The 5th Bahrain International Tourism Expo (BITE) concluded with an anticipated success despite world financial difficulties. Albeit the crisis deterred Chinese exhibitors from coming to the grand event to promote business, a number of hosted buyers from China still turned up at the venue as scheduled, seeking business opportunities involving the Middle East and beyond, and this attracted the attention of the local authority.

BECA officials meet the Chinese hosted buyers [China.org.cn]

Bahrain Exposition and Convention Authority (BECA), the Bahraini Ministry of Industry and Commerce's agency responsible for all conventions, set up a special meeting with the delegates from China consisting of import/exporters from Beijing members, of Dalian Chamber of Commerce, Chongqing etc.

"We are always ready to strengthen business cooperation with China, and are happy to host delegations from China who are interested in our exhibitions," said Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen, BECA's Deputy CEO in her welcome address.

She went on to reveal that no Chinese exhibitors came to register booths in BITE despite the special cost-free favorable terms offered both by Bahraini Ministry of Industry and Commerce and Magnum Events and Exhibitions Management (MEEM). "Seems the financial crisis is affecting our business," Stanford-Kristiansen said. "But we are still glad that this year's BITE registered another full house. And we certainly hope to see more Chinese presence in future BITE as well as other business activities in Bahrain."

Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen, BECA's Deputy CEO talks to the Chinese delegation. [China.org.cn]

During the meeting, some Chinese delegates expressed their interest in participating in business fairs in Bahrain and checked on administrative procedures and issues such as fares. Ge Yuguang, deputy director of Dalian Administrative Office of Exhibition and Liu Jingzhen from China National Automotive Industry International Corp say they might consider setting up an automobile fair here to promote car sales in the Gulf Region, while Jin Zhaoyan, GM of Global Brand Management, chief authorized dealer of Korean daily care product '777', regards this a potential opportunity for entrepot trade for her company.

"Since Bahrain has a free-trade relationship with US, Japan and several other countries, we can take this advantage and export our semi-finished products here to Bahrain and have them processed in by local plants to be later re-exported to those countries. Or we can simply establish our sole-proprietor factories here." Jin said with an air of elation after being briefed by BECA officials on the general business environment of Bahrain, including the regulations and the Kingdom's taxation system.

As Stanford-Christiansen explained, BECA is in good standing with Gulf Air and the local hotels such as Ritz-Carlton, Crowne Plaza, Diplomat Radisson SAS, and Golden Tulip as well as Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Center – the venue of BITE - therefore have the ability to apply for discounted air tickets and a series of hotel convention services.

Simultaneously, the Chinese delegates also sent their cordial invitations to the Bahraini authority, wishing to see more business activity between the two countries.

Bahrain Trade Office (BTO) in China, which was established by Bahrain's Ministry of Industry and Commerce, coordinated the delegation trip, and will continue to undertake the role as business link between the two countries, as promises by Abby Sun, who represents BTO in this activity.

Both parties agree that in light of the 20 years of establishment of diplomatic relationships between the two countries, there would be an increased business volume and strengthened ties linking China and Middle East pearl Bahrain.

(China.org.cn by Maverick Chen and Zhou Jing, June 2, 2009)