Much more than Formula 1: Bahrain is “a loyal ally” of the West

Much more than Formula 1
Bahrain is “a loyal ally” of the West

By Céline Joufffrau and Andrea Sellmann
February 29, 2024, 9:30 a.m

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an important hub for trade and finance in the Middle East. It became rich through oil and famous through Formula 1. Above all, the country is of great geostrategic importance for the West. Where exactly is Bahrain?

The island state of Bahrain is located in the Persian Gulf, directly off the coast of Saudi Arabia. Economically, the country stands for oil and petrochemicals, i.e. chemical products that are produced based on oil and gas. Bahrain is also a major aluminum producer. It is well known to motorsport fans because of Formula 1, which is visiting the small desert kingdom again this weekend for its season opener.

For Clemens Oh, the German ambassador in Bahrain, is primarily concerned with its great geostrategic importance: for him, the country is “a very loyal ally that is clearly committed to international order, international law and peaceful conflict resolution,” said Hach in the podcast “Economy Worldwide”. This is currently also evident in the Red Sea: Islamist Houthi militias supported by Iran repeatedly attack international merchant ships that want to use the sea route through the Suez Canal. Bahrain is one of the supporters of Western countermeasures.

What does this support look like? How is Bahrain positioning itself? And what does that mean specifically for retail? This is the question that concerns the economic expert Dalia Samra-Rohte. She is keeping a close eye on the supply chain problem: On site, they are preparing for the fact that – unless the situation improves – “there will be delays in project business”. Some companies are already examining the legal framework in order to protect themselves from customers for delayed goods. Host Andrea Sellmann discusses these and many other topics with her guests Clemens Hach and Dalia Samra-Rohte in the new podcast episode.

Clemens Hach is the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Manama, the capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain. And Dalia Samra-Rohte is the German Business Delegate for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Yemen. She is on site in Saudi Arabia for the Foreign Chamber of Commerce and observes German-Bahrainian economic relations from Riyadh.