The General Organisation of Sea Ports (GOP), in its role as regulator of Bahrain’s maritime affairs and custodian of the state-of-the-art Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP), arranged and hosted a meeting to formulate a collective strategy aimed at enhancing Bahrain’s position as an international cruise liner hub.

The meeting was attended by several senior government officials, relevant parties and organisations from both the public and private sector and maritime executives, who discussed various means to achieve this common goal. Topics covered included the reduction of the charges levied on the cruise ships and provision of high quality services.

In addition, the GOP also outlined the need to initiate new and innovative ways and means by which the different stakeholders can contribute. The GOP as part of its strategic plan would play a central role as coordinator between all concerned stakeholders to bring this initiative to fruition.

Mr Hassan Ali Al Majed, Director General of GOP commenting on the announcement said: “At GOP, our strategic plans are to promote Bahrain’s ports as a preferred destination to the cruise liners around the world. Developing and improving the quality of services is a very important aspect which will boost tourism revenues by attracting more tourists and visitors and improve the national economy as a whole. The cruiseliner industry is an emerging industry which we will focus on along with stakeholders and relevant parties in the public and private sector to enhance Bahrains status as a preferred destination on a regional and international level.”

The GOP is taking the leading role in this new initiative taking control as the coordinator and the main link between all the stakeholders involved in order to develop Bahrain’s cruise industry as part of the ongoing efforts to bolster and diversify the national economy.