interview Bahrainthismonth.com January 2024 17 by our brothers and sisters in Bahrain. This community plays the role of a bridge between our peoples. What are some of the challenges facing the Bahrain-Pakistan relationship, and how do you plan to address them? I don’t see any challenges as such. However, there are always opportunities to build on an already-solid relationship. The two countries, for example, can work together in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics and cyber security. Similarly, in traditional areas of economic cooperation as well, we always have room to broaden bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit. What are the trade figures between Bahrain and Pakistan? What are the main imports and exports? Bilateral trade is in the vicinity of around USD1 billion. From our side, we mainly export agricultural and food items such as meat, fish and vegetables to Bahrain. From Bahrain, we are primarily importing oil and petrochemical products. However, there is a surge in trade in services as well. Overall, the balance of trade has remained in favour of Bahrain by a considerable margin. What can the Pakistan government do to support Pakistani businesses and entrepreneurs who are interested in expanding into the Bahraini market? Interestingly, we are already working on it. One of the key challenges for Pakistani exporters to introduce and distribute their products in Bahrain has been the absence of any major Pakistani supermarket in Bahrain. Similarly, Bahrain offers a very attractive investment regime. We are approaching Pakistani businesses to inform them of these opportunities and intend to get them in touch with the relevant Bahraini agencies here. Approximately how many Pakistanis reside in Bahrain and in what fields do they work? By our estimate, there are approximately 80,000 Pakistanis in Bahrain. They are working as professionals including doctors, engineers, bankers, chartered accountants, businessmen and labour workers. What are your ideas to boost tourism between the two countries and are there any cultural exchanges planned? Gulf Air has regular flights operating to and from Pakistan. Similarly, there are some flights of Pakistan International Airlines. In the past, we have been in touch with these airlines to see how this easy travel between the two countries can be leveraged more for tourism. As for cultural activities, you’ll see the Pakistani diaspora in Bahrain actively celebrating Bahrain’s National Day. These events are a venue of projecting and introducing our younger generations with culture of both countries. Some performers were recently invited by Pakistani doctors for a music event and similarly, Bahrainis in Pakistan have been invited to their events by the respective embassy. What is your message for the Pakistani community in Bahrain? Our community is fully aware of the generous hospitality which is extended to them by our Bahraini brothers and sisters. They as a community, and we as their embassy here, are grateful for the opportunity that Bahrain provides to these people to work productively to the benefit of both countries. My message to them, I am sure though that they are already doing it, is to work with dedication for the progress and prosperity of Bahrain. Outside of your ambassadorial duties, what is your main hobby? I try to work out, though it is not very regular! Reading, however, is a life-long hobby and I enjoy a mixture of both fiction and non-fiction. Anything more to add? I’d like to thank Bahrain This Month for this opportunity to discuss the beautiful relationship between our countries, and I also extend our felicitations to our brothers and sisters in Bahrain on their recent 52nd National Day and wish them a prosperous New Year for 2024. Scan to watch the full interview
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