Attracting investment is not an end in itself, but a strategic tool that nations employ to drive sustainable and comprehensive development.
It conveys a compelling message to the world, that the country is stable, and its business climate is conducive to growth. Such a message builds trust, sustains the flow of capital, creates employment, and lays the foundation for a robust, forward-looking economy and society.
Bahrain, with its distinguished legacy as a hub of trade and business, continues to reinforce its standing as the Gulf’s premier investment gateway. This role finds powerful expression in the annual Gateway Gulf Investment Forum, an event that transcends the conventional boundaries of business gatherings. It is a dynamic arena where collaboration and innovation converge, unleashing the region’s immense potential and reaffirming Bahrain’s role as a nexus of opportunity within one of the world’s most vibrant and fast-evolving economic landscapes.
Having followed the growing anticipation surrounding this event, I commend the Economic Development Board (EDB) for its exceptional role in organising and elevating the Gateway Gulf Forum year after year. The EDB has continually raised the standard of participation, drawing together ministers and senior government officials from Bahrain and across the GCC, alongside leading CEOs and influential business figures from major economies across the US, Europe and Asia. It has also succeeded in attracting a distinguished network of investors and decision-makers who view the region as a fertile ground for high-growth and transformative opportunities.
Across its successive editions, the Gateway Gulf forum has demonstrated that it is far more than an intellectual exchange; it has evolved into a true catalyst for tangible investment. One previous edition, for example, concluded with strategic announcements and agreements surpassing $12 billion in value. These figures are not mere data points, they represent the creation of new economic arteries that channel vitality into local and regional development projects, generate employment, and directly advance the goals of sustainable development.
The forum also reinforces Bahrain’s stature as a prominent regional financial hub, offering international investors a sophisticated blend of flexibility, competitiveness, and stability. With its progressive regulatory environment, attractive investment incentives, and world-class infrastructure, the kingdom stands as the natural gateway to the wider GCC markets.
Bahrain’s success in hosting this distinguished platform reflects the depth of global confidence in its economy and in its capacity to uphold a transparent and stable investment ecosystem. More than a showcase of opportunity, the forum functions as an arena for meaningful dialogue, where challenges are openly examined, and innovative solutions are forged through active collaboration between the public and private sectors. This spirit of partnership is the hallmark of Bahrain’s investment philosophy and remains one of the defining strengths behind its sustained international appeal.
I would particularly like to commend the efforts of the EDB in reinforcing Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial and investment centre in the region. Guided by the Team Bahrain philosophy, which brings together the public and private sectors in seamless collaboration, the EDB operates as a dynamic and forward-looking investment promotion agency. Its mission is to attract high-value, transformative projects that deliver tangible developmental impact and long-term prosperity. In 2018, I had the privilege of joining an investment roadshow organised by the board in Italy, where I witnessed first-hand the exceptional professionalism and dedication of Bahraini talent as they presented the kingdom’s opportunities to Italian and international investors.
Bahrain’s achievement in drawing substantial investment through platforms such as the Gateway Gulf forum stands as powerful testimony to the kingdom’s determination to play a leading role in shaping the region’s economic future. It serves as a bridge connecting global capital with Gulf opportunities, while upholding the principles of dialogue, partnership, and innovation as pathways toward sustainable growth and shared prosperity for all.
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