Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro paid tribute to Bahrain's leadership for their support to boost the exhibitions industry to enhance the Kingdom's economic status regionally and globally as part of the 'Economic Vision 2030.'

Dr Fakhro, also the chairman of Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority, hailed the efforts of Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions to hold the Gulf Industry Fair (GIF 2012) under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

The minister said the GIF 2012 is a great opportunity for local, regional and international companies to exchange information and expertise to boost Bahrain's economy.

He highlighted the ministry's strategy to raise the industrial sector's contribution to the GDP to 25 per cent by 2020 compared to 17pc in 2010.

He said Salman Industrial City, inaugurated by His Majesty King Hamad in January 2010, is able to accommodate many industrial companies and that industrial zones in the kingdom currently house 156 firms with investments worth about $3.5 billion and employing 25,000 workers.-TradeArabia News Service