பஹ்ரைன் வாழ் தமிழ் மக்கள் ஏற்படுத்தியிருக்கும் கலை, கலாச்சார பண்பாட்டு மையம்
http://bharathiassociation.blogspot.com
Thursday, December 11, 2008
பாரதி தமிழ்ச் சங்கம்
பஹ்ரைன் வாழ் தமிழ் மக்கள் ஏற்படுத்தியிருக்கும் கலை, கலாச்சார பண்பாட்டு மையம்
http://bharathiassociation.blogspot.com
Bahrain opens embassy in India By IANS
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
New Delhi: Bahrain opened a new chapter in its relations with India by inaugurating its embassy and sought Indian cooperation in developing the technology sector in the Gulf country.
"This visit marks the opening of Bahrain's embassy in India. It's truly a valuable opportunity to reach out to people and businessmen here," Bahrain's Crown Prince Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad al Khalifa said in his address at the Indian Council for World Relations - India's premier think tank.
"I am surprised why we didn't have a full-fledged embassy in India all these years," Shaikh Salman said after opening Bahrain's embassy in the upscale Vasant Vihar area here that houses many other embassies.
"We can learn a great deal from India when it comes to the transfer of technology. The technology sector is a significant opportunity for cooperation between the two countries," he said.
Tracing ancient ties between India and Bahrain, Shaikh Salman said the two countries have exchanged goods and services for generations. He lauded the 260,000-strong Indian diaspora for its "substantial and much recognized contribution" to the growth and development of Bahrain.
Describing his country as "a pioneer and outward looking nation" with a business-friendly culture, Shaikh Salman sought intensification of trade and investment with India. "Bahrain is ready for rolling out the red carpet and cutting down on red tape," he said.
Enunciating his country's perspective on major regional issues and the Middle East peace process, Shaikh Salman called for "an equitable solution" to the Palestinian issue, which he described as the most "emotive issue" in the region.
"The way forward is through dialogue and discussions," he stressed as he called for the development of a "more integrated, productive and prosperous Middle East".
The crown prince, who began his four-day visit to India Monday, spoke of the "intense change" his country is undergoing and ongoing efforts to implement democratic reforms as he conjured the picture of a vibrant nation confident of playing its due role in the region.
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world," he quoted Mahatma Gandhi to illustrate Bahrain's approach to domestic and regional issues.
India and Bahrain Tuesday signed two pacts in the area of media and cultural cooperation. The crown prince held talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his senior ministers and discussed with them a wide array of bilateral and regional issues.
SPEECH BY DR. ESAM ABDULLA FAKHRO
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF BAHRAIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
AT THE ASIAN TRADERS RECEPTION 25 April 2007
On behalf of the members of the Board of Directors of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the trade and industry community in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and in my name, I feel highly privileged and honoured to welcome our Asian partners. I would like to seize this auspicious occasion to laud and instrumental role being played by Asian traders in furthering and bolstering the economic relations existing between the Kingdom of Bahrain on the one hand and Asian countries in general and the friendly Republic of India in particular.
The Republic of India is considered our principal trade partner. It has been maintaining, all along, an advanced level of relative economic importance in the Kingdom of Bahrain's dealings with the outside world. India ranks fourth in terms of the value of exports and re-exports to the Kingdom of Bahrain, while it ranks eighth among countries from which the Kingdom imports merchandise. The growth and expansion of these relations have many indications and implications, which reflect the commendable joint efforts in which, among others, the Indian traders in the Kingdom of Bahrain have contributed enormously and significantly. These contributions are manifested in the serious, sincere and fruitful co-operation with the private sector in Bahrian which we are certain will be maintained and will gain more momentum and depth to further develop and expand the economic relations with the two friendly countries.
We believe that it is highly important for Indian traders to double their efforts in order to increase and boost the volume of trade exchanges, encourage mutual investments and enhance joint economic action between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of India. In this framework, I call for the need to continue to steer ahead with the implementation of the agreement signed between the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry which was signed on 12 April 1994 to set up a Bahraini-Indian Business Council. This council would certainly play a vitally important role in developing the economic and trade relations between the two countries and explore all possible means to overcome the difficulties which hinder the furtherance of these relationship and sending them to new heights and at the same time find the appropriate solutions to them.
Allow me to seize the opportunity of this fraternal meeting with you to once gain call on our friends the Indian and Asian businessmen and representatives of companies and firms in the private sector to benefit from the congenial climate and business-friendly atmosphere in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This atmosphere is afforded in the form of flexible legislation, forward-looking laws and versatile investment opportunities to set up joint investment projects with the companies and firms in the private sector in Bahrian, particularly conventional and advanced high-technological industries which Indian has become well known for. There are also projects in the fields of education, training, health and human resources development, in which India has high potential and a competitive edge. There are also countless knowledge-based investment opportunities in the areas of software, Information Technology and Telecommunications (ITC) and high-end services, such as computer sourcing and software design and marketing, and such other opportunities which are highly promising as joint investment projects.
Before I conclude, I would like to highly commend the role which the Indian community and work force have been playing in the Kingdom of Bahrian in all economic and social fields, whether in developing the Kingdom's infrastructural and constructional base, or in education, training and the enhancement and upgrading the technical and practical skills of citizens. We assure you that the Indian community and workforce is receiving utmost attention and care by our leadership.
Thank you for your good listening, and I wish the two friendly peoples of India and Bahrian more prosperity and success.
Wassalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatuh,
SPEECH BY MR. OTHMAN SHARIFF,
CHAIRMAN OF THE BAHRAIN ASIAN TRADERS COMMITTEE
AT THE RECEPTION ON 25 APRIL 2007
Dear your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
On behalf of the Bahrain Asian Traders Committee of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry, I feel greatly privileged and honoured, to cordially welcome you all to this reception and to appreciate the significant role played by our Asian Counterparts in augmenting the bilateral trade and economic relations of the Kingdom of Bahrain with the various countries in the Asian Continent. The Asian traders have, indeed, become part and parcel of the Bahraini community since ages.
The Bahrain Asian Traders Committee (BATC) was established in 1994 with the objective of developing trade and encouraging investments between the Asian countries and the Kingdom of Bahrain. It represents the cross section of Asian Traders from the various trade sectors mainly Jewellery, Electronics, Hotels, Garments and other industries. Indeed the Committee reflects the time honoured relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Asian Continent which is not limited to trade and economic sectors only but extends to cultural, educational and tourism arenas also.Considering the immense potential for further bolstering the existing bonds between Bahrain and Asia, the Committee has drawn out its comprehensive action plan which focuses on alleviating the obstacles faced by Asian traders and attracting Asian investments for small and medium sized projects. Its regular meetings unveil the major problems of the Asian traders such as the issue of Residence Permit to the children of Asian traders and investors which are thereafter brought to the attention of the senior officials of the Kingdom. The committee also enhances the participation of Asian traders in the various trade events organized by Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Economic Development Board.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the committee members, BATC has played a commendable role in boosting Asian investments in the trading, real estate and manufacturing sectors in the Kingdom of Bahrain through its participation in various trade promotion events in the Asian Continent.
