Leading Companies Set to Represent the Kingdom at the Bahrain International Airshow 2014

HM the King's Personal Representative and Head of the Supreme Organising Committee of BIAS, His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa confirmed the participation of some of the leading businesses and government organisations in the Kingdom and the GCC in the upcoming Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) which is set to kick-off from 16-18 January 2014.

His Highness further added that the Bahrain International Airshow will serve as platform to showcase the strength of the Kingdom’s economy and will affirm Bahrain’s position as a mature, business environment with open, transparent regulation allied to a low cost base and a highly skilled workforce. It also provides an opportunity to showcase Bahrain’s unparalleled regional connectivity as a major transportation hub with the closest links between road, sea, and aviation in the region, making Bahrain a strategically attractive place to access the $1.5 trillion Gulf market. Bahrain’s GCC neighbours will also play a significant role at the Airshow, including military and civil delegations from across the region. Other leading participants include TAG Aeronautics from Saudi Arabia; Tawazun Holding, the Abu Dhabi-based strategic investment holding company focused on defence and specialised manufacturing; and Qatar Airways and Saudi Airlines.

In turn, HE Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister of Transportation and Acting Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, stated that the level of representation also demonstrates the strength of the Kingdom’s economy. In 2012, transportation and communications contributed 7 per cent towards Bahrain’s GDP, up from 6.8 per cent in the previous year, whilst growing demand for access to the region means that passenger numbers are growing: 8.5 million people travelled through Bahrain International Airport in 2012, 8.8 per cent more than in 2011. Overall, the Kingdom’s economy is set to grow by around 5 per cent in 2013, increased from 3.4 per cent in 2012.

His Excellency further added “We are very proud of the level of support being shown by Bahraini organisations for the Kingdom’s Airshow in 2014. It demonstrates how, thanks to the leadership’s vision, Bahrain’s economy continues to diversify and grow, not only in the aviation sector, but across the board. We also thank our GCC neighbours for their role in ensuring the Airshow’s continued success.”

The event, which will be hosted at Sakhir Air Base, Kingdom of Bahrain from 16 to 18 January 2014, is organised by the Ministry of Transportation (MoT) and Royal Bahraini Air Force, and under the patronage of HM the King's Personal Representative and Head of the Supreme Organising Committee of BIAS, His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Government related organisations, including MoT’s Civil Aviation Affairs, the Royal Bahraini Air Force, the Bahrain Economic Development Board, Aluminium Bahrain, BAPCO, Batelco, Bahrain Airport Company and Gulf Air, are all proud supporters of the third edition of the Bahrain International Airshow.

They will represent the Kingdom to the 20,000 trade visitors, including around 100 companies and governmental, military and civil delegations, from over 25 countries, representing most of the key global markets.