OREANDA-NEWS. A Russian-Bahraini Business Forum opened in Moscow. In the attendance of the Forum were executives of major companies, financing institutions, representatives of line ministries and agencies of Russia and the Kingdom of Bahrain. In the course of the Forum, Chairman of the Russian-Bahraini Business Council (RBBC), Vnesheconombank Chairman Vladimir Dmitriev met Crown Prince of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa.

Giving a welcoming address to the Forum's participants, Vladimir Dmitriev said that increased cooperation with the Persian Gulf region is one of Russian foreign policy priorities in the Middle East. And we hope that Crown Prince Sheikh Salman as well as our Business Forum will give an impetus for political and business cooperation between our countries and other countries of the region. "We regard the Kingdom of Bahrain as a promising partner in the Persian Gulf region; strenuous efforts are being made to expand trade and economic cooperation between our countries. Cooperation between Vnesheconombank and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (Vnesheconombank Group) holds much promise in the investment sector", he stressed.

In his turn, acting Head of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, Transport Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed said: "We want Russian companies to come to the Bahraini market. To this end, we have created an attractive investment climate in Bahrain".

The Forum's participants paid particular attention to organizing a trade and industrial show "Russia - the Persian Gulf" with the participation of companies from the countries that are members of the Cooperation Council for Arab States of the Gulf. The show is expected to be held in early 2015 in the capital of Bahrain.

The two sides believe that the show would help Russian companies and their Arab partners to get to know each other better and understand each other's potential. A wide range of Russian industrial products are expected to be exhibited in the show. This show would help to increase trade between Russia and Bahrain and would be of interest for companies from other Persian Gulf and Middle East countries.

Vnesheconombank has been chairing RBBC since 2007. During this period, the number of its members has increased significantly and now RBBC is comprised of 32 Russian institutions. The Bank sees its task as to provide support for Russian industrial exports to Bahrain as well as to assist Russian companies in implementing joint investment projects.