Established within the frame work of BCCI, BATC is an important portal for the Kingdom's Asian traders to voice their concerns and pursue them as far as possible with the relevant authorities. With privatization gaining momentum and as BCCI is poised to become an active partner with the Government in the economic development process, BATC has an integral role to play further in consolidating the Kingdom's trade and economic relations with Asian Continent and contributing to the economic development of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Therefore, the Membership of BATC becomes imperative as it is the platform to share information, to discuss issues of common interest, to address problems and to have a channel for presenting them to the concerned authorities.
In order to enjoy these privileges and to enable the BATC to be a true representation of the vast Asian business community in the Kingdom of Bahrain, on behalf of the Board of BCCI, and as Chairman of BATC, I extend to you a cordial invitation to be part of BATC and enhance the efficiency of BATC by your active participation in its activities.
It is the ideal platform to share your vision and be successful as the adage "Successful visions are shared visions"
Thank you
பஹ்ரைனில் இந்திய சமூகம்
Bahrain with a total population of 1.04 million and an area of about approximately 740 sq. kms, is the smallest of the GCC States. However, the proximity of Bahrain to other GCC countries and its location midway in the Gulf gives it a strategic importance.
Bahrain’s very early exposure to foreigners, introduction to education in the 1920s and co-existence with Christianity (St. Mary’s Church in Bahrain was established in 1938), conditioned the Bahrainis in general, to an open and favourable attitude towards expatriates.
The trade and commercial activity generated by the discovery of oil in 1932, especially the oil boom years of the early 70s, and later faced with declining oil reserves, Bahrain turned to petroleum processing and refining and transformed itself into an international finance centre. The growing economy led to the increased need to accommodate and make room for a large expatriate community.
Historical Background :
Indians are known to have come to Bahrain as early as 3,000 BC when ships plied between Harappan settlements, Oman and Bahrain en-route to Mesopotamia in pursuit of trade. It is said that it was a group of Indians from Saurashtra that built the Anzac Temple in Dilmun (a cuneiform reference to Bahrain at the time). Indian scholar Romila Thapar interprets Dilmun as the ‘sacred land’.
Recent Contacts :
In more recent times, Indian merchants had established themselves in Bahrain towards the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Others moved to Bahrain from Baghdad and Basra regions in today’s Iraq. At the initial stages they traded dates but gradually shifted attention to purchase and exports of the famous Bahraini pearls. These merchant families came from the province of Sindh and Kathiawad region of Gujarat. By around 1925, around 2500 Indian families had settled in Bahrain. Most of them were involved in small time retailing.
The discovery of oil in 1932-45, led to immigrant manpower gravitating towards the oil industry and its off shoot development activities. With the subsequent expansion of the Bahraini economy, Indians started emigrating to Bahrain to start business or take up jobs as managers, salesman, assistants, workers etc.
Demographic Features and the Indian Work-Force :
Of the nearly 517,000 expatriates, nearly 290,000 Indian nationals form the largest expatriate community in Bahrain along with Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans, Pakistanis, Filipino, Indonesians and Arabs of different nationalities. The Indian workforce is by far the largest of the expatriate workforce. Keralites constitute approx. 65% of the Indian community.
The other major groups are from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa and Punjab. Today 65-70% of the Indian expatriate workforce is employed in the construction, contracting & maintenance sectors. There is also a relatively small number of Indian housemaids estimated at around 12000-15000. They come mostly from states such as Kerala, Goa and Andhra Pradesh.
The retail and other business activities include provisions, hardware, jewellery, electronics, etc. Some others have taken up jobs as storekeepers, chemists, carpenters, barbers, etc. In addition to the predominant blue-collar labour force, there is a sizable number of doctors, engineers, chartered accountants, bankers, managers and other professionals who play a vital role in Bahrain’s socio-economic development. Professionals, such as doctors, engineers, accountants, etc. have also found growing opportunities in Bahrain.
Today there is hardly any established Bahraini business organisation that does not have a senior or middle level Indian employee playing an important role in its operations. The top Bahraini business houses such as Al Zayani, Al Moayyad, Fakhro, Kanoo, Koohejis, Ahmed Mansour Al Ali, Abdullah Nass, Mohammed Jalal as well as companies like Bahrain Almunium, BAPCO, GPIC, banks and finance companies etc. have Indians in their senior or middle management cadres.
Labour Relations :
Indian labour enjoys a good reputation in terms of their conduct, loyalty, higher productivity and non-involvement in local affairs. There is a preference amongst Bahrainis to employ Indians over others.
With the largest expatriate community in this country, there are always ongoing labour and consular problems, which are attended to by the Mission. These mainly revolve around a variety of problems with local sponsors, premature cancellation of contracts, illegal stay, change of contractual obligations etc. A generally recurring problem relates to those who abandon their sponsors and work illegally or are staying illegally due to various compulsions and circumstances.
Role of the Embassy :
The Embassy has taken number of ameliorative measures to address these issues. These are enumerated below :
The Embassy has established nodal points for regular interaction with the Ministries of Labour, Justice, Interior, Public Prosecutor, Immigration, Local Police etc. Such interaction has proved to be extremely useful.
The Embassy organizes Open Houses on the last Friday of every month. Such Open Houses provide an opportunity to the members of the Indian community to meet the Ambassador and senior officials of the Embassy on a holiday to take up non-routine consular and labour issues. These issues are then taken up with the nodal points of the Government of Bahrain for appropriate follow- up action.
Errant companies, manpower companies and employers are black-listed and barred from recruiting manpower from India. This measure has been effective and some of the leading companies have started cooperating with the Mission in according due rights to the workers.
The names of companies/employers are removed from black list once corrective action is taken.
Mission has made it mandatory that the recruitment of all housemaids in Bahrain would be through registered manpower agencies. In case of direct recruitment of workers including housemaids, a bank guarantee of US$2,500/- is required to be deposited with State Bank of India, Bahrain. The necessity to avoid being black-listed by the Mission has ensured that the manpower agencies quickly step in to resolve complaints by housemaids.
The Embassy has constituted two Committees – Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF) and Indian Community Services (ICS) - consisting of Indian community members to assist the Embassy in the respective areas. Both these bodies are very active and respond quickly to calls for help from the community. Visits to workers camps, detention centres and jails are periodically arranged for welfare purposes by the Embassy. The Mission receives considerable help from the local Indian community and voluntary organizations
In close coordination with the Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF) :
** A 24-hour help line has been set up in the Mission. The telephone number (17713509) has been widely circulated among the members of the Indian community to enable them to seek assistance round the clock.
** With the concurrence of the Ministry of Interior, Government of Bahrain, Local Help Committees have been set up in 16 regions which would cover the entire Kingdom of Bahrain. Members of this Committee have been issued identity cards and their names have been circulated to local Police Stations. These identity cards gives them the requisite authorization to approach the concerned authorities in case of need.
Indian Cultural and Religious Bodies :
The Indian community has 32 registered and 68 unregistered socio-cultural organisations and clubs. There are seven schools with facility to study under CBSE system. There are a number of Hindu religious centres including a 60-year-old Hindu temple, 5 churches and 6 Gurudwaras. The Indian Club was set up in 1915 and the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam was set up in 1947.
Most of the associations have been brought under the umbrella of the Co-ordination Committee of Indian Associations (CCIA) with a view to centralising efforts on key occasions such as Independence and Republic Day etc. The CCIA has played an active and helpful role recently in emergency situations like Light Style Garment Factory issue, Al Dana boat tragedy, Gudaibiya fire incident etc. It also hosts receptions for visiting VIPs and Indian Naval Ships.
