Manama: Mahmood Rafique, Editor: The Kingdom of Bahrain has a great potential to serve as the regional food security hub, thanks to the excellent infrastructure and strategic location of the Kingdom.
“There is an enormous potential to collaborate between two countries to set up the Bahraini Australian Food Security Hub Office which will pave the way to set up production and processing plants in Bahrain. In addition, it will open new era of jobs in logistic sector for the local and regional workforce,” Simon Harrison, Chairman Australia Bahrain Business Council, said.
“Both sides are discussing the modalities to establish a regional food security hub in the Kingdom of Bahrain,” Simon said.
Simon is a part of delegation on three-day visit (June 19-21) to Manama and held talks with the Economic Development Board and other entities including the private sector to explore the opportunities of cooperation in food security and agriculture sector.
“We feel that what we can establish a food security hub infrastructure in Bahrain in partnership with Australian companies which will cater for the food supplies of Bahrain and the region,” he said.
“Australia is one of the major producers of wheat and grains and has been one of the major known suppliers of the food and grans. There is certainly a great cooperation between Australian production and expertise and the talents, abilities, and infrastructure in Bahrain and that has not explored earlier. So, I think for the first time in the relationship, both sides have set up the Business Council. That is the first one in the whole history of the relationship,” he added.
“And those of us who know the Middle East, very well have had said for years, that this should be the market which Australia would be looking at. With the establishment of the business council, I have received more queries in the past 20 months than in the last 20 years of working in both countries,” he said.
“Initially we got very warm response from Australian companies those are keen coming to Bahrain and we are planning a major visit by November this year.
“We are working very closely with both public and private sectors to finalsie the necessary steps for the roadmap. We are also planning to hold a series of conferences and informative sessions for the prospective partners and stakeholders. Also, we will work closely with the various airports and seaports here for coordination and food supply chain,” he said.
“A major part of the project is production and processing plants, and we are expecting huge response from logistic sector and other related sectors. We are holding talks with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the agricultural department of the ministries as well. Once get green signal to produce this roadmap, we can then get the whole thing moving forward quickly.
“I proudly announce that we are the third largest business council in Australia since its inception two and half year ago. Australians are recognizing that Bahrain is the obvious partner for the whole region,” he added,” he said.
