Bahrain and the UK committed to a £1 billion ($1.3 billion) round of investments in Britain on Monday at a meeting between Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The agreement signed at Downing Street aims to take the historic ties between the two countries to new levels.
Prince Salman looked on as Bahrain's Finance Minister Shelikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa signed the agreement to establish a Strategic Investment and Collaboration Partnership, which is designed to unleash billions for the UK economy through Bahraini private-sector investment.
The country's sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat as well as Investcorp, GFH Financial Group and Osool Asset Management are expected to participate.
“The leaders welcomed the signing of a new Strategic Investment and Collaboration Partnership today between the UK and Bahrain,” Downing Street said.
“The agreement aims to facilitate additional investment of more than £1 billion into the UK, support the diversification of Bahrain’s economy and drive greater co-operation between our countries in clean technology, business services and manufacturing.
“The Prime Minister said the agreement marks the next chapter the historic and close relationship between the UK and Bahrain, which spans security, defence and trade.”
The two countries expect a free trade agreement to be signed this year between the UK and Gulf Co-operation Council nations, which could form the basis of more mutual investment accords.
Bahrain has been an ally of the UK since its inception in the 1970s and hosts a Royal Navy base at the head of the Arabian Gulf.
“The leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine, noting the threat to international stability and norms posed by Russia’s invasion, and agreed on the importance of a strong united stance in the face of Iran’s destabilising regional activity,” a statement from Mr Sunak's office said.
“The Prime Minister also welcomed progress on domestic reforms in Bahrain, particularly in relation to the judiciary and legal process, and looked forward to working closely with the Crown Prince on our shared priorities going forward.”
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The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
ENGLAND TEAM
England (15-1)
George Furbank; Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (capt), Elliot Daly; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Courtney Lawes; Charlie Ewels, Maro Itoje; Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Joe Marler
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, George Kruis, Lewis Ludlam, Willi Heinz, Ollie Devoto, Jonathan Joseph
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