Bahrain’s very early exposure to foreigners, introduction to education in the 1920s and co-existence with Christianity (St. Mary’s Church in Bahrain was established in 1938), conditioned the Bahrainis in general, to an open and favourable attitude towards expatriates.
The trade and commercial activity generated by the discovery of oil in 1932, especially the oil boom years of the early 70s, and later faced with declining oil reserves, Bahrain turned to petroleum processing and refining and transformed itself into an international finance centre. The growing economy led to the increased need to accommodate and make room for a large expatriate community.
Historical Background :
Indians are known to have come to Bahrain as early as 3,000 BC when ships plied between Harappan settlements, Oman and Bahrain en-route to Mesopotamia in pursuit of trade. It is said that it was a group of Indians from Saurashtra that built the Anzac Temple in Dilmun (a cuneiform reference to Bahrain at the time). Indian scholar Romila Thapar interprets Dilmun as the ‘sacred land’.
Recent Contacts :
In more recent times, Indian merchants had established themselves in Bahrain towards the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Others moved to Bahrain from Baghdad and Basra regions in today’s Iraq. At the initial stages they traded dates but gradually shifted attention to purchase and exports of the famous Bahraini pearls. These merchant families came from the province of Sindh and Kathiawad region of Gujarat. By around 1925, around 2500 Indian families had settled in Bahrain. Most of them were involved in small time retailing.
The discovery of oil in 1932-45, led to immigrant manpower gravitating towards the oil industry and its off shoot development activities. With the subsequent expansion of the Bahraini economy, Indians started emigrating to Bahrain to start business or take up jobs as managers, salesman, assistants, workers etc.
Demographic Features and the Indian Work-Force :
Of the nearly 517,000 expatriates, nearly 290,000 Indian nationals form the largest expatriate community in Bahrain along with Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans, Pakistanis, Filipino, Indonesians and Arabs of different nationalities. The Indian workforce is by far the largest of the expatriate workforce. Keralites constitute approx. 65% of the Indian community.
The other major groups are from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa and Punjab. Today 65-70% of the Indian expatriate workforce is employed in the construction, contracting & maintenance sectors. There is also a relatively small number of Indian housemaids estimated at around 12000-15000. They come mostly from states such as Kerala, Goa and Andhra Pradesh.
The retail and other business activities include provisions, hardware, jewellery, electronics, etc. Some others have taken up jobs as storekeepers, chemists, carpenters, barbers, etc. In addition to the predominant blue-collar labour force, there is a sizable number of doctors, engineers, chartered accountants, bankers, managers and other professionals who play a vital role in Bahrain’s socio-economic development. Professionals, such as doctors, engineers, accountants, etc. have also found growing opportunities in Bahrain.
Today there is hardly any established Bahraini business organisation that does not have a senior or middle level Indian employee playing an important role in its operations. The top Bahraini business houses such as Al Zayani, Al Moayyad, Fakhro, Kanoo, Koohejis, Ahmed Mansour Al Ali, Abdullah Nass, Mohammed Jalal as well as companies like Bahrain Almunium, BAPCO, GPIC, banks and finance companies etc. have Indians in their senior or middle management cadres.
Labour Relations :
Indian labour enjoys a good reputation in terms of their conduct, loyalty, higher productivity and non-involvement in local affairs. There is a preference amongst Bahrainis to employ Indians over others.
With the largest expatriate community in this country, there are always ongoing labour and consular problems, which are attended to by the Mission. These mainly revolve around a variety of problems with local sponsors, premature cancellation of contracts, illegal stay, change of contractual obligations etc. A generally recurring problem relates to those who abandon their sponsors and work illegally or are staying illegally due to various compulsions and circumstances.
Role of the Embassy :
The Embassy has taken number of ameliorative measures to address these issues. These are enumerated below :
The Embassy has established nodal points for regular interaction with the Ministries of Labour, Justice, Interior, Public Prosecutor, Immigration, Local Police etc. Such interaction has proved to be extremely useful.
The Embassy organizes Open Houses on the last Friday of every month. Such Open Houses provide an opportunity to the members of the Indian community to meet the Ambassador and senior officials of the Embassy on a holiday to take up non-routine consular and labour issues. These issues are then taken up with the nodal points of the Government of Bahrain for appropriate follow- up action.
Errant companies, manpower companies and employers are black-listed and barred from recruiting manpower from India. This measure has been effective and some of the leading companies have started cooperating with the Mission in according due rights to the workers.
The names of companies/employers are removed from black list once corrective action is taken.
Mission has made it mandatory that the recruitment of all housemaids in Bahrain would be through registered manpower agencies. In case of direct recruitment of workers including housemaids, a bank guarantee of US$2,500/- is required to be deposited with State Bank of India, Bahrain. The necessity to avoid being black-listed by the Mission has ensured that the manpower agencies quickly step in to resolve complaints by housemaids.
The Embassy has constituted two Committees – Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF) and Indian Community Services (ICS) - consisting of Indian community members to assist the Embassy in the respective areas. Both these bodies are very active and respond quickly to calls for help from the community. Visits to workers camps, detention centres and jails are periodically arranged for welfare purposes by the Embassy. The Mission receives considerable help from the local Indian community and voluntary organizations
In close coordination with the Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF) :
** A 24-hour help line has been set up in the Mission. The telephone number (17713509) has been widely circulated among the members of the Indian community to enable them to seek assistance round the clock.
** With the concurrence of the Ministry of Interior, Government of Bahrain, Local Help Committees have been set up in 16 regions which would cover the entire Kingdom of Bahrain. Members of this Committee have been issued identity cards and their names have been circulated to local Police Stations. These identity cards gives them the requisite authorization to approach the concerned authorities in case of need.
Indian Cultural and Religious Bodies :
The Indian community has 32 registered and 68 unregistered socio-cultural organisations and clubs. There are seven schools with facility to study under CBSE system. There are a number of Hindu religious centres including a 60-year-old Hindu temple, 5 churches and 6 Gurudwaras. The Indian Club was set up in 1915 and the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam was set up in 1947.
Most of the associations have been brought under the umbrella of the Co-ordination Committee of Indian Associations (CCIA) with a view to centralising efforts on key occasions such as Independence and Republic Day etc. The CCIA has played an active and helpful role recently in emergency situations like Light Style Garment Factory issue, Al Dana boat tragedy, Gudaibiya fire incident etc. It also hosts receptions for visiting VIPs and Indian Naval Ships.
இந்தியா - பஹ்ரைன் நல்லுறவு
Bahrain - an archipelago of 33 low-lying islands midway down the Gulf, about 18 kms from the east coast of Saudi Arabia - became independent in 1971. Archaeological evidence indicates that contacts existed between the Dilmun and Indus Valley civilizations 5000 years ago. In recent times, when Bahrain was under British dominance, the British residents in Bahrain worked under the control of the British Governor based in Mumbai. Indian currency and postage stamps were in use in Bahrain till the beginning of 60s. The Bahrainis are quite familiar with India and its culture. Nearly 290,000 Indian nationals form the largest expatriate community in Bahrain.
Besides blue collar workers, there is a sizeable number of doctors, engineers, chartered accountants, bankers, managers and other professionals who play a vital role in the country's socio-economic development. Between 65-70 per cent of the community is from Kerala. Sizeable communities from other states include Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa and Punjab.
