Bahrain's Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, senior officials and leading businessmen
Thiruvananthapuram/Manama: Bahrain is willing to increase its ties with Kerala in various sectors, Bahrain's Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa informed visiting Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
A statement issued by the office of Vijayan on Thursday night said that the Chief Minister also met with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa who informed Vijayan that the Gulf nation has close ties with Malayalees.
The Crown Prince conveyed that they wish to have closer ties in sectors like culture, education, IT and health and for that a special fund would be set up.
Vijayan mooted the idea of setting up a bi-lateral Chamber of Commerce and also extended an invite to the rulers of the island nation to visit Kerala.
Vijayan reached Bahrain on Wednesday and was accompanied by Keralite businessmen M A Yusuf Ali and Ravi Pillai besides his special secretary and senior bureaucrat Nalini Netto amongst others during the meeting.
This was Vijayan's first visit to Bahrain after taking over as Chief Minister last May.
He is accompanied by his wife also.
Bahrain Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, took part, in the presence of Pinarayi Vijayan, in Kerala Club celebration of its 70th Anniversary since it was first established in Bahrain.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs presented his congratulations on this occasion, hailing the role played by Kerala Club in Bahrain over a long history and wishing those in charge of it s affairs every success and good luck.
He also emphasized the depth of the ever-progressing relations in all fields between Bahrain and India and praised the role of the Indian community in the development and boost of Bahrain. The celebration has featured many activities depicting the artistic heritage of India’s state of Kerala.
