Bahrain could soon become a regional centre for manufacturing baby care products under a new parliamentary initiative.
The proposal aims to attract local and international investments to establish production facilities for products ranging from baby colognes to shampoos and oils in the kingdom.
The idea is to take advantage of Bahrain’s favourable trade agreement with the US and not only develop home-grown baby care products but also become a trusted manufacturing base for major international companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Aveeno.
“This is a promising and untapped sector in our region,” said Strategic Thinking Bloc president Ahmed Al Salloom, who is spearheading the proposal, in an exclusive interview with the GDN.
“With Bahrain’s strategic location, skilled workforce and the Bahrain-US Free Trade Agreement, we are in a strong position to manufacture high-quality baby care products either under local labels or on behalf of global brands,” added Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee chairman, Bahrain Chamber board member and Bahrain Small and Medium Enterprises Development Society chairman.
He added that the proposal had both economic and strategic value, as it supported diversification efforts and aligned with Bahrain’s long-term goals of creating high-value, export-oriented industries beyond the oil and gas sector.
“The baby care products industry is resilient. Parents always seek quality and safety in products they use for their children,” explained Mr Al Salloom.
“If we establish a reliable production base in Bahrain, we can gain consumer trust and penetrate regional and international markets, especially the US, where demand is strong and standards are high.”
Mr Al Salloom, who is also Better Life Society chairman, stated that the next steps involved forming a working group in co-operation with Bahrain’s Economic Development Board (EDB), the Industry and Commerce Ministry, and potential private sector players to conduct feasibility studies and outline incentive packages.
“We are not just pitching an idea; we are laying the groundwork for a full-fledged sector,” he stressed.
“This proposal is about building something sustainable, export-oriented and reputation-driven. With the right partnerships, we could see ‘Made in Bahrain’ baby care products on store shelves across the region and beyond.
“The initiative is also expected to contribute to women’s employment and youth entrepreneurship, with small-scale businesses and home-grown brands potentially benefiting from industrial clustering and support schemes.
“While the proposal is still in its early stages, we believe it presents a timely and strategic opportunity for Bahrain to expand its manufacturing base in a globally competitive and socially meaningful sector.”
According to the proposal, Bahrain’s competitive advantages include:
* Zero tariffs on exports to the US under the Bahrain-US Free Trade Agreement.
* Lower operational and logistics costs compared to other regional markets.
* Access to international shipping routes, especially through Khalifa Bin Salman Port.
* A skilled and bilingual workforce, essential for meeting global compliance and safety standards.
* A robust regulatory framework through the National Health Regulatory Authority that ensures consumer product safety and could be further specialised for baby product approvals.
Southern Municipal Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif expressed confidence in the proposal’s potential to open up new economic opportunities and create jobs.
“This is a niche market that hasn’t been sufficiently explored in the Gulf region,” he said.
“There’s demand not only in Bahrain, but across the GCC for premium baby care products.
“Instead of importing these goods, why shouldn’t we be producing them here and exporting them?”
Mr Abdullatif added that the Southern Governorate offered suitable locations for light industrial and manufacturing activities, and that the council would be prepared to facilitate land zoning, infrastructure services and licensing support if the proposal moved forward.
“We are eager to work with Parliament and the private sector to ensure that this vision becomes a reality,” he noted.
“There is land, there is a workforce and there is public support. What we need now is capital and commitment from investors.
“We talk a lot about innovation, sustainability and economic diversification. This project touches on all three – and it’s for our children. What could be more important?”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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