President Asif Ali Zardari, who is on a four-day visit to Bahrain, highlighted on Thursday that Pakistan’s strategic geographic connectivity, linking South Asia, Central Asia, China and the Middle East, complemented the Gulf country’s financial expertise and regulatory framework.
He expressed these views while addressing a reception at the headquarters of Bahrain’s Economic Development Board (EDB), which is an investment promotion agency, a statement by the President’s Office said.
In his address, the president underscored Pakistan’s commitment to expanding economic cooperation, investment partnerships and institutional linkages with Bahrain, the statement said.
He “noted that the Economic Development Board plays a central role in shaping Bahrain’s economic strategy, attracting foreign investment and supporting diversification across key sectors”.
The president further observed that the board’s close coordination with government institutions and the private sector had helped Bahrain strengthen competitiveness, promote innovation and create a predictable and enabling environment for investors.
“President Zardari said the EDB’s model of policy coherence and investor facilitation offers a useful reference point for countries pursuing sustainable and inclusive growth,” the statement said.
It added that he also noted that Pakistan followed Bahrain’s development journey with “admiration and sees strong complementarities between the two economies”.
Highlighting Pakistan’s ongoing economic reforms, the president said the country was pursuing stability, digital modernisation and investment-led growth. He pointed to the Special Investment Facilitation Council as a “streamlined platform to facilitate investors”, with priority sectors including agriculture, information technology, energy, minerals, logistics and tourism.
Moreover, the president identified agriculture and food security, information technology and digital services, renewable energy and logistics as promising areas for Pakistan-Bahrain collaboration, the statement detailed.
It said the president also “emphasised Pakistan’s strategic geographic connectivity linking South Asia, Central Asia, China and the Middle East, which complements Bahrain’s financial expertise and regulatory framework”.
While outlining economic opportunities, the president also referred to regional security challenges and their impact on development, reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve to counter extremism, strengthen internal security and pursue peaceful relations with its neighbours, while safeguarding national interests, according to the statement.
“The president reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to protecting investment and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships, and thanked the leadership of Bahrain and the Economic Development Board for their role in advancing bilateral economic cooperation.”
He further commended the EDB for its “clear strategic vision and institutional strength”, observing that Bahrain’s success in positioning itself as an open and investor-friendly economy offers valuable lessons in a rapidly evolving global environment.
The statement also said the president appreciated Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa — who is also the Gulf country’s prime minister — “for the warm hospitality” extended during the visit.
It said the president conveyed his gratitude to King Hamad for the conferment of the Sheikh Issa Award, describing it as a gesture that reflected the depth of bilateral ties and mutual respect between the two countries.
“The president noted that the reception reflected the close and enduring friendship between Pakistan and Bahrain.”
The statement also mentioned that when Bahrain’s finance minister began briefing on economic development, the president interjected with a light remark, gesturing towards the Manama skyline and saying that the progress was visible before him and needed no explanation.
Separately, a post on the Presidency’s X account said President also met Bahrain’s Interior Minister Lt Gen Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa in capital Manama today.
“Both leaders pledged closer cooperation on security, counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism and reaffirmed strong bilateral ties,” the post said.
The president had arrived in Bahrain’s capital on Tuesday and met with Bahrain’s King at the royal residence, Al-Qudaibiya Palace.
According to the Foreign Office (FO), President Zardari will also hold a meeting with Crown Prince Salman during the trip.
“The visit seeks to reinforce Pakistan’s longstanding cooperation with the brotherly Gulf nation while expanding opportunities for collaboration in trade and economic partnership, defence and security, and people-to-people ties,” the FO said earlier this week.
Last year in November, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a two-day visit to Bahrain, had reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to deepening ties with the kingdom.
Discussing economic relations, the prime minister had underlined Pakistan’s desire to expand trade and investment and said bilateral trade was set to grow with the Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement.
Bahrain’s interior minister also visited Pakistan in September, with the two countries agreeing to enhance cooperation in the fields of counter-terrorism, anti-narcotics and immigration.