India and Bahrain have always maintained friendly and cordial relations. The two countries understand and appreciate each other’s view points on regional and international issues. They hold similar views on several issues of importance, viz., both support the demand of the Palestinian people for their right to freedom and to have their independent sovereign State, both agree that the United Nations and particularly the Security Council should be reformed in order to make it more representative; both belong to the non-aligned group of nations, etc.
There has never been any political problem or dispute between India and Bahrain.
The two countries have signed the following agreements :
- Air Services Agreement : Signed in New Delhi by the Bahraini Minister of Transportation and the Indian Civil Aviation Minister Shri Sharad Yadav on April 5, 2000. Air India Express and Indian Airlines have regular service to Bahrain from Indian destinations. From January 5, 2008, Jet Airways has also commenced operations to Bahrain.
- Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) since replaced by Executive Programme for Cultural Cooperation for 2007 – 2010 signed on March 20, 2007. During the State Visit of Bahrain's Prime Minister H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to India in January 2004, the following agreements/treaties were signed:
- Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Ministries of Foreign Affairs;- Agreement on Juridical and Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Commercial Matters;
- Extradition Treaty;- Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters;- Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Bilateral Investment
<>VVIP/VIP Visits :
• The Amir of Bahrain, Shaikh Isa Bin Salman AI-Khalifa, visited India in April, 1981 and in March, 1983 to attend the 7th NAM Summit.
• President of India, Giani Zail Singh, visited Bahrain in December, 1983.• The Bahraini Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Mr. Abdul Nabi AI Sho'ala, visited India in March 1997.
• Shri Saleem Iqbal Shervani, Minister of State for External Affairs, visited Bahrain in August 1997.
• A Parliamentary delegation, led by Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, ex-Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, visited Bahrain from 17-19th October, 1997.
• Shri Krishan Kant, Vice-President of India visited Bahrain on 9th March, 1999, to pay condolences on the death of late Amir Sheikh Isa bin Salman AI Khalifa.
• The Bahraini Minister of Transportation, Sheikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa visited New Delhi April 4-5, 2000, to sign the bilateral Air Services Agreement.
• The Civil Aviation Minister, Shri Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, led a high-powered 28-member delegation to Bahrain, May 22-23, 2002, to disseminate information on tourism opportunities in India. Three State Ministers i.e. Shri Chhagan Bhujbal, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Prof. K.V. Thomas, Tourism Minister of Kerala and Shri Roshan Baig, Karnataka Tourism Minister along with senior tourism officials, Civil Aviation officials and tour operators were also part of the delegation. Shri Shahnawaz Hussain met with the Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad AI Khalifa.
• Foreign Office Consultations: Shri R. M. Abhyankar, Secretary (ANA) visited Bahrain from November 29 to December 1, 2002 and held talks with the Prime. Minister, Sheikh Khalifa, DPM and Foreign Minister, Oil Minister, Interior Minister and Under Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Bahrain Prime Minister, H. H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa was on a State Visit to India from January 11-14, 2004. After the official part, the Bahraini PM visited Jaipur, Jodhpur and Goa, on a private visit and returned to Bahrain on 19th January, 2004.
• Mr. Ali Saleh Al Saleh, Minister of Commerce, led Bahrain’s delegation to the GCC-India Industrial Conference held from 17-18 February 2004 in Mumbai.
• Shri E. Ahmed, Minister of State, MEA, visited Bahrain from August 19-21, 2004 to attend the World Malayalee Conference. This meeting was also attended by Shri K. M. Mani, Minister of Revenue & Housing, Shri M. M. Hassan, Minister of NORKA, and Shri V. S. Achutanandan, Leader of Opposition, Government of Kerala.
• Bahraini Under Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yousif Mohammed Mahmood visited India for Foreign Office Consultations on November 17-19,2004.
• Two ships of the Indian Navy, INS Delhi and INS Kulish, visited Bahrain from 22-26 September 2004. The captains of the two ships held bilateral discussions with officials of Bahrain Navy as also with the Commander of the US 5th Fleet stationed in Bahrain
• Ambassador C.R. Gharekhan, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister for West Asia led the Indian delegation to the IISS Regional Security Summit Meeting in Bahrain in December 2005.• Two ships of the Indian navy, INS Krishna and INS Tir, visited Bahrain from April 10-13, 2006.• Shri E. Ahamed, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs visited Bahrain from April 22-23, 2006
• Shri Vayalar Ravi, Hon’ble Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs visited Bahrain for one day on May 3, 2006• A delegation led by Dr. Zakaria Hejres, Deputy Chief Executive of the Economic Development Board visited India in July 2006.
• A 14 member high level Parliamentary delegation led by the Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, Shri Somnath Chatterjee transited through Bahrain on 24/28-29 September, 2006 as part of Parliamentary Exchange Programme in Athens.
• Hon’ble MoS(EA), Shri E. Ahamed transited through Bahrain on 16th October, 2006.• The National Security Adviser of India Shri M.K. Narayanan led a three member delegation to the IISS Regional Security Summit held in Bahrain on December 8-9, 2006.
• The Hon’ble Union MoS for Labour & Employment (IC), Shri Oscar Fernandes paid a visit to Bahrain on 1-3 February, 2007.
* H.H. the Crown Prince of Bahrain Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa paid an official visit to India on 19 - 22 March, 2007 on the invitation of the Hon'ble Vice President of India, Shri B.S. Shekhawat.
* Transit visit of Hon'ble Speaker of Lok Sabha Mr. Somnath Chatterjee to Bahrain on 19 April, 2007
* Flag –showing visit of three Indian ships of Western Fleet of Indian Navy viz. INS Delhi, INS Beas, and INS Jyoti to Bahrain on 21 - 25 August, 2007
* Visit of Hon'ble Minister of State for External Affairs Mr. E. Ahamed to Bahrain on 8- 9 September, 2007
* Visit of Hon'ble Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Mr. Vayalar Ravi to Bahrain on 18 - 20 October, 2007* Transit visit of Hon'ble Chief Justice of India Mr. K.G. Balakrishnan to Bahrain on 22 October, 2007
* Visit of Hon'ble Minister of State for External Affairs Mr. E. Ahamed to Bahrain on 13 – 15 November, 2007 heading the Indian delegation to JCETC
* Visit of Chairman, Council of Representatives of Kingdom of Bahrain H.E. Khalifa Al Dhahrani leading a Parliamentary delegation to India on 28 Nov. – 2 December, 2007
* Visit of National Security Adviser Mr. M.K. Narayanan to Bahrain heading the Indian delegation to IISS Regional Security Summit – Manama Dialogue on 7 – 9 December, 2007
* Visit of Commissioner , NRI Affairs and former MoS for External Affairs Mr. Eduardo Faleiro to Bahrain on 10 – 12 December 2007
* Transit visit of Foreign Secretary Mr. Shivshankar Menon on 15 December, 2007
*Visit of Bahraini Labour Minister Dr. Majeed bin Mohsen Al Alawi accompanied by a nine member delegation, to India on April 25-27, ’08.
