Latest news with #SameerNass
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Targets Polish Gateway
TDT| Manama Bahrain is placing a bold bet on Eastern Europe, positioning itself as a Gulf gateway for Polish investors amid its long-term push to diversify beyond oil. Gateway ambitions Speaking at the Bahrain–Poland Economic Forum, His Excellency Sameer Nass, Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber, spotlighted the Kingdom's evolution into a regional hub linking the Gulf, Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia. H.E. cited Bahrain's advanced banking and financial landscape, home to more than 400 offshore banks, and growing strengths in innovation, transport, and engineering. H.E. Nass praised Poland's capabilities and urged stronger partnerships in food security, education, and advanced manufacturing, calling for more joint exhibitions to connect businesses in both nations. Lublin's pitch Polish leaders responded in kind. Marshal of the Lublin Voivodeship, Jarosław Stawiarski, hailed the forum as a milestone for bilateral economic ties and positioned Lublin as a strategic European partner. He pointed to the region's academic depth, agricultural strengths, and investor-friendly environment. Head of International Cooperation at the Lublin City Office, Ewelina Graban, added that investors in the region benefit from tax refunds of up to 70% for 15 years, access to Europe's largest dry port, and a modern airport, making Lublin an ideal logistics base for Gulf outreach. Bahrain's outreach Representing the Bahrain Chamber, board members and officials used the platform to underline Bahrain's private sector capabilities. Board Member Ahmed AlSaloom said Bahrain could serve as a springboard for Polish exports and investments entering the wider Gulf. He highlighted opportunities in technology, renewable energy, and green hydrogen. Dr. Waheeb Alkhaja echoed that momentum, calling for deeper collaboration in education and research through joint programmes that align with Bahrain's national education strategy. Vice Treasurer of the Chamber and Head of its Steering Committee said the Chamber's sectoral committees were actively generating data-driven insights to improve competitiveness and policy alignment. Growing momentum The forum welcomed over 40 Polish companies, many seeking entry into Gulf markets. Discussions culminated in the signing of a memorandum of understanding aimed at deepening cooperation across food security, finance, manufacturing, education, and technology. The gathering signalled both countries' commitment to repositioning their economic strategies through mutual investment and sectoral innovation.
Daily Tribune
22-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Expands Russian Ties Through Seven MOUs
TDT | Manama Bahrain is expanding its global economic footprint, signing seven private-sector MOUs with Russian economic bodies at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2025. The agreements underscore the Kingdom's growing drive to link Bahraini enterprises with new international markets. Bahrain Chamber, led by its Chairman H.E. Sameer Nass, engaged with several prominent Russian institutions to strengthen cooperation across trade, investment, industry, tourism, and logistics. The forum served as a platform to formalise commercial partnerships and unlock long-term cross-border business opportunities. Chamber Signs Seven MOUs The Chamber signed memorandums of understanding with seven institutions under the Russian Federation: Roscongress Foundation, and regional chambers representing Moscow, Chechnya, Krasnodar, Yakutia, and Lipetsk. Each agreement focuses on exchanging economic and investment data, co-hosting exhibitions and trade delegations, and facilitating sector-specific projects that support SMEs and key sectors looking to expand into new regions. 'These MOUs reflect our strategy to connect Bahraini businesses with promising global markets,' said H.E. Nass. 'They represent opportunities for SMEs and key sectors looking to expand into new regions.' Supporting SMEs Khalid Najibi, First Vice Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber, said the agreements align with the Chamber's mission to unlock international investment opportunities. Board Member Ahmed Al Saloom added that the MOUs provide tangible benefits for small and medium enterprises. 'Strategic partnerships like these give our businesses real leverage to expand and innovate internationally,' he said. Global Presence The Chamber reaffirmed its support for Bahraini SMEs and its commitment to opening global market pathways in line with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030. Officials noted that the private sector remains central to local development and that these agreements will further solidify Bahrain's economic presence on the global stage.
