Kazakhstan and Bahrain are stepping up practical cooperation across several key areas, including transport, tourism, investment and humanitarian dialogue. Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Saudi Arabia and concurrently to the Kingdom of Bahrain Madiyar Menilbekov held a series of bilateral meetings with senior Bahraini officials during a working visit to Manama, DKNews.kz reports.
As part of the visit, the Kazakh diplomat met with Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance, Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Tourism Fatima Al Sairafi, Director General of Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Abdulla bin Ali Al Khalifa, as well as Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry Samir Nass.
Medal from the President and dialogue between civilizations
During talks with Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Madiyar Menilbekov, on behalf of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, presented the Medal of Honour of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. The award recognized the Bahraini official’s significant contribution to the development of interfaith dialogue and the promotion of peaceful coexistence.
The sides also discussed ways to further strengthen interconfessional and intercivilizational dialogue, an area where Kazakhstan has long played an active international role. In addition, attention was paid to cooperation in the transport sector, including the potential opening of direct flights between Kazakhstan and Bahrain, which could give a new boost to business and tourism ties.
Tourism, business and investment in focus
During a separate meeting with Minister of Tourism Fatima Al Sairafi, the Kazakh ambassador highlighted Kazakhstan’s growing tourism potential, including nature-based, cultural and business tourism. The two sides exchanged views on expanding bilateral cooperation and launching joint initiatives that could attract new tourist flows between the two countries.
Political coordination was the main topic of discussions with Shaikh Abdulla bin Ali Al Khalifa, Director General of Bilateral Relations at Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The talks focused on strengthening political dialogue, preparing upcoming high-level contacts, and continuing cooperation within international organizations.
Economic cooperation featured prominently in the meeting with Samir Nass, Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The sides discussed ways to deepen trade and economic ties, establish direct contacts between business communities, and expand investment cooperation. The Kazakh side also presented information on ongoing economic reforms in Kazakhstan aimed at creating favorable conditions for foreign investors and supporting business development.
Toward deeper partnership
Following the series of meetings, both sides confirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Bahrain, based on friendship, mutual understanding and a pragmatic approach. The discussions in Manama outlined clear directions for expanding cooperation in transport, tourism, investment and humanitarian engagement.
