First Israeli business delegation travels to Bahrain
Adiv Baruch, chairman of the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute, said that the Bahraini market created opportunities for Israel throughout the Arab world.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFFrom Left: Aryeh Lightstone, senior adviser to US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, Adiv Baruch, Chairman of the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute, Bahrain’s Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Zayed bin Rashid al-Zayani, Bank Hapoalim CEO Dov Kotler and Israel Manufactur(photo credit: Courtesy)Bank Hapoalim CEO Dov Kotler led a delegation to Bahrain on Tuesday, marking the first Israeli business group to visit the kingdom since normalization was announced last month.The visit was overseen by Aryeh Lightstone, senior adviser to US Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman and the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute. Other members included Harel Insurance CEO Michel Siboni and Israel Manufacturers Association president Ron Tomer. The group met on Wednesday with Bahrain’s Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani.This was the first Israeli business group to visit Bahrain. Last week, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani visited Jerusalem for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.“Relations with Bahrain are an amazing opportunity for Israeli businesses with an emphasis on fintech,” Kotler said. “This is a continuation of Bank Hapoalim’s efforts to open new business opportunities for our clients throughout the region.”Adiv Baruch, chairman of the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute, who was also part of the delegation, said that the Bahraini market created opportunities for Israel throughout the Arab world.“Building trust during our meetings here on the first business delegation is the beginning of a long-term relationship for all exporters,” he said.