Trade and Economic Relations :
India and Bahrain signed an economic and technical cooperation agreement in April 1981 during the visit of H.H the Amir to New Delhi. Instruments of Ratification were exchanged in 1983. The first meeting of the Indo-Bahrain Joint Economic and Technical Committee (JETC) was held in New Delhi in 1986 and the second in Bahrain in 1991. The third session was held in New Delhi on 11-12 November 1998. The Fourth Meeting of the India - Bahrain Joint Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation (JCETC) was held in Bahrain on 14-15 November, 2007. This was held in pursuance of the decisions taken during the visit of His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain to India to enhance economic cooperation between India and Bahrain.
Unlike the previous three such meetings, the talks were held at the Ministerial level and included business delegations on both sides. The Indian delegation was led by Shri E. Ahamed, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs. The delegation included Joint Secretary (Gulf & Haj), Ministry of External affairs, representatives from the Ministries of Commerce, Overseas Indian Affairs, Petroleum and Natural Gas as well as Public Sector Undertakings like National Small Industries Corporation and Education Consultants India Ltd.
The business delegation included representatives from IT, engineering, manufacturing, banking and financial sectors and met their counterparts at the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The two sides looked at the possibility of cooperation in areas of petroleum, aluminium, chemicals, shipping, finance and hospitality. The issues of cooperation in financial sector including Avoidance of Double Taxation, health, IT, civil aviation, manpower, education, information and culture and youth and sports were also discussed. It was agreed to carry forward the process of Mumbai Declaration adopted at the Third Indo-GCC Industrial Forum held in Mumbai in May 2007 for economic engagement in areas like energy, petro-chemicals, construction etc.
Both the sides wanted closer cooperation in the areas concerning, inter alia, World Trade Organisation related matters and technical cooperation in areas of standardization and intellectual property rights. In regard to the private sector, the Confederation of Indian Industry proposed undertaking “India Week”, an engineering sector fair in Bahrain and the Bahraini side considering holding a “Bahraini Week” in India.
Joint Business Council : A Joint Business Council (JBC) was set up on 12th October, 1994. The first meeting was held in Bahrain in 1996. At the invitation of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI)) & ASSOCHAM, a 21-member high-level trade delegation organized by the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) visited India, 17-24 February, 2001 to attend the 2nd meeting of the Joint Business Council.
The visit of the delegation coincided with their visit to a major Engineering Exhibition organized by the CII- IETF 2001. FICC made a number of presentations to the Bahraini delegations on sectors relating to information technology, food industry, telecommunications and small & medium industries. The delegation also had a number of one-to-one meetings with prospective Indian entrepreneurs both for exports as well as for setting up joint ventures in Bahrain.
It is India's turn to send a business delegation to Bahrain.H.E. Mr. Ali Saleh Al Saleh, Minister of Commerce, led Bahrain’s delegation to the GCC India Industrial Conference held from 17-18 February 2004 in Mumbai. As a result of this dialogue, GCC and India signed a framework agreement on economic cooperation on 25 August 2004.
A delegation led by H.E. Mr. Khaled Al Moyyayed, Chairman, Bahraini Businessmen Association visited India from April 23 to May 1, 2006. A delegation led by Dr. Zakaria Hejres, Deputy Chief Executive of the Economic Development Board visited India in July 2006. The visit, in coordination with EXIM Bank of India, focussed on the business and investment opportunities in Bahrain. The delegation, included representatives in the aluminium, telecommunication, auto components and education sectors, hosted several important seminars in Chennai and Pune.
Visit of H.H. the Crown Prince of Bahrain to India :
A high power trade delegation accompanied H.H. the Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on his official visit to India on March 19 – 22, 2007. The delegation, amongst other dignitaries, included H.E. Dr. Hassan Abdulla Fakhro, Minister of Commerce & Industry, H.E. Dr. Esam Abdulla Fakhro, Chairman of BCCI, H.E. Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa , CEO of Economic Development Board besides 18 prominent Bahraini business and industry leaders. ASSOCHAM in association with CII and FICCI hosted a business meet at Hotel Maurya Sheraton on 20th March.
The Crown Prince delivered keynote address stressing the historic and time-tested relationship between India and Bahrain and the need to build on relationship between the private sectors. The Bahraini side also made a presentation highlighting business and investment opportunities available in Bahrain. The meeting was addressed by the Hon’ble Minister of Commerce Shri Kamal Nath and H.E. Dr. Hassan Fakhro. H.E. Dr. Fakhro acknowledged India’s contribution to Bahrain’s development and said that emphasis on the role of private sectors in both the countries would be strengthened through their respective chambers of commerce.
A MoU was signed by BCCI with ASSOCHAM agreeing to promote trade, investment and economic relations. H.H. the Crown Prince inaugurated the Bahraini Embassy in New Delhi on March 21, 2007. H.H. the Crown Prince on his visit to Mumbai met the industry captains and had separate meetings with Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Group and Azim Premji, CEO & MD of WIPRO. A five member delegation from the National Thermal Power Corporation of India led by Shri Harish Chandra, Special Adviser, Ministry of Power visited Bahrain from 11-12 April,'07. The delegation made a presentation before prominent Bahraini and NRI businessmen on the investment opportunities in power sector in India.
The Minister for Industries, Government of State of Kerala, Shri Elamaran Kareem, leading a four- member delegation visited Bahrain on 4th May, 2007 to attract investment specifically from non-resident Keralites in infrastructure sector through Infrastructure Kerala Ltd. (INKEL), a Public Limited Company.
Third India – GCC Industrial Forum : Mr. Osama Mohamed Al Arrayedh, Asstt Under Secy for Industrial Development, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Abdulla Al Sho’ala, former Minister and Chairman of Al Fanar Investment Holding Co., Mr. Mohamed Dadabhai, former Member of Shura Council and Chairman, Dadabhai Group, Mr. Mohamed Al Tawash, President, Real Capita, Mr. Vinay Dewan, Chairman, BRAMCO, and Mr. Ali Hassan, Chairman, Al Noor Group represented Bahrain at the 3rd India – GCC Industrial Forum held in Mumbai on May 29 – 30, 2007.The Minister of Tourism and Home, Government of State of Kerala Mr. M. Balakrishnan visited Bahrain on 15 November, 2007 and held discussions with Deptt of Tourism of Bahrain to explore possibilities of cooperation in Tourism and hospitality sector between the two sides.
The Embassy participated in The Riffa Views Bahrain International Garden Show (RVBIGS), organized by the Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority (BECA), in Bahrain on 21-24 February 2008 with the cooperation of NRIs & APEDA.
Twelve delegates from Bahrain including six members of Bahrain India Society led by its first Chairman participated in the Indo-Arab Investment Conclave hosted by FICCI in New Delhi on 18 – 19 April,’08.
An eight member delegation representing Indian Electrical & Electronics Manufacturers Association (IEEMA) visited Bahrain on May 13 – 15 and with the cooperation of the Embassy, arranged a presentation by the Delegation at the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) besides meetings with leading Bahraini industrialists and businessmen.
ESC-EDB Information Technology Agreement : In May, 2001, a 15-member delegation led by the Electronics and Computer software Export Promotion Council (ESC) from India visited Bahrain and signed an MoU with the Bahrain's Economic Development Board (EDB) - the nodal agency for development of IT sector in the country. The MoU envisages a wide gamut of activities, which include business development, organizing training programmes, seminars and workshops. EDB during its visit to India in January 2002, signed two MoUs with National Small Industries Corporation of India and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industries for development of SMEs and IT & Telecom sectors. EDB also opened its branch office in Bangalore during this visit which has now been shifted to Mumbai.
