Manama, Bahrain – The non-oil trade volume between the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain rose to $6.5 billion in 2021, the visiting UAE foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said on Sunday while co-chairing with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Dr Abdulatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the 10th session of the UAE-Bahrain Joint Higher Committee.
However Sheikh Abdullah stressed that the growth in non-oil trade didn’t reflect the “true potential” of the two countries.
“We believe there are still myriad opportunities (to grow it further),” he said.
“We are looking forward to learning about the insights that the Emirati and Bahraini business communities have in common to seize available opportunities, drive the future of our relations, and explore various sectors with promising prospects, such as technology, banking, clean and renewable energy, healthcare and others,” Sheikh Abdullah added.
He further highlighted the importance of intensifying cooperation between the government and private sectors, as well as between the private sectors in the UAE and Bahrain.
Dr. Abdulatif bin Rashid underscored the “deep-rooted UAE-Bahrain relations”, adding that they are keen to develop them further.
“We are happy with the prudent foreign policy stance taken by the UAE and the real efforts being made with regard to promoting peace and stability in the region and the world, fostering cooperation between the GCC members, upholding the integrity of the Gulf, and boosting collective Arab action,” he said.