Türkiye’s Ambassador to Bahrain, HE Dr. Ayşe Hilal Sayan Koytak, speaks about the enduring partnership between the two nations and the promising avenues for deeper cooperation in trade, diplomacy, and culture.
How would you describe the current state of economic and trade relations between Türkiye and Bahrain and which sectors hold the greatest potential for growth?
The economic partnership between Türkiye and Bahrain is built on trust, mutual respect and a shared vision for sustainable growth. While our current trade volume is still modest compared to its true potential, the trajectory is positive and both sides are determined to deepen cooperation. What makes this relationship promising is the clear complementarity between Bahrain’s strategic location and financial openness and Türkiye’s diversified industrial base and competitive production capacity.
Construction materials and engineered products, agro-food and FMCG, renewables and energy efficiency, healthcare and health tourism partnerships, ICT/FinTech and e-government and defence and advanced manufacturing sub-contracting are promising areas for growth.
What opportunities exist for Bahraini investors in Türkiye and conversely how is Türkiye encouraging Turkish businesses to engage with Bahrain’s economy?
Investment relations between Türkiye and Bahrain are not only about numbers but about building long-term confidence and shared prosperity. We see a natural complementarity between Bahrain’s capital and financial expertise and Türkiye’s diversified industrial base and large domestic market. This creates a fertile ground for two-way investment flows.
Bahrain is actively working towards economic diversification under its Vision 2030 plan. How can Turkish expertise and industries contribute to this national agenda?
Bahrain’s Vision 2030 represents a forward-looking strategy that places diversification, sustainability and innovation at its core. Türkiye, with its strong industrial capacity, renewable energy know-how and dynamic private sector, is well-positioned to contribute to these objectives. We believe that Turkish companies can be not only suppliers but also long-term partners in Bahrain’s transformation story.
Turkish expertise will contribute to this agenda through industrial supply-chain partnerships, renewables and energy efficiency, food security and agro-processing, tourism, culture and healthcare as well as advanced manufacturing and defence offsets.
In which areas do you see the most promising avenues for deepening bilateral cooperation between Türkiye and Bahrain beyond trade and investment?
For more than half a century, our partnership with Bahrain has expanded across diverse fields such as politics, tourism, health, defence, education and culture. These achievements demonstrate not only the strength of our bilateral ties but also the determination of both countries to develop cooperation on multiple fronts. The close relations between our leaders, H.E. President Erdoğan and H.M. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, guide our way to elevate our partnership even further.
Steady progress has been achieved in healthcare. We appreciated Turkish-Bahraini cooperation on setting up an Oncology Centre in the domain of haematology, oncology and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation at King Hamad University. It is now operated by Turkish doctors whose work has been warmly appreciated by both Bahraini authorities and the people.
Among the many areas of collaboration, people-to-people interaction and tourism hold a special place. Türkiye continues to be the most preferred travel destination for Bahraini citizens. With the visa exemption granted to Bahrainis in December 2023, our people-to-people contacts have increased, strengthening mutual appreciation.
Turkish citizens in Bahrain are a real source of pride for us. They are known for their hard-working nature and harmonious way of living within Bahraini society. Many travel around the GCC but choose to settle in Bahrain because of the peace they find here. Bahrain has always welcomed people from all backgrounds, creating a vibrant and strong society built on cultural diversity.
Türkiye plays a significant role in regional geopolitics. How does Ankara view Bahrain’s role in fostering stability and dialogue in the Gulf and the wider Middle East?
Bahrain is the land of peace and stability and it gives importance to diplomacy and dialogue in the management of regional challenges. With our cooperation, I am sure we will together uphold peace and prosperity in our region.
Our region is the cradle of civilisations and despite the challenges we face, unity is the key to defeating any threats to our stability and well-being. Türkiye continues its efforts to promote peace and stability in our region and beyond.
For example, from day one, Türkiye has supported Syria’s efforts for peace, recovery and reconstruction. Thousands of Syrian babies were born in Türkiye and started their education there, building enduring social and cultural ties.
Another example is our diplomatic efforts between Ukraine and Russia. Since the very outset of the conflict, Türkiye has played a leading role in securing a just and sustainable peace. Since May, Türkiye has hosted three rounds of direct negotiations in Istanbul. Türkiye also helped bring the Black Sea Grain Initiative to life – a vital step for escalation management and food security during the crisis.
Looking ahead, Bahrain’s non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council for the 2026-2027 term, a candidacy supported by Türkiye, will provide a vital platform to address issues important to the Islamic world and the broader Middle East. We have no doubt that Bahrain will approach this responsibility with commitment and balance.
As Türkiye, we stand by our brotherly Gulf countries at all times and will continue to work together for regional stability.
What initiatives are underway to strengthen cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the peoples of Türkiye and Bahrain?
Culture remains one of the most subtle yet powerful instruments of diplomacy. In Bahrain, particularly among the younger generation, there is a genuine curiosity about and appreciation for Turkish culture and language. Turkish cuisine, art, natural landscapes and especially our TV series enjoy remarkable popularity.
Bahraini brothers and sisters travel to Türkiye frequently, mostly to İstanbul, Trabzon and the coastal cities such as Antalya. Yet no matter how many times one visits Türkiye, there is always something new to discover. I encourage tourists not to miss UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe, inscribed in 2025.
Are there any educational partnerships, scholarships or exchange programmes that could help bring young Turks and Bahrainis closer together?
Since 2017, under an agreement between the Yunus Emre Cultural Centre and the University of Bahrain, Turkish language courses have been offered at the University. Over the years, hundreds of students have taken part.
Türkiye is home to many top-ranked universities where the language of instruction is English and we would like to see more Bahraini youth in our universities. The Türkiye Scholarships programme is one of the world’s most comprehensive, offering stipends, health insurance, accommodation and vocational and academic opportunities. So far, 39 Bahraini students have benefited from it. We would be delighted to host more Bahraini youth in Türkiye – their second home – to pursue higher education and further strengthen our ties.
Both Türkiye and Bahrain value religious tolerance and cultural diversity. How do these shared values shape the bilateral relationship and soft power diplomacy between our countries?
Both Türkiye and Bahrain are lands of coexistence where diverse faiths and traditions thrive side by side. This shared heritage of tolerance is a source of pride. At a time when the world struggles with polarisation, we are showing that diversity is not a weakness but our greatest strength.
