In a significant move to bolster regional trade, Italy’s Special Envoy for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, Ambassador Francesco Maria Talò, has identified Bahrain as a central ‘node’ in the corridor.
Taking to the GDN Media’s business editor Avinash Saxena, Mr Talò praised the kingdom’s ‘Sea-to-Air’ logistics and efficient customs as vital for transforming the corridor into a high-speed ‘network grid’.
Bahrain’s strategic standing as a global logistics powerhouse has received a major endorsement from Italy’s Special Envoy for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), Ambassador Francesco Maria Talò.
Following a series of high-level meetings in Manama, Ambassador Talò told the GDN that the kingdom is positioned as a ‘true protagonist’ in the burgeoning economic corridor, serving as a vital link between East and West.
The envoy’s visit follows a period of unprecedented diplomatic momentum.
In September 2025, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, conducted a landmark visit to Rome.
During this visit, a Strategic Investment and Collaboration Partnership (SIP) was signed, paving the way for investments exceeding €1 billion ($1.2bn) across energy, logistics and technology.
The relationship was further cemented in December 2025, when Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attended the 46th GCC Summit in Manama as a guest of honour.
She was the first Italian leader to do so, underscoring Rome’s long-term commitment to the region.
According to Ambassador Talò, Bahrain’s influence in the project transcends its geography.
While IMEC was initially conceived as a corridor, it is now maturing into a ‘multi-actor network grid’.
“Being a hub isn’t a question of physical size; it’s about relationships, openness, and efficiency,” the Ambassador noted.
“Bahrain is developing both physical and ‘human’ infrastructure. I am more convinced than ever that we can work together effectively within the IMEC framework.”
The kingdom’s efficient ‘Sea-to-Air’ hub and advanced customs systems are critical to this vision.
“Saving time is just as important as removing tariffs,” he explained.
“If goods are blocked for even one day, it is a cost. Bahrain has a very efficient customs system, and I am meeting with counterparts here to ensure we maximise that efficiency.”
The strategic pivot towards IMEC is backed by solid economic foundations.
Bilateral trade between the two nations reached approximately $791 million in 2024, representing a 20 per cent increase compared to 2020 and positioning Italy as Bahrain’s foremost European trading partner.
Italian exports to the kingdom were valued at nearly $455m, with the trade flow dominated by high-quality machinery, vehicles and specialised pharmaceutical products.
On the other side of the ledger, Bahraini exports to Italy totalled approximately $324m, a figure largely driven by the kingdom’s world-class aluminium industry and plastic products.
There are currently more than 130 Italian firms operating within the kingdom, contributing to a vibrant ‘human infrastructure’ that bridges Mediterranean and Gulf cultures.
The collaboration isn’t limited to shipping containers. The €1bn investment package is heavily weighted toward green energy and digital connectivity.
The ambassador highlighted the ‘Blue-Raman’ submarine cable project – a Google-led fibre-optic system linking Italy to India — as a cornerstone of this new digital ecosystem.
“Digital infrastructure is the essential ecosystem for the future,” he said, noting that Italian firm Sparkle is a key player.
“In energy, we focus on ‘technological neutrality’. Italian giant ENI is already a major player in Bahrain’s energy security and transition projects.”
Ambassador Talò also positioned IMEC as a vehicle for broader global stability, suggesting it could serve as a ‘Corridor for Peace’.
“It is often said that where trade happens, weapons are absent. When you develop common interests that improve lives on the ground, people discover they must work together,” he said.
Furthermore, he invited Bahrain to join Italy in a ‘real partnership’ with Africa, which he described as the ‘great hope’ for the future due to its wealth of critical minerals and population growth.
“Italy is pushing hard,” the ambassador concluded.
“We are building a great bridge between our regions.”
avinash@gdnmedia.bh
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