Bahrain sees the success of Salman Industrial City as a starting point for greater ambitions.

'With the support of a leading international consultant, we are commencing a feasibility study for a major new industrial city to cater for the medium term needs of Bahrain's future industrial expansion,' Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro told Singapore President S R Nathan in a welcome address during his visit to the city yesterday.

'We recognise that infrastructure alone cannot bring success and we can only succeed if we offer international investors a competitive advantage in choosing Bahrain as against other locations in the Middle East,' he said.

'Investments from Singaporean companies such as MTQ Corporation and the opportunity to learn further from the outstanding successes of Singapore in the consultation we have with your IDA International are important to Bahrain.

'It is for these reasons and for the enhancement of the close friendship between our two countries that I am grateful to you and your delegation for your visit to the city today,' he said.

'In the 45 years of the Republic of Singapore, it has seen remarkable progress in industry, commerce and the economy as a whole,' Dr Fakhro added.

'With gross domestic product (GDP) per capita having increased from $500 in 1965 to more than $50,000 today, the rewards for your people of the enlightened policies you have followed are clear for all to see.

'Industrial development and foreign direct investment were of course key drivers of the success which you can rightly be proud of. For us in Bahrain, industrial development, inward investment and the role of manufacturing are also very important to our on-going endeavours to improve the quality of life and living standards of our people.

'Diversifying our economy is of critical importance and in this regard it is noticeable that in recent years manufacturing has grown to more than 16 per cent of Bahrain's GDP,' Dr Fakhro said.

'Salman Industrial City is playing a key role in Bahrain's diversification programme.

'Just as you have made Singapore a regional hub for Southeast Asia as well as a global leading economy, our goal through facilities such as those provided in the city is to position Bahrain as one of the leading locations for manufacture in the GCC and Middle East region,' he added.

Nathan and his delegation also visited the King Fahad Causeway.

He later left Bahrain and was seen off by Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.-TradeArabia News Service