Catalogue Exhibition - INDIA CATEX : This Mission had organised a catalogue exhibition of Indian products and services in 2000, showcasing brochures and catalogues from more than 300 Indian companies. This was well received and generated a number of trade queries. Gauging the popularity and demand for such an event, CATEX has been made an annual event and similar expositions were organised in October 2001, November 2002, March 2004 and April 2006.
SME Seminar: This Mission had offered India's services and expertise to establish small and medium enterprises in their proposed industrial area. Accordingly, the Embassy had organized a two-day seminar and brought in two experts from the National Small Industries Corporation. Investment Seminar : The Embassy, in cooperation with the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, organized a Seminar on 10th July 2004. The focus was on SMEs, infrastructure, information and communication technology, real estate and investment opportunities in India and Bahrain. Two speakers from the State Bank of India and the ICICI Bank made presentations.
Ambassador, Mr. Balkrishna Shetty, made a presentation on economic growth in India on 28th December 2005 at Hotel Ritz Carlton, Bahrain. At a forum organized by Bahrain Businessmen‘s Association, he made another presentation on "Indian economic policy framework and opportunities” . Mr. A.C. Patankar, Principal Adviser, Confederation of Indian Industry, Mumbai and Mr. Ajay Sharma, Country Head, ICICI Bank, Bahrain also made presentations on this occasion. Detailed information on business and investment opportunities in India was made available to the leading Bahraini businessmen. Ambassador made his third presentation on 4th February, 2006 at the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Bahrain’s main imports from India include machinery, electrical and electronic equipment, textiles and it’s products; beverages and food products (including rice, fresh fruits & vegetables); base metals and articles; chemicals and chemical products; plastic, rubber and products; articles of stone, ceramic products, cement and mineral products. Bahrain’s non-oil exports to India include aluminium products ; base metals ; chemicals and chemical products; mineral products; hides & skins etc.
There is a large NRI business community in Bahrain which is engaged primarily in trading activity. They have invested in their business establishments and are regularly stock Indian products. These include agencies for Titan watches, Onida televisions, Videocon, BPL, Godrej, Raymonds, VIP etc.
Currency:
Bahraini Dinar (BD) - convertibleBD 1.00 = US$2.65 = Rs. 108/- approximately.
Indian Bankers: Bahrain is a hub of financial and banking institutions in the region. In Bahrain, Indian banking sector at present is represented by State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, ICICI and UTI.
Other Indian public sector undertakings operating in Bahrain are :
1. Air India
2. Indian Airlines
3. LIC International
4. New India Assurance Company
5. Petroleum Indian International
Cultural Relations :
A Cultural Agreement between India and Bahrain was concluded in January 1975. This was followed by a two-year Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) for the years 1981-82, signed in April 1981, during the first state visit of the Amir of Bahrain to India. During the visit of Crown Prince to India in March 2007, an Executive Programme for Cultural Cooperation for 2007 - 2010 and an Agreement between Prasar Bharati and Bahrain Radio & TV Corporation, was signed between India and Bahrain.
The Embassy organized with the cooperation of NRIs cultural programmes including Aarthi Shankar’s Bharatanatyam, dance -drama performance by Mamta Shankar & troupe, qawwali rendition by Ustad Mohammed Ahmed Khan Warsi and Ghazal concert by Dr. Radhika Chopra & troupe. The Embassy organized a Seminar on 2nd October, ’07 to observe International Day of Non-violence. The Embassy also organized a Seminar on ‘The Relevance of Gandhian Ideals in the 21st Century’ on 30th January, 2008 to
Informations provided by the Indian Embassy - Bahrain
Besides blue collar workers, there is a sizeable number of doctors, engineers, chartered accountants, bankers, managers and other professionals who play a vital role in the country's socio-economic development. Between 65-70 per cent of the community is from Kerala. Sizeable communities from other states include Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa and Punjab.
India and Bahrain have always maintained friendly and cordial relations. The two countries understand and appreciate each other’s view points on regional and international issues. They hold similar views on several issues of importance, viz., both support the demand of the Palestinian people for their right to freedom and to have their independent sovereign State, both agree that the United Nations and particularly the Security Council should be reformed in order to make it more representative; both belong to the non-aligned group of nations, etc.
There has never been any political problem or dispute between India and Bahrain.
The two countries have signed the following agreements :
- Air Services Agreement : Signed in New Delhi by the Bahraini Minister of Transportation and the Indian Civil Aviation Minister Shri Sharad Yadav on April 5, 2000. Air India Express and Indian Airlines have regular service to Bahrain from Indian destinations. From January 5, 2008, Jet Airways has also commenced operations to Bahrain.
- Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) since replaced by Executive Programme for Cultural Cooperation for 2007 – 2010 signed on March 20, 2007. During the State Visit of Bahrain's Prime Minister H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to India in January 2004, the following agreements/treaties were signed:
- Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Ministries of Foreign Affairs;- Agreement on Juridical and Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Commercial Matters;
- Extradition Treaty;- Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters;- Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Bilateral Investment
<>VVIP/VIP Visits :
• The Amir of Bahrain, Shaikh Isa Bin Salman AI-Khalifa, visited India in April, 1981 and in March, 1983 to attend the 7th NAM Summit.
• President of India, Giani Zail Singh, visited Bahrain in December, 1983.• The Bahraini Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Mr. Abdul Nabi AI Sho'ala, visited India in March 1997.
• Shri Saleem Iqbal Shervani, Minister of State for External Affairs, visited Bahrain in August 1997.
• A Parliamentary delegation, led by Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, ex-Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, visited Bahrain from 17-19th October, 1997.
• Shri Krishan Kant, Vice-President of India visited Bahrain on 9th March, 1999, to pay condolences on the death of late Amir Sheikh Isa bin Salman AI Khalifa.
• The Bahraini Minister of Transportation, Sheikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa visited New Delhi April 4-5, 2000, to sign the bilateral Air Services Agreement.
• The Civil Aviation Minister, Shri Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, led a high-powered 28-member delegation to Bahrain, May 22-23, 2002, to disseminate information on tourism opportunities in India. Three State Ministers i.e. Shri Chhagan Bhujbal, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Prof. K.V. Thomas, Tourism Minister of Kerala and Shri Roshan Baig, Karnataka Tourism Minister along with senior tourism officials, Civil Aviation officials and tour operators were also part of the delegation. Shri Shahnawaz Hussain met with the Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad AI Khalifa.
• Foreign Office Consultations: Shri R. M. Abhyankar, Secretary (ANA) visited Bahrain from November 29 to December 1, 2002 and held talks with the Prime. Minister, Sheikh Khalifa, DPM and Foreign Minister, Oil Minister, Interior Minister and Under Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Bahrain Prime Minister, H. H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa was on a State Visit to India from January 11-14, 2004. After the official part, the Bahraini PM visited Jaipur, Jodhpur and Goa, on a private visit and returned to Bahrain on 19th January, 2004.
• Mr. Ali Saleh Al Saleh, Minister of Commerce, led Bahrain’s delegation to the GCC-India Industrial Conference held from 17-18 February 2004 in Mumbai.
• Shri E. Ahmed, Minister of State, MEA, visited Bahrain from August 19-21, 2004 to attend the World Malayalee Conference. This meeting was also attended by Shri K. M. Mani, Minister of Revenue & Housing, Shri M. M. Hassan, Minister of NORKA, and Shri V. S. Achutanandan, Leader of Opposition, Government of Kerala.
