IRDA INKS MoU WITH BAHRAIN
It will attract kingdom’s investors to Iskandar Malaysia
MANAMA (Bahrain)
AMEMORANDUM of understanding between the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) and Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) was signed during the Sultan of Johor’s official visit here.
The MoU was a result of discussions between Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and Bahrain’s King Hamad Isa Al Khalifa. It was signed by Irda chief executive Datuk Ismail Ibrahim and EDB managing director Dr Simon Galpin at the board’s headquarters yesterday.
The MoU will pave the way for various economic collaborations and attract Bahrain investors to Iskandar Malaysia, while helping Johor investors to enter the Middle Eastern market.
It reflects the close friendship and positive outcome from Sultan Ibrahim’s three-day official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, which was at the invitation of King Hamad.
Johor deputy state secretary Ramlee Abdul Rahman said the Johor ruler’s visit had led to a positive outcome as it would bring about new opportunities for Johor.
“His Majesty’s official visit has greatly reinforced the positive and strong relationship between Bahrain and Johor. This relationship has produced cooperation in various aspects, including economy, friendship and development,” he said.
Ramlee said there were many similarities between Johor and Bahrain, as apparent in their historical backgrounds and their respective roles as burgeoning economies located in major global trade routes.
“Both (Johor and Bahrain) share similar historical backgrounds and have monarchs who are modern and progressive.”
Sultan Ibrahim played a key role in expediting the MoU after he and the Johor delegation attended a briefing by EDB at its headquarters yesterday.
Present at the briefing were Bahrain Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed Mubarak AlKhalifa, Galpin and EDB executive director for manufacturing, transport, logistics and industrial services sections Husain Rajab.
Ismail, who gave a presentation at the EDB briefing, said collaboration in the halal industry was among the sectors that Bahrain and Johor were pursuing.
“An Irda survey revealed that only 20 per cent of the world's demand for halal products and services have been fulfilled thus far. Eighty per cent of this demand has yet to be tapped into. This means that there is huge potential that could be explored by both Bahrain and Johor in the halal industry,” said Ismail.
He said the agreement signalled the determination of Bahrain and Johor, especially Iskandar Malaysia, as both sides had the same mission to see economic growth in their respective territories.