Royal call for Bahrainis to invest in future of food security

TDT | Manama                                     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain's Deputy Prime Minister, HE Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, has emphasised the importance of encouraging Bahrainis to continue investing in the food industry in order to improve levels of food security and diversify supply chains.

This is particularly important in the field of aquaculture and will be achieved through effective partnerships with the private sector.

He stressed that this initiative is in line with the visions and aspirations of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and is being implemented under the guidance of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

HH Shaikh Khalid indicated that based on its 2023–2026 programme, the government will support projects aimed at achieving food security by offering a package of investment plots in the fields of plant agriculture, animal husbandry, and fish farming, providing the beneficiaries with the necessary support, and facilitating their access to safe technologies to increase food production.

He made the statements while visiting the National Aquaculture Centre in Ras Hayyan, along with Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture; Ibrahim bin Hassan Al Hawaj, Minister of Works; and HH Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Southern Governor, in addition to officials and businessmen.

HH Shaikh Khalid inaugurated the Gulf Aquaculture Company, the first project of its kind in Bahrain to produce farmed shrimp. This is one of the successful outcomes of the partnership initiative between the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture and the private sector, which supports efforts to enhance levels of food security locally.

The Deputy Premier said that the first fish farming company will encourage Bahraini investors to set up similar projects in the future to contribute to boosting the national economy by producing safe and high-quality local food.