Deputy Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, has stressed the importance of the integrated efforts being made to support achieving sustainable food security through effective partnership with the private sector, in order to ensure that local markets are supplied with basic needs.
The efforts are in line with the objectives of the comprehensive development process, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the priorities and policies of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, Shaikh Khalid said as he officially inaugurated the factory of the Bahrain Agricultural Foods Storage and Security (Bafco), in the presence of the Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Ahmed bin Salman Al-Musallam, ministers and officials.
Bafco factory, located at the Bahrain Business Incubator Centre (BBIC) in Hidd, specialises in producing and distributing food grains locally and exporting them internationally.
During the ceremony, Shaikh Khalid noted the interest of the private sector in its investments to enhance the various development fields, including the establishment of food factories, in a way that reflects the government ‘s support.
The Deputy Premier affirmed the government’s commitment to implementing policies aimed at increasing the levels of food security, diversifying and sustaining the supply chains, upgrading the national capabilities in the field of food industries and investing in them, as well as providing the necessary support for food security projects and stimulating the private sector to contribute to them.
Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla toured the facilities of the factory, and praised the advanced techniques and secure modern technology used across various production stages, wishing the factory officials every success.
Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber for Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Sameer Abdulla Nass, asserted that among the priorities of BCCI’s 30th session is to achieve the vision of the kingdom, under the leadership of HM King Hamad, and the follow-up of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, with regard to reaching food security, facing the challenges the world is witnessing in securing food and supply chains, and ensuring the flow of food by pumping more investments into the food industry sector.
He affirmed BCCI’s support for the efforts of Bafco, in particular, and the private sector, in general, to increase investments in food security projects.
Bafco Board of Directors Chairman, Khalid Ali Al-Ameen, expressed thanks and appreciation to the Deputy Prime Minister for patronising the opening of Bafco factory, embodying his strong belief for the need to exert more efforts to increase food production in a sustainable manner, improve the global supply chain, and achieve the goals set by the Kingdom, under the leadership of HM the King, and the support of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
He indicated that the food challenges faced by the world over the past years confirm the importance of maintaining the continuation of the flow of food around the world while preserving the security of food supply chains.
He added that the food industry today requires developing solutions to secure food at the local and regional levels, noting that Bafco factory, whose construction and operational costs are estimated at more than 12 million US dollars, represents an encouraging and important step towards more investments in the food sector.
He asserted that the factory will generate multiple investment opportunities, which will reflect positively on the kingdom’s sustainable economic development.
Source: Bahrain News Agency