Bahrain is set to host the inaugural Made in the Gulf 2026 Forum and Exhibition from October 6 to 8, marking a significant step toward enhancing industrial integration among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states. The event, held under the patronage of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, is part of a GCC-endorsed initiative designed to bolster the competitiveness of Gulf industries on the global stage.
The forum aims to support sustainable development and solidify the industrial sector’s role in economic diversification. Organizers emphasized the goal of creating a more competitive, resilient, and sustainable industrial system within the region, capable of adapting to the evolving global economic environment.
Scheduled to coincide with meetings of the GCC Industrial Cooperation Committee and the Trade Cooperation Committee, the event will bring together senior government officials, policymakers, chief executives, investors, and industry experts. The meetings, chaired by Bahrain’s Minister of Industry and Commerce Abdullah Fakhro, will also include participation from GCC industry and trade ministers and the GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi. This convergence is expected to form one of the largest industrial gatherings in the Gulf, focusing on expanding cooperation, strengthening industrial integration, and promoting high-quality investment opportunities across GCC countries.
The forum will combine a high-level strategic discussion platform with a specialized industrial exhibition. Key topics on the agenda include industrial policy frameworks, strategies for accessing global markets, supply chain resilience, regional industrial integration, financing mechanisms, green manufacturing, the development of smart factories, industrial infrastructure, and workforce development.
The exhibition will display the latest Gulf-made industrial products, technologies, and innovations. Alongside showcasing these advances, it will offer opportunities for investment promotion and innovation, as well as business-to-business meetings intended to foster new partnerships and attract strategic investments throughout the GCC.
Overall, the Made in the Gulf 2026 event represents a concerted effort to deepen economic and industrial ties within the GCC, encouraging sustainable growth and positioning Gulf industries to better compete on a global scale.