70 July 2013 France In Bahrain www.bahrainthismonth.com Opportunity Beckons Bahrain and France have had significant success in attaining bilateral trade goals in the course of the last couple of years. In 2012, bilateral trade surpassed €1 billion for the first time. The Kingdom’s development priorities and changing consumer habits, as well as the French expertise in certain areas, have meant that the two sides have ended up forming meaningful business relationships. Around 25 French companies are now registered in Bahrain, five of which forayed into the Kingdom in the last two years. These include big-ticket investments in the aluminium and industrial gas sectors. The joint venture between the French Imerys group and Al Zayani Investments for the construction of a fused aluminium facility is a US$30 million project which will be inaugurated by the end of this year. Another investment involving a leading French industrial group and a Bahraini company will be announced shortly. GDF Suez is a major investor in the power and water sector, with the Al Dur power and water plant being the latest in a series of three units generating 70 per cent of the Kingdom’s total electricity capacity. The Kingdom’s needs are more than covered for the present, but a second phase will have to be initiated within two years to cater for the future rise in demand. “While we are interested in developing trade in all sectors, some seem more promising that others, because of the French expertise in those areas,” Frederic says. “This includes infrastructure covering power, transport and healthcare as well as agriculture, hospitality sector and consumer goods. Environmental solutions including waste management are also on our agenda.” There have been some bottlenecks, which the Bahrain government is trying to ease, one of them being the shortage of land in the Kingdom for industrial projects. Furthermore, the Bahrain-Saudi causeway has become very congested and some French companies have raised concerns that it takes five or six days for their consignments to cross the border, which might affect business. Trade between Bahrain and France has grown exponentially, not taking into account the Airbus deals, and Frederic hopes the trend will continue. However, the most important achievements during his tenure include the lifting of the ban on French meat and livestock imports in Bahrain, a long-standing issue that had stalled imports from France for many years. “The choice of Bahrain for the 2012 regional French economic counsellors meeting was also a result of intensive lobbying on the part of the trade commissioner’s office,” he says. Frederic Mettetal took charge as trade commissioner in September 2011, not an opportune time for business in Bahrain. Two years later, both countries have proved the sceptics wrong. francesupplement Frederic Mettetal So optimistic is Frederic about the future of economic relations that the French Embassy has plans for the creation of a French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bahrain. “The scope of trade between the two sides deserves a stronger management framework,” he says. “Thanks to the active collaboration and assistance of French companies established in Bahrain, the strong relations Bahraini companies enjoy with France and the commitment of the French Bahraini Business Club (CAFB), we’re in the process of finalising the project. It will soon be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Bahrain.” Chamber of Commerce
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk0MTkxMQ==