Manama: Infracorp B.S.C (Closed) has recently signed an agreement with Azumi Limited, the award-winning global restaurant group, to open the first branch of ROKA, the contemporary Japanese robatayaki concept, in the Kingdom at Bahrain Harbour.

The partnership agreement was signed by Mr. Majed Al Khan, CEO of Infracorp, and Mr. Rainer Becker, Creator and Co-Founder of Azumi Ltd, in the presence of several representatives from both sides.

Becker, who is also the mastermind behind Zuma, the international contemporary Japanese restaurant brand, quickly recognised the huge popularity of robatayaki cuisine and launched Roka Charlotte Street, London, in 2004 shortly after Zuma.  Since then Roka has expanded to 8 permanent and one seasonal location including Dubai and Istanbul to name just a few.  Becker is widely known as being the first to bring the robata grill to Europe - the robata grill is a traditional Japanese cooking method inspired by fishermen cooking fish over charcoal on the boats of the Northern coastal waters of Japan and is at the heart of Roka.  The ROKA concept centers around an intimate yet effortless space to socialize around the robata (ro) that is combined with the ability to embrace the fire and energy (ka)

The agreement comes as part of Infracorp's continued efforts to expand its hospitality portfolio with prestigious international brands, in line with the Company's mission to be a major contributor of the development of the national economy and support vital economic sectors, particularly on the tourism sector and the growth of the hospitality sector in the Kingdom.

Commenting on this occasion, Mr. Majed Al Khan, CEO of Infracorp, said: “We are delighted to sign this partnership with a regional leader in the hospitality sector, and host one of the most renowned Japanese restaurants in the region and the world at Bahrain Harbour. The agreement is in line with our vision to be the most versatile and prestigious hospitality destination in the Kingdom in the near future.”

For his part Mr Rainer Becker commented: “We are delighted to join forces with Infracorp and launch Roka in the Kingdom.  We are confident that the restaurant will complement the already thriving market and will have great success in years to come.”

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About Infracorp:

Infracorp B.S.C., is a company specialised in investing in the infrastructure and sustainability development sector, with a capital of USD 1.1 billion. Infracorp manages a portfolio of nearly USD 3 billion in infrastructure assets, including a 250 million square feet land bank in the GCC, North Africa and South Asia, which is earmarked for sustainable economic and social infrastructure. Infracorp’s sustainability strategy is designed to generate strong long-term returns for investors through proactive management of ESG risks, and by embracing opportunities for value creation in the sustainable investment ecosystem.

The Company focuses on investments in developing communities and investing in logistics and technologies that support sustainability and renewables, as well as social infrastructure assets across the education and healthcare sectors.

For more information about Infracorp, visit www.infracorp.bh

About Azumi Ltd:

Azumi Limited is an award-winning global restaurant business with proven brands offering a contemporary dining in key cosmopolitan locations. Created by Rainer Becker, and co-founded with Arjun Waney, Azumi’s journey began with the opening of Zuma London in 2002. This was quickly followed by ROKA London in 2004. There are now 21 Zuma’s and 9 ROKAs across the globe with further restaurants in the pipeline. In addition to the Zuma and ROKA Japanese concepts, Oblix, was opened in The Shard in 2013. ETARU was launched in Florida in 2017 and offers the East coast of the USA a take on the ROKA concept under a different guise. INKO NITO, an approachable unconventional Japanese robatayaki, followed in 2018 with a location in Soho London.

About ROKA:

Following the enormous success of Zuma London, Rainer Becker quickly recognised the huge popularity of robatayaki cuisine and opened ROKA Charlotte Street in 2004. The ROKA Group quickly expanded and now has a portfolio of restaurants in the most sought -after locations across London.  The principle cuisine comes from the Robata grill. Located amid diners the grill forms an integral design element of all the restaurants but more than being a stunning feature, the robata is truly the heart of ROKA. The current ROKA portfolio includes the following restaurants (in order of them opening): London Charlotte Street and Shochu Lounge (2004), London Canary Wharf (2009), London Mayfair (2014), London Aldwych (2014), Dubai Business Bay (2020), Midtown Riyadh (2021), Mallorca Spain pop-up (2021), Galataport Istanbul (2022) and The Avenues Kuwait (2022). For more information visit www.rokarestaurant.com