29 Sep 2024

Nass: Promising opportunities for joint investments in renewable energy, industry, agriculture

Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sameer Nass, underscored the importance of enhancing economic cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Azerbaijan to bolster economic growth and achieve food security in the region.  He noted the significant increase in trade volume between Azerbaijan and the GCC, which rose 2.5 folds last year to reach $175 million.

Speaking at the Azerbaijan-GCC Economic Forum, Nass emphasized the importance of developing infrastructure, such as ports and airports, to facilitate trade exchanges and maximize economic benefits for both parties. He also highlighted the necessity of encouraging joint investments in major projects, particularly in renewable energy, industry, and logistics, to capitalize on available opportunities.

Nass called for practical steps to further increase trade volume by streamlining customs procedures and stimulating bilateral trade. He proposed organizing joint conferences and trade exhibitions to strengthen commercial relationships, enabling better information exchange and promotion of products and services.

Additionally, Nass advocated for signing more economic agreements to support cooperation in various sectors, including trade, investment, and finance. He also pointed out Bahrain's leadership in financial technology, which has established the country as an innovative regional hub. This is supported by a flexible legislative environment and advanced digital infrastructure that have attracted substantial investments in banking and technology.

In the healthcare sector, Nass stressed the importance of developing joint projects, including investments in hospitals and medical centers, alongside exchanging medical expertise. Such collaboration would enhance healthcare services and improve the quality of care available to citizens.

For his part, Chairman of the Food Sector Committee at the Bahrain Chamber, Khalid Al-Amin, emphasized the importance of joint policies between the GCC and Azerbaijan to strengthen food security and supply chains. He stated that enhancing food security benefits both parties and fosters trade development.

He pointed to the crucial role of government collaboration in improving food security, advocating for legislation that facilitates food import and export, as well as infrastructure improvements and streamlined customs procedures. He also called for incentives to establish joint food companies between the GCC and Azerbaijan.

To bolster strategic stockpiles, Al-Amin highlighted the need for cooperation between governments and the private sector to create warehouses capable of meeting food needs for at least six months. He recommended adopting modern technologies, such as smart refrigerated storage and electronic monitoring, to ensure food quality and minimize waste. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of establishing a regional network for exchanging information on inventory levels and storage needs to enhance coordination in managing food surplus and shortages.

AE

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