Bahrain and Japan sign agreements to boost bilateral ties

Thirteen Memorandums of Understanding and agreements to strengthen cooperation were signed between Ministries, organisations and private sector companies in the fields of healthcare and pharmaceuticals, education and training, oil and gas, and financial services amongst others.

The agreements were signed during a five-day state visit by a senior Bahrain delegation led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain, the First Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Economic Development Board (EDB), including representatives from the EDB, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI), Mumtalakat, and the private sector.

The delegation's visit included the cities of Osaka and Tokyo, with the aim to strengthen bilateral relationships between the business communities and to highlight opportunities for investment in the Kingdom.

Kamal bin Ahmed, Minister of Transportation and Acting Chief Executive of the EDB, said, "We are delighted at the success of the delegation's visit to Japan. Bahrain and Japan have long shared a profitable economic partnership and today's announcements pay testimony to the benefits that both our countries can gain from working together."

Dr Esam Fakhro, Chairman of the BCCI, said, "We are very happy to announce such a wide range of economic agreements across a number of sectors that play an important role in both our economies. We look forward to developing these relationships in the future."

Bahrain and Japan have a close diplomatic relationship and strong economic and trade connections, dating back to 1932. Japan is one of Bahrain's major trading partners and Bahrain is also home to a number of major Japanese companies including Nomura Securities, Toyota Training Centre, Yokogawa, Daiwa Securities, Yamato Kogyo and SBI Pharmaceuticals.

The full list of commercial, economic and research-led cooperation agreements signed between the two countries included the following Ministries, organisations and private sector companies:

•The Bahrain Ministry of Education and Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology signed an agreement for mutual co-operation in the fields of education through research and exchange of information, academic staff, teachers and students.

•The Bahrain Ministry of Education and Japan's National Diet Library signed an agreement for mutual co-operation in the fields of libraries, sources of knowledge and digital archiving.

•The Bahrain Ministry of Works and Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism signed an agreement to consult and cooperate to enhance the management and development of sewage systems.

•The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), Mumtalakat, Kinoshita Pearl, Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) and First Stem Cell Japan signed a MoU to promote and revitalise Bahrain's pearl industry.

•A MoU between Bahrain's National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA) and the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) for the development of human resources, technology and prospects in oil and gas.

•MoU signed between Diwani Group Holding and SBI Pharmaceuticals.

•MoU signed between Bahrain Development Bank and SBI Pharmaceuticals.

•MoU signed between Mumtalakat and SBI Pharmaceuticals.

•Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Medical University of Bahrain, and the Tokyo Institute of Technology signed an agreement to collaborate between medical schools and life science engineering.

•Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Medical University of Bahrain, and SBI Pharmaceuticals signed an agreement to collaborate on clinical research.

•Arabian Gulf University and Juntendo University signed a MoU for the comprehensive collaboration (academic and scholarly exchange) of clinical research.

•Arabian Gulf University and SBI Pharmaceuticals signed an agreement to cover the first clinical study for diabetes.

•Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Medical University of Bahrain, and Kochi University signed an agreement to collaborate on clinical research, starting with cancer research.