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A high-powered delegation, led by Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, has embarked on a three-day strategic visit to Italy.
Featuring a series of curated business events, as well as official and private sector meetings, the visit aims to strengthen economic and trade ties between Bahrain and Italy.
During the multi-city visit, which includes Rome, Parma and Milan, the official delegation is expected to highlight Bahrain’s diverse investment offering across priority sectors, including financial services, ICT manufacturing, logistics and tourism.
Bahrain’s delegation also includes Sustainable Development Minister and Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) chief executive Noor Al Khulaif, Central Bank of Bahrain Governor Khalid Humaidan, Mumtalakat CEO Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister’s Office director-general Hamad Al Mahmeed, Bahrain EDB chief of business development Ali Al Mudaifa, Bahrain EDB chief of marketing and communications Mohammed AlAlawi; Bahrain EDB adviser to the chief executive Ugo Vincenzini and Bahrain EDB head of manufacturing, logistics and transport Mohamed Al Madani.
This visit underscores Bahrain’s strategic efforts to attract investment, fostering economic growth, and creating employment opportunities. It forms part of the kingdom’s broader strategic efforts to position the kingdom as a competitive regional hub for international business, reaffirming Bahrain’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding partnership with Italy and fostering mutually beneficial economic collaborations.
Bahrain and Italy share a robust history of economic and trade ties that date back to 1973, where recent bilateral agreements include granting Italy partnership status for sea-to-air freight services. Trade between Bahrain and Italy has grown steadily over the past years, with overall non-oil trade reaching $775 million in 2024.
Additionally, the two countries have signed two economic agreements relating to the protection of investments and equal treatment of anchorage and port taxes.
Today, Bahrain is home to numerous Italian companies benefiting from the kingdom’s strategic value proposition. Notable recent examples include the Italian pasta producer Barilla’s setting up an office in Bahrain to serve as the central hub to support the company’s expansion plans into the Mena market.
Additionally, the racing components manufacturer Racing Force expanded its Bahrain headquarters to double its production of Bell Racing helmets to meet growing demand globally. With its unparalleled regional and global market access, advanced digital infrastructure, and competitive operational costs, Bahrain presents investment opportunities for Italian businesses seeking to expand their footprint in the Middle East and beyond.
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