Bahrain to host the inaugural edition of the "Made in the Gulf" Forum and Exhibition in October
Manama, July 25 (KUNA) -- The Kingdom of Bahrain will host the inaugural edition of the “Made in the Gulf 2026” Forum and Exhibition from October 6 to 8 next year, aiming to enhance Gulf industrial integration and consolidate the global competitiveness of Gulf industry. The forum is held under the patronage of Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, as a Gulf initiative endorsed by the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, reflecting their high-level directives to strengthen economic and industrial integration.
The forum aims to support the path toward sustainable development and consolidate the industrial sector’s position as a key pillar of economic diversification, by building a more competitive, sustainable, and adaptable Gulf industrial system capable of keeping pace with global economic changes.
The forum and exhibition will take place on the sidelines of the meetings of the GCC Industrial Cooperation Committee and the GCC Trade Cooperation Committee, along with their associated meetings, scheduled for October next year. The meetings are chaired by the Kingdom of Bahrain, led by Minister of Industry and Commerce Abdullah Al-Fakhro, with the participation of relevant ministers and GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi.
The forum will also see the participation of a distinguished group of senior officials, decision-makers, chief executive officers, investors, and experts, marking the largest Gulf industrial gathering aimed at enhancing industrial cooperation and integration among GCC member states and opening broader horizons for partnerships and targeted investments.
The event brings together a high-level strategic forum and a specialized industrial exhibition. The forum will discuss several strategic themes, including industrial policies, enhancing access to global markets, supply chain resilience, Gulf industrial integration, financing mechanisms, green manufacturing, smart factories, development of national competencies, and industrial infrastructure.
The exhibition will showcase the latest Gulf industrial products, technologies, and innovations, alongside platforms for investment and innovation, as well as bilateral business meetings, all contributing to strengthening economic and industrial partnerships and attracting targeted investments.
On this occasion, the Bahraini Minister of Industry and Commerce emphasized that Bahrain’s hosting of the first edition of the “Made in the Gulf 2026” Forum and Exhibition reflects the Kingdom’s advanced standing and trust within the framework of joint Gulf efforts, and reinforces its role in supporting initiatives that contribute to enhancing industrial and economic integration among GCC member states.
He noted that the forum and exhibition represent a strategic platform for exchanging expertise, strengthening industrial and investment partnerships, accelerating the adoption of innovation and advanced technologies, and highlighting Gulf industrial capabilities. This contributes to consolidating the “Made in the Gulf” brand as a unified industrial identity that reflects the quality and competitiveness of Gulf products and enhances their presence in regional and global markets.
He affirmed that the event constitutes a significant step toward building a more integrated, resilient, and sustainable Gulf industrial sector.
The forum and exhibition are expected to enhance cooperation between the public and private sectors, facilitate the exchange of best practices, attract targeted investments, and support industrial innovation, thereby boosting the competitiveness of Gulf products and increasing the industrial sector’s contribution to the economies of GCC member states. This aligns with the aspirations of GCC leaders for a more diversified, prosperous, and sustainable Gulf economy. (End) K.N.A. / H.S.S.
