Bahrain, Russia broaden relations, sign six MoUs

Manama : Bahraini-Russian ties have taken a step further with the recent signing of six cooperation agreements in the fields of education, economy and healthcare.

This was announced during a meeting held between Capital Governor Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa and St. Petersburg’s Governor Georgy Poltavchenko, who is on a three-day visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain along with a high profile 60-membered Russian delegation.

The delegation will be holding more than 20 meetings with establishments in both the public and private sectors during the visit.

In the meeting, which was held at the Public Security Officers Club in Gudaibiya yesterday, two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the University of Bahrain (UoB) and St. Petersburg State University, and Bahrain Business Women’s Society and St. Petersburg Social and Economic Institute.

During his speech, Shaikh Hisham pointed that the agreements will strengthen cooperation between Bahrain and St. Petersburg in different fields.

He also mentioned a cooperation agreement signed between Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and its counterpart in St. Petersburg, in addition to three other agreements signed last month in the field of healthcare and improving the quality of health services.

The Capital Governor also recalled his visit to the Russian city last October and the outcomes of the visit, which included the interest of opening branches of local banks in both Bahrain and St. Petersburg, increasing trade exchange.

“Many investors from St. Petersburg shared their intention to initiate several projects in Bahrain in the field of desalination, waste recycling, construction development, pharmaceutical industry, education, tourism, oil extraction and more,” Shaikh Hisham said, while recommending formation of a mutual committee to follow up on the outcomes of the previous visit to St. Petersburg.

On his part, Poltavchenko said the strengthening of ties between both the countries is in line with the decisions taken during the meeting between His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Russian President Vladimir Putin recently.

He welcomed the recommendations of activating cooperation in industrial and commercial fields as well as broadening cultural and youth coordination.

The St. Petersburg Governor also called for establishing a mutual commercial centre and a permanent work group.

Capital Governor Invited to International Forum

By the end of the meeting, Poltavchenko officially invited Shaikh Hisham to attend St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2016, which will take place from June 16 to 18.

New horizons for Bahraini-Russian ties

Signing the MoU between University of Bahrain and St. Petersburg State University from the Bahraini side was UoB President Dr. Riyadh Hamza, who told DT News that the agreement would benefit both the varsities. He added that the MoU includes exchanging students and teachers, as well as initiating scholarship programmes between both universities.

Meanwhile, Bahrain Businesswomen’s Society Board Member, General Secretary and Trade Exhibitions Committee Head Feryal Nass told DT News on the sidelines of the event that the MoU signed with St. Petersburg Social and Economic Institute would broaden the activities of the society and contribute in enriching its international experience. 

However, Nass said it’s too early to speak in detail about the articles of the MoU.