Industry and Commerce Minister Dr. Hassan Fakhro will launch Indian jewellery chain, Malabar Gold's operations in the Kingdom today.
The opening ceremony at the Gold City in Manama will be held in the presence of Malayalam film superstar and Malabar Gold Brand Ambassador Mohanlal. The first sale at the BD1 million outlet will be conducted by business tycoon and Malabar Gold director Dr. Ravi Pillai.
The ceremony will also be attended by Indian Ambassador Dr. George Joseph and Commerce Undersecretary Dr. Abdullah Mansoor.
MP Ahmed, Chairman of Malabar Gold, which is the flagship division of Indian business conglomerate Malabar Group of Companies, said his group was planning a total investment of $25m in Bahrain. It has plans to open three more retail outlets soon.
The group, which already has a presence in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman, said it would open stores in Qatar and Kuwait close on the heels of its Bahrain foray.
Plans were also afoot to set up a jewellery manufacturing unit in Bahrain along with a wholesale distribution centre to cater to the group's growing regional operations, said Ahmed.
"We are relying on the fact that there is an established jewellery manufacturing industry here and intend to employ qualified Bahraini nationals in our operations here, including manufacturing and retail sales."
Discussions were on with a local training institute to train Bahraini nationals in jewellery designing and retail management.
"We also see an opportunity for marketing Bahraini designs in India," Ahmed added.
Coinciding with the opening of the Bahrain outlet, Malabar Gold is unveiling an Arabian theme brand.
© Bahrain Tribune 2010
