Baytik Industrial Oasis showcased as main sponsor of Gulf International Industry Fair 2009

BIO will highlight the potential investment opportunities the Oasis will offer, at the Gulf International Industry Fair 2009, the most important and comprehensive industry related exhibition in the Middle East.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the event, which is currently taking place between 13-15 January at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre, will provide a highly targeted opportunity for organisations within the growing regional industrial sector to showcase their products and services.

As main sponsors of the event, BIO will focus its attention on generating greater inward investment and stimulating job creation within Bahrain. It aims to capitalise upon the increased expansion in the industrial sector and fast growing demand for industrial based real-estate projects in Bahrain.

Commenting on BIO's participation at the event, Mr. Osama Al Khajah, Chairman of BIO and Head of Project Development at Kuwait Finance House - Bahrain, said:

"The huge expansion of the economies in the Arabian Gulf has stimulated soaring investment opportunities in domestic manufacturing. As in Bahrain, most of the GCC countries are tending to reduce economic dependence on oil and gas by developing industrial zones to stimulate growth in manufacturing. According to the latest statistics, the total value of all non-oil and gas industrial projects in the region already exceeds $115bn."

"Work is well underway in Bahrain on constructing a multi-billion dollar programme to create a series of industrial zones offering huge incentives such as 100% foreign ownership with tax free status. BIO's sponsorship of the event is in line with our endeavour to support initiatives that work towards the development of our economy and the Kingdom," he added.

Nader Al Moayyed, CEO of Baytik Industrial Investments Co., commented, "Our participation in the Gulf International Industry Fair aims at introducing the unique investment opportunities available in Baytik Industrial Oasis. We are excited about building future relationships with key regional and international players in the industrial sector. That said, BIO is keen on participating in leading regional and international fairs and exhibitions, especially those that play a significant role in shaping Bahrain's industrial sector."

BIO will comprise of 154,000 m² of land, located within the Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP), a newly established area located in the Hidd industrial zone, which focuses on the technology, manufacturing and service sectors. BIIP covers over 250 hectares with 25.5km of all necessary infrastructure works required for public utilities to support the operation, including: electricity, roads, water, sewerage, landscaping and ample car parking.

The BIO project is planned to be implemented in two phases. Phase 1 covers an area of 117,400 m² where as Phase 2 covers 37,000 m².

Phase 1 comprises of Advanced Factory Units for leasing purposes. These will be in the form of 6 Units made out of pre engineered buildings; each unit will consist of 4 Modules of equal sizes, for more flexibility. Phase 1 will also include an eight storey Knowledge Base Building having a total built up area of 9,870.00 m². The building will be finished in all common areas with the rentable space left in a shell form.

Furthermore, BIO will offer potential tenants a host of facilities to meet their needs including Security, logistics and administration as well as providing for unparalleled access to sea, air and road transportation. The Oasis is ideally positioned with the best possible levels of connectivity and access. It is located only 5 minutes by road to the Bahrain International Airport; the existing seaport of Mina Salman and the new Hidd deepwater port. In addition, there is direct motorway access to Saudi Arabia, the region's largest market, via the 25km Saudi-Bahraini Causeway.