The Iranian attacks against GCC states pressure-tested the region’s supply chain resilience this year and offered many lessons, the most important of which is regional integration, a top forum held in Bahrain heard yesterday.
Speaking during the high-level opening session of the ‘Made In GCC’ forum and expo held at Exhibition World Bahrain, Saudi Arabian Energy Minister and Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud highlighted the importance of an integrated and inclusive ecosystem across the region to build resilience for the future.
Prince Abdulaziz also highlighted the deep bond between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia as a solid foundation on which to build further collaboration and regional cohesion.
The comments came during a fireside chat between Bahrain’s Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and Prince Abdulaziz, during which the two discussed key priorities for the future of the region.
Prince Abdulaziz noted that ecosystems must be integrated, citing the example of Saudi Arabia, where he is working on integrating sectors like mining and energy.
He also noted the importance of integrating innovation into the system.
Prince Abdulaziz highlighted the King Fahad Causeway as a bridge cementing deep bonds between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, pointing to it as an example of deepening ties across the region.
Shaikh Salman noted that the region has experienced rapid expansion in the last 90 years as oil-rich countries have built refineries, ports and related infrastructure. Looking to the future, the two leaders highlighted integrating GCC value chains as a key objective.
The opening session explored the future of industry and energy within the GCC nations, highlighting key transformations reshaping both sectors to drive economic growth and regional competitiveness.
This session was followed by one focused on investment, export and growth from local to regional and global markets.
Focusing on key drivers for industrial expansion into international markets, this panel covered financing, investment, capacity building and export acceleration.
Industrial policies, trade agreements, global value chain connections and international strategic partnerships were discussed during the conversation between Bahrain’s Industry and Commerce Minister Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Qatar Foreign Trade Affairs Minister Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed, Saudi Industrial Development Fund chief executive Prince Sultan bin Khalid bin Faisal Al Saud and UK’s His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Pakistan Gemma Stevenson.
The next session, titled ‘Industrial Integration and Regional Value Chains’, discussed establishing interconnected supply networks by linking manufacturing capabilities, economic zones, logistics infrastructure and private investments. Speakers included Jordanian Industry, Trade and Supply Minister Yarub Qudah and Bahrain Oil and Environment Minister Dr Mohamed Bin Daina.
The final session of the day, titled ‘Sustainability and Resilience of the Industrial Ecosystem’, was postponed.
The forum concludes today, with sessions centred on infrastructure, sustainability, financing mechanisms, smart factories, industrial partnerships and developing national talent across the GCC.
The two-day event was held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad and also featured an exhibition, where vendors from across the GCC highlighted products to build industrial partnerships and expand their market.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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