ARMADA to invest US$50m

Manama : ARMADA, a leading GCC textile and fashion distribution company, yesterday announced it will invest US$50 million in Bahrain which will create more than 400 jobs in the Kingdom.  

The project, which includes a warehouse and the GCC headquarters of the company, is expected to generate revenues of up to US$70 million, annually. 

Following a groundbreaking ceremony held yesterday, ARMADA further revealed  that it plans to begin the project’s construction by next week.  The expected completion time for the construction is 18 months. Situated in the Bahrain Logistics Zone, the headquarters will span an area of over 18,000 square meters.

ARMADA logistics centre will rely on an intelligent storage system to increase capacity and facilitate fast and efficient processing of goods between ARMADA’s logistics centre and export processing areas, upon completion. 

The groundbreaking ceremony held yesterday morning was attended by Chairman of ARMADA, Ahmed Al Tahan; CEO of ARMADA, Ammar Al Tahan; Kamal Ahmed, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications; Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board; BCCI Chairman, Khalid Al Moayyed, several high-ranking government officials and prominent businessmen. 

“Bahrain’s geographic position, as well as its business-friendly environment, were key in choosing it as our regional logistics hub,” Ammar Al Tahan, CEO of ARMADA told DT News.  

“It was a clear-cut choice for us to opt Bahrain. The laws here, the logistics, the location etc... all made sense 

“We are already here, but the project will help expand our reach further,” he added. 

The warehouse, according to ARMADA, will increase its store count by 25 to 30, within next two years. 

“The warehouse will be completed quickly,” said Al Tahan adding that operations, however, will need more time to commence. 

In his address, Kamal Ahmed pointed out that the Bahrain’s transport and logistics sector enjoys the support of a strong and modern infrastructure network which is capable of supporting business growth and facilitating access to all neighbouring markets. 

Welcoming ARMADA’s decision to choose Bahrain as its logistics hub, Khalid Al Rumaihi, the Chief Executive of EDB said: “Bahrain’s strategic location in the GCC, its cost-effective environment and availability of highly-skilled and well-educated workforce is capable of attracting more investment to the Kingdom.”

ARMADA, established in Kuwait in 1973, specialises in the distribution of leading international textile and fashion brands. Now a popular chain with over 250 branches around the GCC, Armada started its operations from a single shop. The group now represents 15 international brands including Riva, Choice and Escada.