NRI, UK Entrepreneurs explore the investment opportunities in Bahrain

• NRI delegation of British business leader visits to major economic projects in the kingdom and said that you can trust this country.

Bahrain, 19 March 2006
Gulg Daily News

Trust 'Bahrain's key selling point'

THE greatest ingredient of Bahrain as an investment centre is its "trust" factor, says a British business leader.

Unlike some other Gulf countries which are running on a speed track, Bahrain has taken steady but sure steps forward, said London-based Noon Group chairman Sir Gulam Noon.

"This has resulted in a sustainable growth and a health economy," he told a forum of Asian British businessmen at the InterContinental.

Sir Gulam thanked Commerce and Industry Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro for hosting the visit of a high-level delegation of British businessmen of Asian origin.

"I first visited Bahrain three decades ago when the country had a desert look, but the kingdom can now boast a bubbling and vibrant city," he noted.

"I had invested in Bahrain jointly with Dadabhai Group president Mohammed Dadabhai, who played a catalystic role in bringing the delegation to Bahrain.

"My message to the British delegates is that you can trust this country."

Sir Gulam congratulated the organisers of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, who he said planned the event meticulously and organised it brilliantly.

"We are all delighted to be in Bahrain, which has launched an ambitious economic reforms initiative," he told the GDN.

"The visiting business groups will be pleased to explore the investment opportunities available in Bahrain, which has always welcomed foreign investors with open arms."

Other members of the delegation included Prakash P Hinduja and senior executives of the Hinduja Group, Dr Avtar Lit (Sunrise Radio), Anthony Good (Cox & Kings Travel Limited), Nat R Puri (Purico), Shabir Randeree (DCD Group), Sir Anwar Pervez and Sheikh Mohammed Usman (Bestway Holdings), Naeem Ghaurl (NetSol Technologies), H S Narula, Varun Khanna, B S Narula and Don Goodwin (D S Group of Companies), Shrai Madhvani, Abdulla Abahasin, S K Maqsood, D D Sangani and Ramseh Ashar (Millway Shippers).

Besides Dr Fakhro and Economic Development Board deputy chief executive Dr Zakaria Hejres, presentations on Bahrain were made by Finance Ministry Assistant Under-Secretary for Economic Affairs Mahmood Al Kooheji, Bahrain Monetary Agency banking operations executive director Dr Abdulrahman Saif and other officials..

The programme for the delegates includes visits to major economic projects in the kingdom, such as the Bahrain Financial Harbour, Riffa Views, the Bahrain International Investment Zone, the Bahrain International Circuit and Al Areen Resort and Spa.