Doha:Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, attended the ninth edition of the World Investment Forum 2026 in Doha, held from October 25 to 27. The event was a convergence of ministers, government officials, international organizations, business leaders, and investors globally.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Minister Fakhro emphasized the importance of bolstering investment and industrial integration among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. He pointed out the need to utilize their competitive advantages and economic potential to foster regional cooperation and create new investment opportunities.
During a panel discussion on the future of investment in the Gulf region, Minister Fakhro highlighted the need for developing interconnected industrial value chains and integrating industrial investments with supporting services. He also stressed the importance of expanding opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to engage in major projects and supply chains.
Minister Fakhro participated in the UNCTAD World Investment Forum ministerial roundtable, where he noted that GCC countries have the prerequisites to become a leading global manufacturing hub. He advocated for prioritizing high-value investments, technology transfer, and positioning the GCC as an integrated market, emphasizing that investing in one GCC state opens access to the entire regional market. He also discussed the 'Made in the GCC' initiative and the significance of public-private partnerships and strategic alliances to enhance supply chain resilience.
On the forum's sidelines, Minister Fakhro met with Professor Frederick Ma Si-hang, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, to explore joint cooperation avenues. He also held discussions with Senator Ian Gorst, Minister for External Relations of Jersey, to identify areas of cooperation between the two sides.
The forum, organized in collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) under the theme "Investing in the Future," addressed crucial topics such as artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, investment policies, sustainable finance, tourism, culture, climate, the environment, and special economic zones.