Officials from the Economic Development Board (EDB) are currently on a visit to the People's Republic of China in preparation for a Bahraini roadshow to be conducted by a high-level delegation later this year.

The roadshow will cover Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

In co-operation with the Bahrain Embassy in China and with the attendance of Bahrain Ambassador Dr Anwar Al Abdulla, the EDB officials will attend various Chinese economic and trade events to learn about the Chinese economy.

EDB executive director of business development Vivian Jamal and manager of international relations Yousef Al Khan have held meetings with representatives of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in Beijing.

The meetings discussed ways to strengthen co-operation between both sides and support Chinese investors in the kingdom as well as seek future collaboration between the two countries.

The Bahraini delegation also attended a dinner along with Dr Al Abdulla and top officials of leading Chinese companies that have offices in Bahrain, including ChinaMex and Huawei.

The official trip that is planned before the year-end follows the visit by His Majesty King Hamad to China in September last year and comes in line with goals to strengthen mutual relations between the two countries.

The EDB delegation was also visiting Guangzhou Province to hold meetings with various Chinese entities including the Commerce Bureau of Guangdong Province Government and GFIC.

The aim is to discuss means of investment co-operation between Bahrain and Guangzhou Province, as well as plans for the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the union to promote the kingdom to Chinese companies in the province.

The delegation will learn more about Guangzhou's technical and economic story before heading to Shenzhen for meetings with its government representatives to discuss co-operation and potential agreements.

The trip will conclude in Hong Kong, where the Bahraini delegation will meet leading business and trade entities including Hong Kong Federation of Insurers and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.

The EDB established an international office in China in 2013, based on its strategy to attract foreign investment to Bahrain and to focus on targeted economic sectors which provide a competitive advantage to the kingdom.

The office is located at the Bahrain Embassy's headquarters in China where it handles the EDB affairs in Hong Kong under the management of Yun Jiang. - TradeArabia News Service