By staff reporter Zhou Jing & Maverick Chen

2009 is the 20th anniversary of the establishment of China-Bahrain diplomatic relations, and the Bahrain business community is hoping to boost bilateral ties and economic cooperation by activating a China-Bahrain Joint Business Council.

Jawad Yousuf Alhawaj, member of the Executive Committee and Chairman of Retail Sales & Traditional Markets Committee, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI). [China.org.cn]

In an exclusive interview, Jawad Yousuf Alhawaj, member of the Executive Committee and Chairman of Retail Sales & Traditional Markets Committee, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI), told China.org.cn that the two countries had agreed in principle to set up a Bahrain-China Joint Business Council (JBC) as far back as 2002, and Bahrain is keen to work with China to activate the body as soon as possible.

He said Bahrain intends to send representatives to China to discuss general business cooperation and the activation of the JBC. The JBC could provide a platform both for Chinese investment in Bahrain and Bahraini investment in China, he said.

The Arab-China Cooperation Forum to be held in Bahrain in 2011 will also offer a good opportunity for China-Bahrain cooperation in economic and other fields, he added. The forum shows the willingness of both sides to seek greater cooperation and pursue common interests.

Senior officials of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) are talking to a Chinese delegation on bilateral economic cooperation on May 17. 2009. [China.org.cn]

Deputy CEO of the BCCI Yousif Ahmed Almahdi said that Bahrain attached great importance to its relations with China.

BCCI will invite Chinese investors to attend a series of international exhibitions in Bahrain, along the lines of the international tourism expo held from May 14 to 16, and will work to consolidate relations between the business communities of the two countries, he indicated.

BCCI also said it would make efforts to increase the volume of trade between two countries and seek joint investment opportunities.

According to BCCI, in 2008, Bahrain's main exports to China were cotton, aluminum plate and rods, fish, hydrocarbons, methanol and iron ore.

China's exports to Bahrain last year consisted mainly of machine parts, telephone handsets, silicon, portable computers, telegraphic components, magnesium, ceramic tiles, wood and aluminum foil.

Senior officials of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) and a Chinese delegation are posing for a group photo on May 17. 2009. [China.org.cn]

China and Bahrain have signed a series of agreements since establishing diplomatic ties. In 1990 the two sides signed an economic, trade cooperation and technical agreement; in 2000 they signed an investment promotion and protection (PPI) agreement, and in 2002, an agreement on double taxation and prevention of tax evasion.

There are currently 18 Chinese commercial agencies active in Bahrain working in different areas of trade, industry and services. The Bank of China also has a branch office in Bahrain.

(China.org.cn May 21, 2009)