Manama : The Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) today hosted a high-level business delegation from France as part of a two-day visit organised by the investment promotion agency in collaboration with MEDEF, the first network for entrepreneurs in France.
The visit is set to comprise exclusive business events and strategic meetings with representatives from Bahrain’s public and private sectors.
Discussions focused on sharing value-adding business opportunities across priority sectors, namely financial services, manufacturing, ICT, logistics, and tourism.
As part of the visit, and to further strengthen investment ties between the two countries, Bahrain EDB organised meetings with key entities, including the Ministry of Oil and Environment, the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Central Bank of Bahrain, Tamkeen, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, Mumtalakat, Bapco Energies, the French Embassy in Bahrain, the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bahrain, and BNP Paribas.
Bahrain hosts several prominent French companies, including BNP Paribas, Nextcare, Fives Solios, Thales, Accor, Egis International, and Veolia. Non-oil trade between Bahrain and France has experienced significant growth, rising by 27% from USD 334 million in 2019 to over USD 425 million in 2022.
In 2024, Bahrain EDB successfully attracted over USD 1.8 billion in direct investment from 99 local and international projects. These investments are projected to create over 7,400 employment opportunities over a three-year period.
