:London sees Bahrain as gateway for Gulf states' arms market

):London sees Bahrain as gateway for Gulf states' arms market
GeoStrategy direct w/e 12-Feb-14
Britain has deemed Bahrain a gateway for arms exports to the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Officials said the London government has been working to form a partnership with Bahrain in aerospace and defense projects. They said British companies were also examining the prospect of establishing a presence in Bahrain to serve the Gulf region.
"I am also delighted that a number of UK companies across the military and civil sectors have identified Bahrain as an important market in which to do business," British Defense Secretary Philip Hammond said. "The significant UK presence is a reflection of the value we place on our relationship."
In a briefing to the Manama-based Gulf Daily News, Hammond cited British efforts to export the Eurofighter Typhoon to Bahrain. The defense official said Britain was also transferring technology and expertise in dual-use areas, including digital mapping.
"It's in areas such as these where we can leverage the UK's technological and institutional advantages and help develop collaborations in Bahrain," Hammond said.
Britain has sold a range of military assets to Bahrain. Over the last five years, the assets included the Hawk jet trainer, which flew at the Bahrain International Air Show in mid-January.
"We will continue to encourage UK companies to network and to identify suitable business opportunities and prospects for joint industrial and technological cooperation across the region, and with Bahrain in particular, as we enter the third century of our deep and enduring relationship," Richard Paniguian, head of the UK Trade and Investment Defense and Security Organisation, said.
Officials said Bahrain expected a huge increase in foreign investment by the end of the decade. They said a leading investment target would be the growing aerospace sector.
"We are expecting a huge amount of investment in the aviation sector over the next four or five years," Bahraini Transport Minister Kamal Ahmed said.