A firm historical partnership that is renewed between Manama and Rome Meknes: Bahrain and Italy are a model for constructive cooperation in economics, culture and investment

Economic Affairs Editor

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bahraini Italian Friendship Association, Akram Meknes, stressed that the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of Italy are linked to strong historical relations based on mutual respect and constructive cooperation in various fields, as these ties began for decades, when Bahrain opened to Europe to enhance its economic and diplomatic presence, and Italy was one of the first European countries to establish a base of solid relations with the Kingdom.

He added that this cooperation is based on common denominators in the vision towards cultural openness, exchanging experiences, and enhancing the values ​​of peace and sustainable development, and repeated official meetings and high -level visits between the two countries’ leaders helped to consolidate and deepen these roots, which made the Bahraini Italian relationship a role model in international partnerships based on mutual interests and cultural openness.

Meknes explained that Bahrain today is home to more than 60 Italian commercial institutions in various sectors, as Italy is one of the main commercial partners of Bahrain in the Mediterranean Bahrain region, noting that Italy views the Bahraini market as an important market for strategic companies in the Gulf region, taking advantage of the flexible investment environment provided by the Kingdom and its strategic location as a gateway to regional markets, and in return Bahrain looks at Italy As a major partner who has extensive experience in the fields of innovation and industry, which enhances the chances of establishing joint projects and transferring knowledge.

Meknes pointed out that the continuous growth in trade exchange between the two countries not only reflects the depth of economic relations, but also the two countries’ keenness to develop a long -term partnership that benefits their peoples, and contributes to diversifying the sources of the economy, as Bahrain and Italy enjoy strong diplomatic and commercial relations for more than half a century that focused on cooperation in multiple areas such as the economy, culture and tourism, as the volume of trade exchange between the two countries reached towards the two countries towards the two countries $ 2.443 billion during the period from 2020 to 2024.

On the other hand, Meknes pointed out that the trade between Bahrain and Italy diversifies greatly, as Italy exports a wide range of commodities, including industrial machines, electrical equipment, cars and chemicals, while Bahrain exports to Italy oil, aluminum and metal muscles.

He added that the signing of the Italian Agency for Trade «ICE) is an agreement with the Economic Development Board significantly led to a significant increase in trade exchange and direct investments, as Bahrain’s imports from Italy recorded in the first half of the year 2024 an increase of 205 million euros to 230 million euros since the signing of the agreement with a market share of 22.4% during the first half of the year, and Italian exports to Bahrain witnessed an increase of a rate 14.6%, while imports grew by 17.8%, with a total increase in trade of 15.9%.

Meknes said: “The number of the Italian community residing in Bahrain is currently estimated at 750 Italian citizens, who occupy various jobs in various sectors, and contribute to the renaissance of the country, and they constitute a vivid model of integration into society and cultural and social coexistence between peoples. Through multiple fields that include business, education, arts, cooking, and social activities, their presence in enriching the Bahraini cultural scene is reflected through joint activities, exhibitions and initiatives that combine the rich Italian heritage and the authentic Bahraini character, and this community is seen as a human and civilized bridge that enhances direct communication between the two peoples, and paved the way to expand cooperation in economic and tourist areas And investment, which makes their presence in the Kingdom an effective element in consolidating relations and establishing more joint projects that benefit both parties.

He noted the meeting of the Minister of Finance and National Economy, Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, with the Minister of Economy and Finance in the Italian Republic, Giancarlo Giogeleti, at the beginning of this year, in the framework of his presidency of the delegation of the Kingdom of Bahrain, who visited the friendly Italian Republic to enhance economic and commercial relations between the two countries, stressing the importance of these visits in strengthening the path of distinguished bilateral relations and strategic partnerships that bring together the Kingdom of Bahrain and the friendly Republic Prospects for cooperation and joint work in various fields in a way that contributes to achieving common goals and aspirations.

He stressed that Italy is one of the largest economies of the eurozone, as it provides a profitable investment environment; This makes it an attractive destination for foreign investments, and added: “Italy is characterized by long -term strategic agreements with Gulf investment institutions in particular, such as the agreement concluded with Qatar Energy Company to supply LNG for 27 years. For Italy in the energy, infrastructure, and green technology sectors, and Kuwait has entered into an investment partnership of 2.2 billion euros, and the Sultanate of Oman has achieved returns exceeding 50% of its investments in Italian assets, which is an indication of the Gulf trend in general towards long -term investment in Italy.

Meknes explained that Italy is increasingly popular with Bahraini investors thanks to its strategic location near the Arab world, the quality of its infrastructure, its strong real estate sector, and its distinguished global brand “made in Italy”, which includes the fields of agriculture and nutrition, the auto industry, sports and fashion, especially in the light industries that the Italians are famous for.

Meknes said: “I have been visiting Italy regularly for nearly 40 years annually, until these visits have become a valuable opportunity to coexist with the features of the renaissance witnessed by this ancient European country, and I also enjoyed living its ancient effects that seem clear even in small villages, and in its social relations, as I follow the rich Italian experience in the field of developing industrial, tourism and service sectors, despite the economic challenges that it faces, Italy does not Its fame is limited to the arts of food, fashion and football, but also extends to the various tourism, information technology, and industrial innovation, which makes it an integrated country in its balance between the trauma and renewal ».

He indicated that the Bahraini Italian Friendship Association seeks to push towards reopening the direct line of direct flights between Manama and Rome, because of this a great impact in stimulating the trade movement and developing the tourism sector between the two sides, especially since Italy is one of the most prominent tourist destinations for Bahraini citizens, while the association continues to highlight the attractive ingredients that Bahrain possesses of the investors from competitive advantages and promising opportunities in the fields of financial services Industries and technology, in addition to the tourism, hospitality sectors and other vital fields.

Meknes said: «In February of the year 2018, I was honored by my choice as Chairman of the Board of Directors of this association, and my awareness of the volume of opportunities and gains that Bahrain and Italy can achieve while strengthening cooperation between them at all levels that prompted me to work hard, as we are in the Italian Italian Friendship Association we meet on the love of the other, and we believe in the importance of cultural, scientific, cognitive and economic rapprochement, and many Italians residing in Bahrain joined the association, We allocated a large part of our effort to spread the Italian language education in Bahrain, in addition to introducing the Italians in the Arabic language, and we also organized several joint activities in various educational, cultural and commercial fields.

Meknes appreciated the efforts of the Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Andrea Catallano in supporting the association within the framework of his permanent endeavors to enhance relations between his country and Bahrain, as he praised the tireless efforts of the Bahraini ambassador to Rome, Osama Al -Absi, who spares no effort in consolidating the bonds of friendship and cooperation with official and private institutions in Italy, and opening new horizons for cultural, economic and investment exchange between the two countries, He pointed out that these integrated efforts contributed to establishing a solid base of mutual understanding, and strengthened the presence of Bahrain and Italy as two strategic partners in various fields.

It is noteworthy that the Bahraini Italian Friendship Association was established in 2006 by a number of Italian and Bahraini diplomats and businessmen, a non -profit organization that aims to be a reference and a meeting point for the citizens of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Italian Republic interested in cultural, social, tourism, travel, education, science, sports and charitable work.