Industry
From The Report: Bahrain 2023
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Bahrain’s manufacturing industry is a key contributor to non-oil GDP and is one of the priority sectors targeted by the government to drive economic diversification. Aluminium manufacturing, led by the majority government-owned enterprise Aluminium Bahrain, is the country’s largest industrial segment. The kingdom’s globally competitive capabilities and output will be further leveraged through downstream infrastructure expansion. The government has identified increased investment and activity in the manufacturing segment as a critical component of its plans to establish the country as a competitive logistics centre. This will also enable the kingdom to supply its major ongoing infrastructure development programmes with locally produced materials.

This chapter contains interviews with Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce and Sameer Abdulla Nass, Chairman, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Building blocks: Industrial zones, free trade agreements and efforts to improve the investment climate lay the groundwork for a period of growth
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Bahrain’s manufacturing industry is a key contributor to non-oil GDP and is one of the priority sectors targeted by the government to drive economic diversification. Aluminium manufacturing, led by the majority government-owned enterprise Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), is the country’s largest industrial segment. The kingdom’s globally competitive capabilities and output will be further leveraged through downstream infrastructure expansion. The government has identified increased investment and…

Analysis

Empowering business: Strengthening ties with trading partners and establishing free zones to help increase the kingdom’s regional and global influence
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In February 2022 Bahrain commenced construction on the US Trade Zone (USTZ), following a memorandum of understanding signed in January 2021 between the US Department of Commerce and Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Located in Salman Industrial City, it is expected to become operational by 2024. The project has received $40m as an initial investment, which will eventually be expanded to $200m. The USTZ will cover a total area of 1.1m sq metres. By establishing clusters in the USTZ, US…

Interview

Driving development: Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, on increasing exports and boosting digitalisation
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Interview:Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro Where do you identify the main priorities to effectively help the country meet the goals of the Industrial Sector Strategy 2022-26? ABDULLA BIN ADEL FAKHRO: The key priority is to facilitate the adoption of the Fourth Industrial Revolution while actively encouraging investment in technology infrastructure and improving transport and logistics networks. The industrial strategy emphasises the revitalisation of the market by encouraging local procurement, fostering…

Interview

Room to grow: Sameer Abdulla Nass, Chairman, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), on diversification and reform
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Interview:Sameer Abdulla Nass What opportunities exist to develop the financial ecosystem for entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) creation? SAMEER ABDULLA NASS: The most pressing challenge for entrepreneurs and SMEs is related to their ability to secure financing. Understandably, many banking institutions have strong prerequisites and risk-aversion mechanisms that limit their participation in SME financing. In order to facilitate SME access to credit, the BCCI recommends…

Analysis

Green solutions: The MENA region is poised to lead global steel decarbonisation
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As global industry seeks to reduce or eliminate its carbon footprint, a number of MENA countries are investing in green steel production to capture market share and help meet emissions targets. Industry generates 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually, with the steel manufacturing segment accounting for the largest share, at 7%, due in part to a reliance on coal to heat smelting furnaces. According to a September 2022 report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis,…