MANAMA – Pakistani companies signed contracts worth over $13 million at the first Pakistan-Bahrain Investment Summit, marking a significant step in bilateral trade and investment.
The day-long event, held on May 17, was organized by the Pakistan Association of Exhibition Industry (PAEI) in collaboration with the Pakistani embassy in Bahrain. It attracted over 125 Pakistani delegates, showcasing investment-ready projects across IT, stock exchange, tourism, human resources, and real estate.
PAEI founder Mohammad Khurshid Barlas described the summit as “remarkable,” noting that many leads generated during the event are in follow-up stages and could further increase the investment figure.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Bahrain Saqib Rauf emphasized that this summit is just the beginning of a series of engagements aimed at deepening trade ties between the two nations.
Business leaders from Bahrain expressed strong interest in Pakistan’s stock exchange and capital markets, with discussions also covering overseas employment, real estate, and tourism.
Pakistan’s trade with Bahrain currently ranges between $500 million and $1 billion, with exports including meat, vegetables, rice, tobacco, and textiles, while imports consist of petroleum products, ferrous waste, scrap, and aluminum.
The summit aligns with Pakistan’s broader strategy to increase foreign trade and investment, particularly with Gulf nations, as part of its economic recovery efforts.
