Bahraini attends panel discussion on Britain’s future after Brexit

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Kingdom, Shaikh Fawaz Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa has participated in a luncheon and a panel discussion on the future of Britain worldwide after Brexit.

The panel discussion has been organized by the Conservative Foreign & Commonwealth Council (CFCC) on Wednesday 26 September 2018 at Carlton Club, London.

The discussion was moderated by, British MP and CFCC Chairman Mr. Rehman Chishti who, in his opening speech, expressed pleasure over the attendance of all the participants, especially the ambassadors of the friendly countries on whom U.K attaches hope to strengthen its relations with their countries, soon before it  exits from the EU.

Then, MP Chishti paved the way for Former Secretary of State for International Development Priti Patel to deliver her speech in which she discussed Britain’s foreign trade and cooperation opportunities after Brexit.

She cited the Kingdom of Bahrain as an example of successful cooperation partner that could be taken as a model in Britain's future relations.

MP Patel said she believed that a successful exit from the EU would have a positive impact on Britain's future to become a global economic center as it should be, with free economic and trade policies.

She said that, through her previous as  Former Secretary of State for International Development, she believes that the world needs to strengthen international cooperation and British investment in the least developed countries, which will have a positive return for all and the state should support and encourage investors.

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Kingdom was the first speaker, who, in his speech, referred to the historical relations between Bahrain and Britain as allies.

He pointed out the importance of the existing cooperation in all fields, including on the diplomatic, political, security, social and economic levels, stressing that the departure of Britain from the European Union early next year, is hopefully going to make it more open to the world, especially to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) affirming, at the same time, the existence of a set of other common priorities.

The ambassador affirmed that Bahrain will strengthen its existing cooperation with the UK at all levels after Britain's exit from the European Union.

He expressed optimism for a new era of bilateral trade and investment between the two countries, which should be taken as a new opportunity for continued cooperation, especially with Bahrain's long experience in this field in its capacity as one of the first countries in the region to have signed the FTA with the United States in 2006.

He subsequently hoped that the Kingdom will take advantage of the post-Brexit opportunity to sign a similar trade agreement with the United Kingdom.

The ambassador said bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries is worth more than half a billion dollars which could be doubled as Bahraini public and private sectors are embarking on the implementation of investment and development projects worth more than $ 32 billion.

At the end of his speech, the Ambassador pointed out that more than ten thousand British citizens are living in the Kingdom of Bahrain and witnessing the quality of life, the atmosphere, the unique global diversity, and the true warmth and friendship that characterize Bahrain and its people.

Also present at the discussion were the following accredited ambassadors to the United Kingdom Ambassador of the Republic of Peru Susana de la Puente-Wiese, Ambassador of Portugal, Manuel Lobo, Swiss Ambassador  Alexandre Fasel, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania Qirjako Qirko and a large number of interested researchers, academics, Economists and journalists.

Most of the topics focused on the British future foreign relations after Brexit and its impact on the British economy and political life.

The Participants also pointed to the importance for Britain to enhance trade cooperation with the friendly countries and seek to sign as many free trade agreements as possible to reinforce its international presence.