Landmark event in Manama draws over 20,000 participants, boosting prospects for trade and investment between Pakistan and Bahrain.
Key Takeaways:
1. $13 Million in Contracts: Pakistani companies signed over $13 million in investment deals at the first Pakistan-Bahrain Investment Summit, with more deals expected as follow-ups mature.
2. Strengthened Bilateral Ties: The event marks a new chapter in Pakistan-Bahrain economic relations, with both sides committed to deepening trade and investment.
3. Focus on Diverse Sectors: The summit highlighted opportunities in IT, finance, tourism, and real estate, aligning with Pakistan’s broader strategy to attract foreign investment and boost economic recovery.
Money Matters Monitoring – In a significant boost to Pakistan’s economic diplomacy, Pakistani companies inked contracts worth over $13 million during the first-ever Pakistan-Bahrain Investment Opportunities Summit and Smart Expo, held in Manama on May 17. The event, organized by the Pakistan Association of Exhibition Industry (PAEI) in collaboration with the Pakistani embassy in Bahrain, showcased Pakistan’s investment-ready projects to a diverse audience of over 20,000 delegates, including Bahraini business leaders and members of the overseas Pakistani community.
According to Mohammad Khurshid Barlas, founder of PAEI and chief organizer of the summit, the contracts span multiple sectors, including information technology, stock exchange, tourism, human resource services, and real estate. “This figure is expected to increase further as many leads generated during the event are currently in follow-up stages and likely to mature soon,” Barlas told Arab News.
The summit featured 25 Pakistani companies and more than 125 delegates, reflecting Pakistan’s commitment to attracting foreign investment and expanding bilateral economic ties. Discussions at the event covered a wide range of topics, such as capital markets, overseas employment, real estate, and tourism—areas where Pakistan seeks to leverage its strengths and foster international partnerships.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Bahrain, Saqib Rauf, described the event as the beginning of a “promising series of engagements” aimed at deepening trade and investment ties with Bahrain. “Our goal is to foster synergies between businesses and pave the way for a stronger and more dynamic partnership between our nations,” Rauf said.
Zahid Latif Khan, chairman of ZLK Islamic Financial Services and a key participant at the summit, noted the positive perception of Pakistan among Middle Eastern investors. “People in the region are viewing Pakistan from a very positive perspective as we witnessed a renewed sense of hope and enthusiasm for doing business and trade with Pakistan,” he said.
The summit comes at a pivotal time as Pakistan seeks to recover from economic challenges and increase foreign trade, particularly with Gulf countries. The formation of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in June 2023 underscores Islamabad’s efforts to attract international investment in sectors such as mines, minerals, agriculture, livestock, and tourism.
Currently, Pakistan’s trade with Bahrain ranges between $500 million and $1 billion, with major exports including meat, vegetables, rice, tobacco, and textiles, while imports from Bahrain consist mainly of petroleum products, ferrous waste, scrap, and aluminum.
