an ideal opportunity for building advanced partnerships in the fields of transport, legislation, and infrastructure—contributing to a shared vision between the UAE and Bahrain for a more interconnected and sustainable future.
Al Mazrouei also praised the depth and strength of the relations between the UAE and Bahrain, affirming that this historic relationship forms a fundamental pillar for enhancing strategic partnerships across various sectors and fulfilling the aspirations of the leaderships of both countries toward developmental integration that serves mutual interests.
For his part, Dr. Al Khalifa said, “Bahrain has an ambitious strategy to develop an integrated and sustainable transport ecosystem that serves maritime, air and land transport, in line with the aspirations of the government and Bahrain’s Vision 2030. Investment in capabilities is essential. We look forward to benefiting from the UAE’s successful experiences across the board.”
UAE, Bahrain strengthen bilateral ties
Earlier this year, the UAE President visited the King of Bahrain, where they engaged in discussions that reflected the deep-rooted fraternal bonds between the two countries and their peoples. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to enhancing cooperation across all sectors to support development priorities and ensure sustainable prosperity for both nations and their citizens.
The UAE and Bahrain continue to strengthen their bilateral relations. Non-oil trade between the two countries reached AED15.3 billion during the first half of 2024, marking a 26 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Moreover, the robust economic connections between the UAE and Bahrain, which encompass various agreements and memoranda of understanding, have played a crucial role in driving significant growth in bilateral trade.
In 2023, the UAE accounted for 10 percent of Bahrain’s foreign direct investment (FDI) stocks, securing third place. According to the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), Bahrain achieved a record $6.8 billion in FDI inflows in 2023, underscoring the importance of the UAE and Bahrain partnership in fostering economic development.
