Marking the official visit of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to Cairo on Tuesday, the joint Bahraini-Egyptian Business Forum has been held jointly organized by the Bahraini Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Egyptian Industries Federation along with the Bahraini Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), said the Bahraini news agency.

BCCI Chairman Khalid Abdulrahman Al-Moayyad said that the event is held in conformity with the directives of Bahrain's leadership to bolster economic partnership and cooperation with Egypt to counter the current economic challenges.

He said the trade exchange between Egypt and Bahrain rose from 320 million dollars in 2014 to 384 million in 2015 with a 20 percent increase, which reflected the strength of the two countries relations.

He added that the forum will be attended by leaders, leading businessmen and representatives of private sectors of the two countries. The forum will focus on ways to develop Bahraini-Egyptian business relations and overcoming obstacles hindering economic cooperation between the two sides. 

He pointed that the two sides will sign memorandums of understanding and agreements to boost business sector, establishing commercial enterprises and developing scientific research in the area of fertilizers.

He expressed optimism that the forum will attain the desired goals, and that several economic and investment partnerships will be sealed.

He noted that Bahraini investments in Egypt hit 1.7 billion dollars, as state of affairs that attests to the strength of bilateral relations.