UAE President, Bahrain King reaffirm commitment to cooperation and development

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, recently met with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain at his residence in Abu Dhabi. This meeting highlighted the strong ties and ongoing cooperation between the UAE and Bahrain, reinforcing their shared commitment to regional stability.

During the meeting, His Highness and His Majesty engaged in cordial and friendly conversations with those present, fully reflecting the deep-rooted fraternal bonds between the two countries and their peoples. Both sides reaffirmed their joint commitment to strengthening cooperation in all fields to support development priorities and ensure the sustainable prosperity of both nations and their citizens, aiming for long-term mutual benefit.

Those in attendance included His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court; Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Advisor to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs; as well as a number of Sheikhs and officials from both sides, demonstrating the high-level engagement between the two countries.

In terms of economics, the UAE and Bahrain continue to strengthen bilateral relations. In the first half of 2024, non-oil trade between the two countries reached AED 15.3 billion (approximately US$4.16 billion), an increase of 26% compared to the same period in 2023. Furthermore, the robust economic links between the UAE and Bahrain, including various agreements and memoranda of understanding, have played a crucial role in driving the significant growth in bilateral trade, fostering a dynamic economic partnership.

In 2023, the UAE accounted for 10% of Bahrain's foreign direct investment (FDI) stock, ranking third overall. According to data from the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), Bahrain achieved a record US$6.8 billion in foreign direct investment inflows in 2023, underscoring the importance of the UAE-Bahrain partnership in promoting economic development and attracting international investment.