CROWN Prince and BDF Commander-in-Chief Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa yesterday paid tribute to the contributions of the 260,000-strong Indian community in the building of modern Bahrain.

His praise came at a lunch meeting organised by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) at the Hilton Towers, Mumbai, prior to the conclusion of his four-day official visit to India.

"About 260,000 Indians are working alongside our Bahraini nationals, in helping to build our country," said the Crown Prince.

"Among them are doctors, engineers, bankers, accountants, lawyers, and skilled and unskilled workers in the construction industry."

The meeting was attended by captains of Indian industry and the delegation accompanying the Crown Prince.

Shaikh Salman said many Bahraini institutions had heavily invested in the Indian economy.

"In this room today, there are Bahraini business leaders whose investments in the Indian economy would reach about $1 billion," he said.

The Crown Prince recalled the historic ties of four millennia which bind Bahrain and India. "Trade has always been a significant component of this relationship," he said.

"Indian traders have helped make our relationship positive and long-standing. This historic relationship is now ready and willing to grow."

Bahrain, said the Crown Prince, was now undergoing a rapid reform process. "I am here to introduce my country, the Kingdom of Bahrain; a country I love, a country I am passionate about, a country I believe in and a country of vision and dynamism," he said.

"We have been the financial capital of the Middle East for decades, and we are now the most open and welcoming country in the Gulf."

At a time when the economy is growing regionally, Bahrain stands to benefit, said Shaikh Salman.

He urged Indian business houses and industries to make use of the investment potential offered by Bahrain.

EDB chief executive Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa made a presentation on investment opportunities available in Bahrain and the incentives offered by the government.

"Bahrain is a regional pioneer with a constant drive for improvement," he said. "Concrete steps have been taken to stimulate business, transform the government and invest in people."

Above Report Covered By Gulf Daily News

Coverage by Alwasat Newspaper

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