Under the terms of the MoU, each party will work together to protect and enhance Bahrain’s pearling industry, with the aim of developing capacity, research, expertise, and technological know-how at the GPTLB, as well as identifying further opportunities for the sector to grow.
The Minister of Industry and Commerce Dr Hassan Abdullah Fakhro expressed his thanks to His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander for this pioneer initiative in developing the pearl industry in Bahrain that would contributed in bringing Bahrain back to its previous era as the world pearling center. He affirmed that the initiative will benefit the government, Bahrainis and those in the industry.
“The MoU is an exciting development for Bahrain’s pearling industry.”
He pointed out that the Kingdom of Bahrain dedicated its effort to ensure that the industry keeps up with international standards.
“By working in partnership with the GIA, the GPTLB will be provided with the facilities and expertise required to capitalise on regional and international trade and investment opportunities in this fast growing sector,” he said.
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Gemological Institute of America, a leading source of research, standards, and education in gems and jewellery, to ensure the GPTLB has the tools required to boost Bahrain’s pearl production capacity. Historically, pearling was the backbone of our economy, and we want to capitalise on our heritage, combined with world-class techniques and processes, to create a centre of excellence for the industry here in Bahrain,” Kamal bin Ahmed, Minister of Transportation and Acting Chief Executive of the Bahrain EDB, while commenting on the MoU, said.
“We are honoured to contribute GIA’s expertise and research, and to work alongside the EDB and the MOIC to build on Bahrain’s history and reputation, as a leading centre for natural pearl research and production,” Tom Moses, GIA Executive Vice President and Chief Laboratory and Research Officer, added.
“The agreement builds on Bahrain’s history as a world pearling centre, an industry which was once the backbone of the Kingdom’s economy. This history has been recognised today in an event, held under the patronage of Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, First Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the EDB, to honour the inscription of the Pearl Route as Bahrain’s 2nd UNESCO World Heritage Site and the 10th site to be awarded this status in the GCC,” the Ministry of Commerce in an official statement said.
The Pearl Route is the result of BD10 million project of the Ministry of Culture, to renovate one of Bahrain’s oldest neighbourhoods to maintain the artefacts and cultural heritage from the country’s pearl diving industry. The pearling site has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, making it the country’s 2nd World Heritage Site alongside Qalat Al Bahrain (Bahrain Fort), which gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 2005 as the capital of the Ancient Dilmun Civilisation.