EXPORTS of Danish products to Bahrain witnessed a 10 per cent increase last year compared with 2018, it was revealed.
Medicinal and pharmaceutical products were on the top of the list, accounting for a total of 103.9 million kroner (BD5.9m).
According to official statistics, Bahrain was Denmark’s 91st largest goods export market in 2019, with a total worth of Kr 293.2m, which was a 10.1pc increase compared with 2018.
This has been described as a promising sign by Denmark’s Ambassador to Bahrain Ole Moesby, who told the GDN in an exclusive interview he was optimistic of furthering bilateral ties, especially involving Danish companies that could generate jobs in the local market.
Mr Moesby, who is also the envoy to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Yemen, also revealed that in the first two months of this year, Danish exports of goods to Bahrain were worth Kr 63.9m, a rise of 2.2pc compared with the same time period last year which was at Kr 62.5m.
Promising
“Denmark has trade relations with countries all over the world, including Bahrain, which is subdued due to Covid-19 of late, as with every other country,” Mr Moesby told the GDN.
“We have seen an increase in exports in the last two to three years, though not to a very high level, but trade relations are important and we are moving in the right direction.
“Bahrain is one of the countries improving in various indices, as in World Economic Forum, World Bank and others, which is positive.”
Exports from Bahrain to Denmark also touched Kr 41m last year, a rise of 452pc compared with 2018.
In the first two months of this year, export of goods from Bahrain were worth Kr 2.1m, a rise of 48.1pc compared with the same period last year (Kr 1.4m).
There are approximately seven Danish companies operating in Bahrain.
They are Arla, a state-of-the-art cheese production site operating since October 2019; catalysts and technology for chemical and refining industries Haldor Topsoe; architects, structural and geotechnical engineers COWI; design collective Bahraini-Danish; leading paint supplier Hempel which opened its first office in Bahrain in 1972; worldwide water freight services Maersk Bahrain which has been operating here since 2000; and CrossWorkers, Scandinavian managed supplier of high-end Arabic speaking IT Offshore/Nearshore/Outstaffing services.
“Arla with 105 employees, will also create more than 100 direct jobs over the next two to three years in the local market,” said Mr Moesby.
“CrossWorkers established in 2014 is supporting Bahrain’s ambitions of becoming a tech centre in the Gulf region, while ‘bahraini-danish’ was named after the many historical encounters between Denmark and Bahrain, especially in archaeology, architecture and dairy production.
“The three architects were involved in the renovation of Marienborg, the official residence of Denmark’s Prime Minister, in 2019.
Dynamism
“We are hopeful of dynamism and innovation in business approaches from Danish companies in the current situation, especially, at a time when smaller countries will have to find ways to survive in the international market.
“There are lots of joint approaches, which could be mutually beneficial.”
Another area of bilateral collaboration is geological excavation, noted the envoy, highlighting the friendship since 1953, dating back to the time when Danish Moesgaard Museum and Aarhus University started exploring Bahrain’s unique Bronze Age burial sites.
“Ever since we have continuously worked on exploring archaeological sites in Bahrain and the latest was in February 2020,” added the ambassador.
“It is great to note that the Bahrain National Museum was designed by the Danish architect Knud Holscher and also the Danish consultants and engineers who completed the study, design and construction supervision of the King Fahad Causeway.
“The Danish Moesgaard Museum will continue to plan excursions to Bahrain to conduct excavations at the many archaeological and cultural sites.
“The dates for their next visit are not determined yet.”
Mr Moesby, who is based in Riyadh since September 2017, is responsible for the approximately 70 adults and their children residing in Bahrain – adding that his nationals were “satisfied in the kingdom”.
“Some of them have lived in Bahrain for more than 20 years and some of them are newcomers, but the community seems to be thriving in Bahrain and is satisfied,” he added.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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