Bahrain second GCC country to join World Logistics Passport

The World Logistics Passport (WLP) has signed a MoU with the Bahraini Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, bringing another GCC member state into the Dubai-administered global freight loyalty programme as a Gateway participant, thereby enhancing the Kingdom of Bahrain’s access to global markets and offering businesses direct benefits.

With Bahrain’s exports to the UAE’s increasing by almost a three-fold between 2016 and 2019, and 30% of the country’s total exports landing on Emirati shores in 2019, the new agreement ensures that Bahraini traders and businesses are well placed to maximise the benefits associated being a WLP Gateway.

Direct benefits of the deal include fast-tracking of cargo movement, reducing administrative costs, advancing cargo information, and facilitating trade across borders.

The Bahraini Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications will act as a coordinating Partner, bringing traders and freight forwarders onboard the WLP programme.

The MoU was signed by Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, Bahrain's Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, and Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai Ports, Customs and Freezone Corporation (PCFC), which owns and runs the WLP program globally.

After the signing ceremony, Kamal Mohammed said: "We are proud to be part of the WLP and to offer our business community the opportunities that come with this agreement, including facilitated trade to the vast network of WLP partners."

"Bahrain has long been known for its business- friendly environment and transparent regulations and our integrated logistics industry is one of the areas which we believe offers true value to businesses. This new agreement will further enhance this offering and we are confident that the private sector will leverage this opportunity," he stated.

Sultan bin Sulayem said the new agreement between the WLP and Bahrain represented an increased commitment to further deepen close trading ties with one another, and with the world.

"And as Bahraini businesses seek to expand their customer base and grow new revenue streams, the WLP will also serve to provide them with smoothed trade flows and new market opportunities through the program’s global footprint," he stated.

Beyond deepening the close trading relations between the two GCC countries, WLP participation also extends Bahrain’s access to global trade routes, providing increased international market opportunities for the country’s $13.2 billion worth of exports and supporting local companies to generate high-quality domestic employment opportunities.

A key benefit of the WLP is access to its global network, with membership and easier market access to countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, including Brazil, South Africa and India.

In addition, participation in the WLP as a Gateway will offer Bahraini traders and freight forwarders the opportunity to access a global network of benefits for more cost-effective and efficient cargo trade via the WLP Hub in Dubai, where WLP Partners include Emirates SkyCargo, dnata, DP World and Trakhees.

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