Bolstering economic ties

Turkey and Bahrain has been enjoying vast economic and trade relations for years. Turkey mainly imports aluminium and petro-chemicals from Bahrain and exports spare parts, foodstuffs, textiles and garments, tobacco products. Turkey’s exports $ 227.4 million and imports $186,7 million, totalling $ 414 million in 2017.

The first 9 months’ turnover reached $ 374,5 million this year. Bahrain, as a banking hub, hosts several Turkish banks dealing in wholesale banking activities. Turkey and Bahrain are the members of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC). They have common visions with regard to the challenges that the Islamic world has been facing.

His Majesty King Hamad was one of the leaders who visited Tur - key in order to show solidarity with the Turkish Government after the failed coup d’etat in 2016. Turkey and Bahrain share common cultural values and their geographical proximity is an advantage. You can reach Istanbul in four hours by plane. There are at least three different flights every day.

We even witnessed up to six direct flights to different cities in the last summer. Therefore, we may say that Turkey is one of the preferred destinations by Bahraini tourists. Last year, Bahrainis visited Turkey 59.442 times (We know that some Bahrainis go to Turkey more than once).

The first nine months statistics indicates that the number stood at 59.296. Turkey has celebrated 95th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic on Monday 29 October. It gives us excitement that we have only five years to reach centenary of the Republic. Bahrain will celebrate 47th anniversary of its independence in December.

We wish all the best to the leadership of Bahrain led by HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa as well as to the people of Bahrain for their continuous prosperity.