Bahrain investors grapple with lack of policy info

 There is good support from the Indian government for Bahrain investors to invest in India. However, lack of knowledge on India's industrial policies and programmes is the biggest barrier for investors from Bahrain, said Esam Abdulla Fakhro, chairman, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday.

Many investors don't appear to have proper knowledge on India's industrial policies and this is a big hurdle for them while investing in India, he added.

Zero per cent tax for setting up an industry, rising spending and gross domestic product (GDP) among Bahrain population, social tolerance, free land for lease and other incentives will benefit foreign investors, especially investors from India, Fakhro said.

Fakhro was speaking at a media round table on India-Bahrain Trade and Economic Relationships held in Bangalore. “Bahrain is planing to expand its investment in areas such as food, technology, tourism, medical and education in India and is getting good response from the concerned authorities and government,” Mohammed A Dadabhai, Chairman of the Bahrain-based Dadabhai Group said. Bilateral trade between India and Bahrain touched $1.7 billion in 2011, according to the IMF.

A large number of Indian businesses have established operations in Bahrain to access the wider Gulf market, which is now worth $1.5 trillion and is set to reach $2 trillion by 2020.