St. Petersburg: The Kingdom of Bahrain has been named Guest of Honour at the 28th edition of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2025, scheduled to take place from 18 to 20 June. This recognition underscores Bahrain's developmental and economic accomplishments and highlights the enduring strength of its historical relations with the Russian Federation.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Bahrain's national pavilion at the forum will serve as a platform to showcase the Kingdom's investment opportunities, foster connections among business partners, and facilitate the exchange of expertise across various sectors. The pavilion will also highlight Bahrain's rich culture and heritage, alongside the tourism and investment prospects available in the Kingdom.
Bahrain, in collaboration with the Russian Federation, aims to further bilateral cooperation in key sectors such as energy, financial technology, logistics, and tourism through its participation. The forum is regarded as a leading global platform for dialogue among nations, corporations, business leaders, and experts, creating opportunities for enhanced economic collaboration. It underscores Bahrain's position as an attractive destination for international investment, supported by a business-friendly environment and government incentives for investors worldwide.
This year, the forum is being held under the theme, "Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World," with sessions addressing critical topics including digital transformation, climate change, and adaptation to global economic challenges. A dedicated session will discuss the diplomatic relations between Bahrain and the Russian Federation, which this year marks its 35th anniversary, exploring prospects for economic, investment, cultural, and commercial cooperation between the two countries.
The longstanding relations and robust cooperation between Bahrain and Russia continue to flourish across political, economic, military, security, cultural, scientific, and technological fields, supported by regular high-level visits. Notably, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa paid an official visit to Russia last year, resulting in the signing of seven agreements and memoranda of understanding in areas including diplomacy, healthcare, culture, education, transport, communications, and the environment, bringing the total number of bilateral agreements to 51.
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is recognized as one of the world's foremost economic events. The 2024 edition attracted 21,000 participants from 140 countries and witnessed the signing of 1,073 agreements, valued at over RUB 6.4 trillion, reaffirming its status as a pivotal platform for advancing international economic cooperation.