• Bahraini Under Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yousif Mohammed Mahmood visited India for Foreign Office Consultations on November 17-19,2004.
• Two ships of the Indian Navy, INS Delhi and INS Kulish, visited Bahrain from 22-26 September 2004. The captains of the two ships held bilateral discussions with officials of Bahrain Navy as also with the Commander of the US 5th Fleet stationed in Bahrain
• Ambassador C.R. Gharekhan, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister for West Asia led the Indian delegation to the IISS Regional Security Summit Meeting in Bahrain in December 2005.• Two ships of the Indian navy, INS Krishna and INS Tir, visited Bahrain from April 10-13, 2006.• Shri E. Ahamed, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs visited Bahrain from April 22-23, 2006
• Shri Vayalar Ravi, Hon’ble Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs visited Bahrain for one day on May 3, 2006• A delegation led by Dr. Zakaria Hejres, Deputy Chief Executive of the Economic Development Board visited India in July 2006.
• A 14 member high level Parliamentary delegation led by the Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, Shri Somnath Chatterjee transited through Bahrain on 24/28-29 September, 2006 as part of Parliamentary Exchange Programme in Athens.
• Hon’ble MoS(EA), Shri E. Ahamed transited through Bahrain on 16th October, 2006.• The National Security Adviser of India Shri M.K. Narayanan led a three member delegation to the IISS Regional Security Summit held in Bahrain on December 8-9, 2006.
• The Hon’ble Union MoS for Labour & Employment (IC), Shri Oscar Fernandes paid a visit to Bahrain on 1-3 February, 2007.
* H.H. the Crown Prince of Bahrain Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa paid an official visit to India on 19 - 22 March, 2007 on the invitation of the Hon'ble Vice President of India, Shri B.S. Shekhawat.
* Transit visit of Hon'ble Speaker of Lok Sabha Mr. Somnath Chatterjee to Bahrain on 19 April, 2007
* Flag –showing visit of three Indian ships of Western Fleet of Indian Navy viz. INS Delhi, INS Beas, and INS Jyoti to Bahrain on 21 - 25 August, 2007
* Visit of Hon'ble Minister of State for External Affairs Mr. E. Ahamed to Bahrain on 8- 9 September, 2007
* Visit of Hon'ble Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Mr. Vayalar Ravi to Bahrain on 18 - 20 October, 2007* Transit visit of Hon'ble Chief Justice of India Mr. K.G. Balakrishnan to Bahrain on 22 October, 2007
* Visit of Hon'ble Minister of State for External Affairs Mr. E. Ahamed to Bahrain on 13 – 15 November, 2007 heading the Indian delegation to JCETC
* Visit of Chairman, Council of Representatives of Kingdom of Bahrain H.E. Khalifa Al Dhahrani leading a Parliamentary delegation to India on 28 Nov. – 2 December, 2007
* Visit of National Security Adviser Mr. M.K. Narayanan to Bahrain heading the Indian delegation to IISS Regional Security Summit – Manama Dialogue on 7 – 9 December, 2007
* Visit of Commissioner , NRI Affairs and former MoS for External Affairs Mr. Eduardo Faleiro to Bahrain on 10 – 12 December 2007
* Transit visit of Foreign Secretary Mr. Shivshankar Menon on 15 December, 2007
*Visit of Bahraini Labour Minister Dr. Majeed bin Mohsen Al Alawi accompanied by a nine member delegation, to India on April 25-27, ’08.
Trade and Economic Relations :
India and Bahrain signed an economic and technical cooperation agreement in April 1981 during the visit of H.H the Amir to New Delhi. Instruments of Ratification were exchanged in 1983. The first meeting of the Indo-Bahrain Joint Economic and Technical Committee (JETC) was held in New Delhi in 1986 and the second in Bahrain in 1991. The third session was held in New Delhi on 11-12 November 1998. The Fourth Meeting of the India - Bahrain Joint Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation (JCETC) was held in Bahrain on 14-15 November, 2007. This was held in pursuance of the decisions taken during the visit of His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain to India to enhance economic cooperation between India and Bahrain.
Unlike the previous three such meetings, the talks were held at the Ministerial level and included business delegations on both sides. The Indian delegation was led by Shri E. Ahamed, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs. The delegation included Joint Secretary (Gulf & Haj), Ministry of External affairs, representatives from the Ministries of Commerce, Overseas Indian Affairs, Petroleum and Natural Gas as well as Public Sector Undertakings like National Small Industries Corporation and Education Consultants India Ltd.
The business delegation included representatives from IT, engineering, manufacturing, banking and financial sectors and met their counterparts at the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The two sides looked at the possibility of cooperation in areas of petroleum, aluminium, chemicals, shipping, finance and hospitality. The issues of cooperation in financial sector including Avoidance of Double Taxation, health, IT, civil aviation, manpower, education, information and culture and youth and sports were also discussed. It was agreed to carry forward the process of Mumbai Declaration adopted at the Third Indo-GCC Industrial Forum held in Mumbai in May 2007 for economic engagement in areas like energy, petro-chemicals, construction etc.
Both the sides wanted closer cooperation in the areas concerning, inter alia, World Trade Organisation related matters and technical cooperation in areas of standardization and intellectual property rights. In regard to the private sector, the Confederation of Indian Industry proposed undertaking “India Week”, an engineering sector fair in Bahrain and the Bahraini side considering holding a “Bahraini Week” in India.
Joint Business Council : A Joint Business Council (JBC) was set up on 12th October, 1994. The first meeting was held in Bahrain in 1996. At the invitation of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI)) & ASSOCHAM, a 21-member high-level trade delegation organized by the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) visited India, 17-24 February, 2001 to attend the 2nd meeting of the Joint Business Council.
The visit of the delegation coincided with their visit to a major Engineering Exhibition organized by the CII- IETF 2001. FICC made a number of presentations to the Bahraini delegations on sectors relating to information technology, food industry, telecommunications and small & medium industries. The delegation also had a number of one-to-one meetings with prospective Indian entrepreneurs both for exports as well as for setting up joint ventures in Bahrain.
It is India's turn to send a business delegation to Bahrain.H.E. Mr. Ali Saleh Al Saleh, Minister of Commerce, led Bahrain’s delegation to the GCC India Industrial Conference held from 17-18 February 2004 in Mumbai. As a result of this dialogue, GCC and India signed a framework agreement on economic cooperation on 25 August 2004.
A delegation led by H.E. Mr. Khaled Al Moyyayed, Chairman, Bahraini Businessmen Association visited India from April 23 to May 1, 2006. A delegation led by Dr. Zakaria Hejres, Deputy Chief Executive of the Economic Development Board visited India in July 2006. The visit, in coordination with EXIM Bank of India, focussed on the business and investment opportunities in Bahrain. The delegation, included representatives in the aluminium, telecommunication, auto components and education sectors, hosted several important seminars in Chennai and Pune.
Visit of H.H. the Crown Prince of Bahrain to India :
A high power trade delegation accompanied H.H. the Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on his official visit to India on March 19 – 22, 2007. The delegation, amongst other dignitaries, included H.E. Dr. Hassan Abdulla Fakhro, Minister of Commerce & Industry, H.E. Dr. Esam Abdulla Fakhro, Chairman of BCCI, H.E. Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa , CEO of Economic Development Board besides 18 prominent Bahraini business and industry leaders. ASSOCHAM in association with CII and FICCI hosted a business meet at Hotel Maurya Sheraton on 20th March.
