Manama (TDI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to expand economic cooperation with Bahrain across multiple sectors, including agriculture, information technology and artificial intelligence.
The premier made the remarks while addressing the business community in Manama during his official visit to the kingdom.
PM Shehbaz, who arrived in Manama a day earlier, held delegation-level talks with Bahrain’s leadership at Al Qudaibiya Palace. He said Pakistan and Bahrain had enjoyed strategic cooperation for decades, rooted in cultural ties, mutual respect and shared values.
Addressing King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the premier said Pakistan was eager to build synergy in emerging fields such as fintech, AI, and agriculture. He described his meetings with the Bahraini leadership as “extremely productive” and emphasised that relations must now translate into robust economic partnerships.
Highlighting Pakistan’s demographic advantage, he noted that 60% of the population consisted of youth aged 15 to 30. He said Pakistan was committed to converting this challenge into an opportunity by expanding training in IT, AI and vocational skills, adding that joint initiatives with Bahraini entrepreneurs could generate substantial momentum.
Read More: Pakistan, Bahrain Vow to Boost Economic and Defense Cooperation
PM Shehbaz also paid tribute to the Pakistani community in Bahrain for their contributions to both nations. He lauded their remittances, amounting to $484 million in the last financial year, and called them “great ambassadors of Pakistan”. He thanked Bahrain’s leadership for supporting and facilitating the Pakistani diaspora.
The premier said Pakistan’s strategic location, talent pool and expanding consumer market, combined with Bahrain’s financial expertise and global outlook, offered “enormous potential”. He said Pakistan’s ongoing economic reforms, digital transformation and push for private sector-led growth had opened new avenues for long-term partnerships in agriculture, minerals, tourism, energy and IT.
Referring to the nearly finalised Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement (GCC FTA), he said its signing would significantly boost trade between Pakistan and GCC states, particularly Bahrain. He urged Bahraini investors to seize the moment and launch bold new collaborations with Pakistan.
Read More: Pakistan, Bahrain Vow to Strengthen Parliamentary Cooperation
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Bahrain’s Finance Minister Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa. According to the Foreign Office, the two sides held fruitful discussions on cooperation in the financial sector. Bahrain, known for its progress in fintech, offered to share expertise with Pakistan’s banking industry. Both sides agreed to form joint teams to map out future collaboration in banking, commerce, finance and the wider economy.
