54 November 2016 www.bahrainthismonth.com britaininbahrain As the 200th anniversary of Bahraini-British relations draws to a close, British Ambassador HE Simon Martin reflects on the strengthening of a historic friendship. When we spoke back at the beginning of the year, His Excellency was keen to promote the BHUK200 initiative to stage 200 events in 12 months marking the bicentenary of official diplomatic relations between the two countries. Now, with more than 140 completed and plans in process to achieve that final figure, plus two very high-profile British visits lined up – both the Prince of Wales and new Prime Minister Theresa May are due on our shores in the coming weeks – he is understandably proud of what’s been achieved. “I think it’s been a really excellent way in which to celebrate all the different aspects of the bilateral relationship and a very special time,” says the Ambassador. “We’re on target to achieve the 200 but, of course, that’s not just the Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there’s also been an enormous contribution from others, both British and Bahraini, who have taken the initiative to organise things. For example the British School staged a wonderful, colourful event for Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday where all of the students, most of whom are not British, celebrated their link, through the school, with the Queen. It was a fantastic indication of how institutions like the British School, St Christopher’s and the Nadeen School contribute to Bahraini society.” Commercially too the anniversary year has proved successful forging ties which will continue to grow in the future. His Excellency explains: “The results are not always immediately visible but it’s given us the opportunity to highlight both existing business links and new ones. It was very good to have the chance to attend the Bahrain-UK Forum in London, organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies and sponsored by the Economic Development Board, which attracted very high-powered participation from the UK. A lot of the discussion was around possible post-Brexit building of trade links with Bahrain and the wider Gulf. “For example, the construction sector here is very active but we don’t have any major British contractors permanently present. As a result of the seminar, we have a major British organisation looking to establish a permanent base and also an architectural practice which shows that using the opportunity of the anniversary, we’ve been able to interest new business. “Also, Gulf Air has chosen Rolls-Royce to power its new 787 Dreamliners, the first in this area to choose HE Simon Martin Marking an Important Milestone
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