Daily Tribune
20-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain builds Russia trade links
TDT | Manama Bahrain is positioning itself as the region's next re-export powerhouse, using its participation at a major Russian economic forum to court investment, deepen private-sector ties, and showcase its logistics edge to international partners. During his participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2025, His Excellency Sameer Nass, Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that promoting the national economy and enhancing international investments is a strategic priority for the Kingdom. H.E. underlined Bahrain's ambition to become a key re-export platform, citing its strategic location and advanced logistics capabilities as core advantages. 'Russia is an important partner for Bahrain,' H.E. Nass said, leading a Chamber delegation to the event, which drew over 20,000 global participants from 140 countries. 'Our bilateral ties continue to evolve, especially in sectors like manufacturing and technology transfer, where we see immense opportunity,' H.E. sated. Gateway ambitions H.E. Nass highlighted Bahrain's plans to repurpose its logistics strength into a regional re-packaging and distribution centre. His Excellency emphasised the potential for joint ventures between Bahraini and Russian firms to create competitive advantages in diversified industrial sectors, supporting the Kingdom's broader vision of economic diversification. The Chamber, H.E. added, is intensifying its efforts to form durable global partnerships that support Bahrain's position as an investment-friendly business hub and attract new capital into fields such as technology, manufacturing, and trade logistics. Private-sector diplomacy The Chamber's First Vice Chairman, Khalid Najibi, who also chairs the Bahraini side of the Bahrain-Russia Business Council, said the SPIEF platform is being used to connect private sectors across both countries. 'We're promoting Bahrain's business environment and exploring new strategic alliances,' he noted, pointing to the forum as an opportunity to unlock joint investment projects and expand private-sector cooperation. Najibi said particular attention is being given to SMEs and emerging Bahraini enterprises that stand to benefit from direct engagement with Russian counterparts. SME spotlight Board Member Ahmed Al-Saloom reinforced the Chamber's focus on the small and medium-sized enterprise sector, calling it the foundation of Bahrain's commercial structure. He praised the forum for offering SMEs visibility on a global stage and access to new foreign market opportunities. He credited the Government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for prioritising SME development within the Kingdom's economic growth strategy. As SPIEF continues to serve as a global marketplace for strategic partnerships, Bahrain is using the platform to shift its trade model toward high-value re-export services, forging new business pathways in a changing global economy.
Daily Tribune
16-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain eyes Nigeria, Africa's largest economy
TDT | Manama Bahrain is deepening its outreach to Africa's largest economy, as the Bahrain Chamber signalled interest in boosting trade and investment ties with Nigeria during high-level talks on Sunday. Africa Strategy Chairman H.E. Sameer Nass received H.E. Murtala Jimoh, the Kuwait-based Charge d'Affaires of the Federal Republic of Nigeria accredited to Bahrain, for a meeting focused on bilateral trade, which reached $24.7 million in 2024. The discussion centred on expanding cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, and energy. Ambassador Jimoh suggested signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Bahrain Chamber and its Nigerian counterpart to facilitate direct links between entrepreneurs, business delegations, and investment forums. Chamber Role H.E. Nass highlighted the Chamber's role as a key enabler of Bahrain's economic diplomacy, noting that building ties with emerging economies like Nigeria is part of a broader vision to diversify trade partners and open up new global corridors for Bahraini businesses. H.E. reaffirmed the Chamber's commitment to working with both brotherly and friendly nations to strengthen private sector growth and global integration. Investment Potential H.E. Ambassador Jimoh, in turn, spoke about Nigeria's economic reforms and ongoing diversification, positioning the country as an appealing market for foreign investors from Bahrain. He expressed confidence that formal collaboration could unlock win-win opportunities. The meeting was also attended by Second Vice-Chairman Mohammed Al Kooheji, Vice-Treasurer Waleed Kanoo, and Board Member Youssuf Salahuddin. The Chamber is expected to explore next steps in formalising ties with Nigeria in the weeks ahead.