The Crown Prince delivered keynote address stressing the historic and time-tested relationship between India and Bahrain and the need to build on relationship between the private sectors. The Bahraini side also made a presentation highlighting business and investment opportunities available in Bahrain. The meeting was addressed by the Hon’ble Minister of Commerce Shri Kamal Nath and H.E. Dr. Hassan Fakhro. H.E. Dr. Fakhro acknowledged India’s contribution to Bahrain’s development and said that emphasis on the role of private sectors in both the countries would be strengthened through their respective chambers of commerce.
A MoU was signed by BCCI with ASSOCHAM agreeing to promote trade, investment and economic relations. H.H. the Crown Prince inaugurated the Bahraini Embassy in New Delhi on March 21, 2007. H.H. the Crown Prince on his visit to Mumbai met the industry captains and had separate meetings with Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Group and Azim Premji, CEO & MD of WIPRO. A five member delegation from the National Thermal Power Corporation of India led by Shri Harish Chandra, Special Adviser, Ministry of Power visited Bahrain from 11-12 April,'07. The delegation made a presentation before prominent Bahraini and NRI businessmen on the investment opportunities in power sector in India.
The Minister for Industries, Government of State of Kerala, Shri Elamaran Kareem, leading a four- member delegation visited Bahrain on 4th May, 2007 to attract investment specifically from non-resident Keralites in infrastructure sector through Infrastructure Kerala Ltd. (INKEL), a Public Limited Company.
Third India – GCC Industrial Forum : Mr. Osama Mohamed Al Arrayedh, Asstt Under Secy for Industrial Development, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Abdulla Al Sho’ala, former Minister and Chairman of Al Fanar Investment Holding Co., Mr. Mohamed Dadabhai, former Member of Shura Council and Chairman, Dadabhai Group, Mr. Mohamed Al Tawash, President, Real Capita, Mr. Vinay Dewan, Chairman, BRAMCO, and Mr. Ali Hassan, Chairman, Al Noor Group represented Bahrain at the 3rd India – GCC Industrial Forum held in Mumbai on May 29 – 30, 2007.The Minister of Tourism and Home, Government of State of Kerala Mr. M. Balakrishnan visited Bahrain on 15 November, 2007 and held discussions with Deptt of Tourism of Bahrain to explore possibilities of cooperation in Tourism and hospitality sector between the two sides.
The Embassy participated in The Riffa Views Bahrain International Garden Show (RVBIGS), organized by the Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority (BECA), in Bahrain on 21-24 February 2008 with the cooperation of NRIs & APEDA.
Twelve delegates from Bahrain including six members of Bahrain India Society led by its first Chairman participated in the Indo-Arab Investment Conclave hosted by FICCI in New Delhi on 18 – 19 April,’08.
An eight member delegation representing Indian Electrical & Electronics Manufacturers Association (IEEMA) visited Bahrain on May 13 – 15 and with the cooperation of the Embassy, arranged a presentation by the Delegation at the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) besides meetings with leading Bahraini industrialists and businessmen.
ESC-EDB Information Technology Agreement : In May, 2001, a 15-member delegation led by the Electronics and Computer software Export Promotion Council (ESC) from India visited Bahrain and signed an MoU with the Bahrain's Economic Development Board (EDB) - the nodal agency for development of IT sector in the country. The MoU envisages a wide gamut of activities, which include business development, organizing training programmes, seminars and workshops. EDB during its visit to India in January 2002, signed two MoUs with National Small Industries Corporation of India and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industries for development of SMEs and IT & Telecom sectors. EDB also opened its branch office in Bangalore during this visit which has now been shifted to Mumbai.
Catalogue Exhibition - INDIA CATEX : This Mission had organised a catalogue exhibition of Indian products and services in 2000, showcasing brochures and catalogues from more than 300 Indian companies. This was well received and generated a number of trade queries. Gauging the popularity and demand for such an event, CATEX has been made an annual event and similar expositions were organised in October 2001, November 2002, March 2004 and April 2006.
SME Seminar: This Mission had offered India's services and expertise to establish small and medium enterprises in their proposed industrial area. Accordingly, the Embassy had organized a two-day seminar and brought in two experts from the National Small Industries Corporation. Investment Seminar : The Embassy, in cooperation with the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, organized a Seminar on 10th July 2004. The focus was on SMEs, infrastructure, information and communication technology, real estate and investment opportunities in India and Bahrain. Two speakers from the State Bank of India and the ICICI Bank made presentations.
Ambassador, Mr. Balkrishna Shetty, made a presentation on economic growth in India on 28th December 2005 at Hotel Ritz Carlton, Bahrain. At a forum organized by Bahrain Businessmen‘s Association, he made another presentation on "Indian economic policy framework and opportunities” . Mr. A.C. Patankar, Principal Adviser, Confederation of Indian Industry, Mumbai and Mr. Ajay Sharma, Country Head, ICICI Bank, Bahrain also made presentations on this occasion. Detailed information on business and investment opportunities in India was made available to the leading Bahraini businessmen. Ambassador made his third presentation on 4th February, 2006 at the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Bahrain’s main imports from India include machinery, electrical and electronic equipment, textiles and it’s products; beverages and food products (including rice, fresh fruits & vegetables); base metals and articles; chemicals and chemical products; plastic, rubber and products; articles of stone, ceramic products, cement and mineral products. Bahrain’s non-oil exports to India include aluminium products ; base metals ; chemicals and chemical products; mineral products; hides & skins etc.
There is a large NRI business community in Bahrain which is engaged primarily in trading activity. They have invested in their business establishments and are regularly stock Indian products. These include agencies for Titan watches, Onida televisions, Videocon, BPL, Godrej, Raymonds, VIP etc.
Currency:
Bahraini Dinar (BD) - convertibleBD 1.00 = US$2.65 = Rs. 108/- approximately.
Indian Bankers: Bahrain is a hub of financial and banking institutions in the region. In Bahrain, Indian banking sector at present is represented by State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, ICICI and UTI.
Other Indian public sector undertakings operating in Bahrain are :
1. Air India
2. Indian Airlines
3. LIC International
4. New India Assurance Company
5. Petroleum Indian International
Cultural Relations :
A Cultural Agreement between India and Bahrain was concluded in January 1975. This was followed by a two-year Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) for the years 1981-82, signed in April 1981, during the first state visit of the Amir of Bahrain to India. During the visit of Crown Prince to India in March 2007, an Executive Programme for Cultural Cooperation for 2007 - 2010 and an Agreement between Prasar Bharati and Bahrain Radio & TV Corporation, was signed between India and Bahrain.
The Embassy organized with the cooperation of NRIs cultural programmes including Aarthi Shankar’s Bharatanatyam, dance -drama performance by Mamta Shankar & troupe, qawwali rendition by Ustad Mohammed Ahmed Khan Warsi and Ghazal concert by Dr. Radhika Chopra & troupe. The Embassy organized a Seminar on 2nd October, ’07 to observe International Day of Non-violence. The Embassy also organized a Seminar on ‘The Relevance of Gandhian Ideals in the 21st Century’ on 30th January, 2008 to
Informations provided by the Indian Embassy - Bahrain
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