- Minister of Industry and Commerce: “Made in GCC” lays the foundations for a Gulf platform to strengthen industrial and investment partnerships and enhance the global competitiveness of Gulf products
- The first edition recorded more than 10,500 registrations and attracted over 120 exhibitors across more than 20,000 square metres
Sakhir: The Kingdom of Bahrain has concluded the first, inaugural edition of the Made in GCC 2026 Forum and Exhibition, held over three days at Exhibition World Bahrain. The event saw broad participation from government entities, industrial institutions, investors and experts from across the Gulf Cooperation Council states, and featured the announcement of a number of agreements, partnerships and industrial projects across a range of strategic sectors.
The Forum and Exhibition was opened, on behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in the presence of senior officials. It was attended by GCC ministers responsible for industry and commerce and the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, alongside senior officials, industry leaders, investors, manufacturers and experts from across the GCC.
The first edition recorded more than 10,500 registrations and attracted over 120 exhibitors across more than 20,000 square metres. More than 30 speakers and experts took part in eight main sessions addressing priority issues for the future of Gulf industry, including access to global markets, supply chain resilience, joint investment, smart factories and innovation, sustainability, finance, and infrastructure and economic zones.
The Forum and Exhibition also saw the announcement of a number of agreements, partnerships and industrial expansions in sectors including energy and energy storage, aluminium, food industries, automotive and batteries, logistics, industrial finance and sustainable manufacturing, as well as initiatives to boost exports and open new markets for Gulf products, reflecting the growing opportunities for cooperation and joint investment among GCC states.
On this occasion, His Excellency Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, affirmed that the inaugural edition of Made in GCC had laid a base on which to build shared industrial and investment opportunities among GCC states. He noted that the region’s resources, industrial capabilities, advanced infrastructure, logistics and financial services, and skilled talent together form an integrated ecosystem that can be harnessed to strengthen Gulf value chains and expand the presence of Gulf products in global markets.
His Excellency said: “Our ambition goes beyond increasing industrial output in the Gulf. It is about deepening the integration of our industries and markets, and building more connected and competitive Gulf value chains that can attract investment and reach global markets. The first edition of Made in GCC has highlighted the scale of opportunity for the public and private sectors to translate this ambition into joint industrial and investment partnerships.”
He explained that Bahrain’s hosting of the inaugural edition reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Gulf economic cooperation and integration, and to strengthening platforms that bring together decision-makers, investors, manufacturers and industrial solution providers. He stressed that the significance of Made in GCC extends beyond the Forum and Exhibition itself, to the relationships, partnerships and investment opportunities that can be built upon to develop and strengthen the competitiveness of the Gulf’s industrial base.
He added that the next phase calls for continued joint work and building on the achievements of the first edition, while strengthening the role of the private sector as a key partner in developing Gulf industries, expanding cross-border investment, and supporting innovation and sustainable manufacturing, thereby enhancing the GCC’s position on the global industrial and trade map.
His Excellency commended the collective efforts that contributed to the success of the inaugural edition, noting that the organisation of the event embodied the spirit of “Team Bahrain” and the close collaboration between government entities and the private sector. He expressed his appreciation for the contributions of all working teams and of the strategic partners and private sector supporters, including Foulath Holding, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), Midal Cables, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK), APM Terminals Bahrain and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as the support provided by the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, and the in-kind contributions of a number of other partners.
The conclusion of the inaugural edition of Made in GCC marks a first milestone in building on the industrial and investment engagement it generated and in developing opportunities for cooperation among Gulf institutions and companies, in support of shared efforts towards a more integrated, diversified and competitive Gulf industrial base in regional and global markets.
