A Malaysia-Bahrain business council is being planned to boost trade, it was revealed yesterday.

Malaysia National Chamber of Commerce secretary-general Syed Hussein Al Habshee said the council will mark 40 years of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Bahrain, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

He stressed the need to further bolster close ties between the two countries.

"It is the right time to make the announcement," he said at a Press conference held at the Kempinski Grand and Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre.

"There will be more Malaysian companies in Bahrain in the near future," said Al Habshee.

"The Minister of International Trade in Malaysia, before I came to Bahrain, instructed me to look into the possibility of having a Malaysia-Bahrain business council in order to increase trade.

"I have had a very fruitful meeting with Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) chairman Khalid Almoayed, who welcomed the idea."

"We will now be following up by sending a draft memorandum of understanding to the BCCI and wait for an appropriate opportunity to sign it.

"We already have a Malaysia-UAE business council and a Malaysia-Qatar business council will be coming up shortly, and so hopefully Bahrain will be next," he added.

The council would comprise 12 members from each country.-TradeArabia News Service