Ambassador discusses issues of significance with Bahrain’s Energy and Health Ministers

Minister of Energy and In-charge of Oil and Gas and Electricity and Water of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr. Abdul-Hussain Ali Mirza and Ambassador of Sri Lanka Dr A. Saj U. Mendis

Ambassador Dr. Saj Mendis and Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Faeqa Bint Saeed Al-Saleh

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr A. Saj U. Mendis, called on Minister of Energy, Dr. Abdul-Hussain Ali Mirza, who is also in-charge of Oil and Gas, and Electricity and Water in the Kingdom of Bahrain to broach and to discuss avenues of closer cooperation and collaboration in the sphere of oil and petroleum between the two countries. 

The Minister of Energy, particularly in Gulf countries such as in Bahrain, is considered as an extremely pivotal and seminal Ministry and Minister Dr. Mirza has been in the oil and petroleum sector for nearly five decades with expansive experience and exposure. The oil and petroleum production is one of the largest components of the GDP of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the rapid reduction of the price of oil, in the international market, has reduced the income from oil and petroleum, according to Minister of Energy, Dr. Ali Mirza. 

He further stated that the diminishing prices of oil would not necessarily stimulate and boost the economies of countries, which are importing oil and petroleum. Ambassador Dr. Mendis stated that Sri Lanka expends almost 1/3 of the import bill on oil and petroleum products.

The global production of oil is approximately 98 million barrels of oil per day (bpd). The 13-member OPEC produces aproximately 37 million bpd. The largest producer is the neighbouring country of Bahrain, which is Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia produces over 10 million bpd. 

Minister Dr. Mirza and Ambassador Dr. Mendis both agreed that proactive cooperation and collaboration between oil producing/exporting countries and oil importing countries, such as Sri Lanka, are imperative and vital at this juncture in order to have healthy global economic growth. 

Minister Dr. Mirza also stated that, after over three decades, the price of oil at gas/petrol stations in Bahrain has been raised by over 50% in order to meet the much needed liquidity. Both the Minister and Ambassador agreed that the forthcoming World Economic Forum in Davos in Switzerland would be overwhelmed by the dwindling prices of oil and the impingment on the global economy. Ambassador Dr. Mendis requested more cooperation, particularly, in the context of sharing of technical expertise and skilled employment opportunities be extended to Sri Lanka.

During the meeting between the Minister of Health, Faeqa bint Saeed Al Saleh, and Ambassador Dr. Saj Mendis discussed the strategies and courses of action to enhance the medical services, in all spheres and disciplines, in both the countries. Minister Al Saleh stated that the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain is planning to get down qualified medical specialists in different and diverse disciplines and specialties to perform medical services and operations in Bahrain opposed to patients in Bahrain leaving to other countries seeking specialized medical attention and care. 

In this context, Ambassador Dr. Mendis stated that Sri Lanka has a large number of highly qualified and highly competent medical specialists and they could visit Bahrain and perform operations and extend medical services for a stipulated length of time. Minister too was receptive of this proposition and Ambassador Dr. Mendis also raised and broached the possibility of getting down Sri Lankan nurses and caregivers to work in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Minister added that Sri Lankan expatriate work force is considered to be competent, disciplined and committed and is much liked by potential and existing employers in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Both the Ministers of Energy and of Health stated that Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Bahrain have been maintaining highly constructive and affable bilateral relations for many decades and centuries. This was said by both the Ministers in the context that the formal diplomatic relations were established only in 1992. Both the Ministers were impressed and were optimistic of the courses of action the Government of Sri Lanka have implemented and executed in order to become a rapidly developing nation state in the near future, under the new Administration. 

Further, Ambassador Dr. Mendis expressed appreciation and gratitude to both the Ministers for extending a highly favourable milieu and ambiance for Sri Lankan expatriates to live and to work in the Kingdom of Bahrain.