Minister of Economy and Trade in the caretaker government, Amin Salam, along with the participating delegation at the preparatory meeting of the Economic and Social Council for the 33rd Arab Summit in Bahrain, held an extensive meeting with Bahraini Minister of Industry and Trade, Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro, and his accompanying delegation. Both sides affirmed the "strong bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Lebanon," highlighting the "importance of strengthening ways to expand cooperation mechanisms between them in all fields, especially in industrial, technological, commercial, investment, and tourism sectors, based on Bahrain's significant economic role in the banking and financial services sector."
Salam emphasized the "necessity of reopening Gulf markets to Lebanese products and restoring the normal flow of trade between Lebanon and the Kingdom of Bahrain, especially since the Gulf market is the largest importer of Lebanese products, particularly agricultural ones." He considered that "open and positive dialogue with Arab countries creates a beacon of hope among the Lebanese and their Arab brothers." Minister Salam presented his Bahraini counterpart with a commemorative gift, a model of a Phoenician ship, symbolizing maritime trade and openness as key Phoenician characteristics.
