Russia, Bahrain to develop bilateral tourism

MOSCOW. Feb 7 (Interfax) - Russia and Bahrain will develop bilateral tourism, Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova said following a meeting of the Russian-Bahraini Intergovernmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation.

"We discussed the prospects for work in various areas with our colleagues. Many people call Bahrain a jewel of the Arabian Peninsula. We will develop bilateral tourism so that both sides have the opportunity to see each other's heritage," Lyubimova, who headed the Russian delegation to the meeting, said on Telegram.

Later, the Russian Culture Ministry's press service quoted Lyubimova as saying at the meeting that "direct flights, which make vacations more accessible and comfortable, should be a mandatory element when developing bilateral tourism."

The commission addressed cooperation in science, education, industry, digital technologies, energy, the electric power industry, transport, the environment, and agriculture, and emphasized the climate agenda, she said.

Russian-Bahraini cooperation has particularly great potential in digital technologies and Industry 4.0, including the implementation of AI technologies, big data analytics, additive technologies and the industrial Internet of Things, the ministry said. "A project for a joint information and business center that will open in the Kingdom of Bahrain is being worked. It is planned that it will be implemented with the participation of the Russian Federal Center for Applied Development of Artificial Intelligence," it said.

"Russian agricultural exports to Bahrain grew 26.3% in value terms in 2023. Industrial products account for less than 10% in the structure of bilateral trade. We will intensify our work in this area," Lyubimova said.

A special cultural program will be prepared in 2025 to mark the 35th anniversary of Russian-Bahraini diplomatic relations, she said.