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Bahrain's economy is on track for significant transformation
Bahrain's economy is poised for a significant transformation following the inaugural Bab Al Bahrain Forum organised by the Bahrain Chamber, with comprehensive recommendations emerging to forge a sustainable future for trade and employment amidst global economic shifts. Held last month under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the high-profile event convened international leaders, policymakers, and economic experts at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay to address pressing global challenges and chart a path for economic growth and resilience. Bahrain Chamber chairman Sameer Nass revealed at a Press conference yesterday that the forum generated more than 200 recommendations, including 36 key strategic proposals. These initiatives are meticulously crafted to bolster Bahrain's and the broader Gulf region's economic landscape across critical sectors. Besides the chairman, the Press conference was attended by first vice-chairman Khalid Najibi, second vice-chairman Mohamed Alkoheji as well as members of the executive committee, the board, and key management officials. 'Key high-impact recommendations spanned sectors including food, health, industry and energy, transport and logistics, finance, insurance and taxes, education and training, hospitality and tourism, commercial markets, technology, and real estate and construction,' said Mr Nass. In the food sector, proposals included launching national investment initiatives, establishing strategic food warehouses, facilitating food product exports, and developing public-private partnerships for modern central markets to enhance national food security and market access. 'Ensuring our food security through strategic partnerships and robust infrastructure is paramount for Bahrain's long-term stability,' he added. For health, recommendations focussed on forming a higher national committee for sustainable health policies and launching an international health accreditation initiative with financial and technical support to bolster the sector's quality and competitiveness. The industry and energy sector highlighted activating renewable energy adoption through new laws, improving efficiency in large-scale industries, and establishing an independent sustainable energy authority. 'The transition to green energy is not just an environmental imperative but a significant economic opportunity for Bahrain,' said Mr Nass. In transport and logistics, calls were made for strategic incentive packages for infrastructure investment, redesigning regulatory frameworks, and establishing unified systems to streamline clearance procedures and enhance competitive services. As for finance, insurance and taxes, the recommendations address concerns over tax policy, advocating for maintaining Bahrain's competitiveness with lower taxes, ensuring clarity on tax frameworks, implementing e-invoicing, and promoting innovation in banking products, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The education and training sector is seeking to implement educational tourism and has urged greater autonomy to institutions in curriculum development, alongside facilitating admission and visa procedures for international students. For hospitality and tourism, recommendations included launching a national qualification programme, prioritising Bahraini hiring managers, and integrating tourism into school curricula. To address challenges facing commercial markets, the chamber has focused on policy reviews for startups, proposing updated laws, flexible rental payment packages, and postponing VAT collection on imported goods until after the sale process. 'As for the technology sector, our aim at the chamber, is to address funding difficulties for startups by establishing a dedicated investment fund and organising awareness sessions for financing proposals. Supporting our tech startups with dedicated funding and guidance is crucial for driving innovation and diversifying our economy,' Mr Nass added. In real estate and construction, proposals included establishing a public company for basic material supply and facilitating property purchase and financing for foreign investors. Beyond sectoral specifics, the forum outlined broader strategic themes, emphasising 'Global Transformations and Economic Resilience' through diversification and infrastructure development, and Gulf economic integration via unified policies in trade and food security. The forum underscored the imperative of Digital and Green Transformation, promoting AI adoption and circular economies. 'Our strategies for global trade and supply chains included localising high-value flows and leveraging predictive analytics and blockchain. The forum also stressed private sector empowerment, advocating for collaborative ecosystems to stimulate innovation,' he added. Discussions on Emerging Market Strategies drew lessons from successful economies, while Innovation and Intellectual Property Policies focused on enhancing IP laws and R&D incentives. A strong commitment to Sustainable Growth and ESG Standards was evident, alongside addressing Future Challenges and Climate Adaptation through restructured economic programs and regional investment blocs. 'Our collective commitment to sustainability and ESG standards will be the bedrock of long-term economic stability and growth,' said Mr Nass. The forum saw significant participation from international institutions, including the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), alongside the GCC General Secretariat, underscoring a collective commitment to fostering a stable, sustainable, and inclusive economic future for Bahrain and the wider region. Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
