HM King Hamad receives participants in BIAS 2016

Manama, Jan. 21 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received at Sakhir Palace today, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the participating delegations in Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) 2016 and senior officials. They are: - Yemeni Vice President and Prime Minister Khalid Mahfoudh Bahah. - Former Moroccan Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Isa. - Omani Defence Minister Badr bin Saud Al Busaidi. - Jordanian Transportation Minister Ayman Hatahet. - Qatari Transportation Minister Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti. - Moroccan Transportation and Equipment Minister Abdulaziz Al-Rabah. - British Minister of State for Defence Procurement Philip Dunne. - French Minister of State for Foreign Trade Mathias Fekel. - Russian First Deputy Premier Victor Zobkov. - The US Fifth Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan. - Kuwaiti Chief of Staff Lt. General Mohammed Khalid Al Khedher. - The UAE Chief of Staff Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Al Rumaithi. - Pakistani Chief of Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman. - Sudanese Air Force Commander Lt. General Essam Eddine Habib. - Commander of the Peninsula Shield Force Major General Hassan Hamza Al-Shehri. - Commander of the Lebanese Air Force Brigadier Ghassan Shahin. HM the King welcomed the guests of Bahrain from brotherly and friendly countries, thanking them for their participation in the 4th edition of the international exhibition. He stressed that the success of the show and the large-scale participation of major international aviation companies in it reflects Bahrain's high standing as a strategic location and a major host of such global events. He added that the show also mirrors Bahrain's interest in the development of the aviation and air navigation sector and its keenness to keep abreast of cutting edge technologies in this respect. HM the King underlined the importance of BIAS in shedding light on growth of the military and civil aviation industry and exchanging experiences in this regard. He took pride in Bahrain's civilisational and humanitarian achievements thanks to the Bahraini competencies, their creativity and competitiveness at the regional and international level. He stressed that Bahrain has been throughout its history the land of civilisations, religions and cultures as well as an oasis of peace and co-existence. HM the King commended the efforts made to ensure success of the exhibition, paying tribute to Personal Representative of HM the King and Head of the Supreme Organising Committee Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa as well as the committee members for their key role in this regard. HM the King held a luncheon in honour of the guests and senior officials.