bahrainthismonth.com | MAY 2025 UK IN BAHRAIN 20 Strengthening Enduring Bonds In an exclusive interview with Kristian Harrison, British Ambassador to Bahrain, His Excellency Alastair Long, reflects on two years in post, sharing insights into diplomacy, economic progress and cultural ties. Two years into your posting, how would you describe the current state of UK-Bahrain relations? The relationship remains in an incredibly strong place. We had a brilliant autumn of engagement, starting with His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Salman Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, visiting our Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Number 10 Downing Street. That was followed by a visit to Bahrain by our Foreign Secretary, a significant moment which underlined the depth of our ties. In November, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Majesty King Charles III came together for a fabulous dinner at Windsor Castle, in celebration of His Majesty King Hamad’s Silver Jubilee. Also in celebration of this occasion, the Duke of Edinburgh visited Bahrain during the Kingdom’s National Day celebrations. We also saw the UK join the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) alongside Bahrain and the United States at the Manama Dialogue, marking a new era of trilateral cooperation. It has been an incredible sequence of high-level engagements. I like to think McLaren winning the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship was another British-Bahraini achievement, combining excellence from both countries. What personal or professional achievements over the past year are you most proud of? I am particularly proud of the UK joining the C-SIPA agreement. It is a truly visionary instrument, created largely by Bahrain, which aims to bring together those committed to the rules-based international order. The UK cares deeply about supporting peace and security in this region, so it was a privilege to be invited to join by two of our closest partners. On a personal level, I find it very rewarding to be contributing to something with such a clear and important purpose. You have delivered several speeches on Bahrain’s economy recently. How do you view its current state, and how is the UK supporting its diversification efforts? There are many parallels between the UK and Bahrain as economies. Both are increasingly service-oriented, moving beyond hydrocarbons and embracing future industries such as digital technology. Bahrain has achieved remarkable success diversifying its economy, with financial services now making up the largest share of its GDP – mirroring the UK’s own structure. I am consistently impressed by the incredible Bahraini talent driving this transformation. The wider GCC region is growing rapidly, and Bahrain is well placed to benefit, with the region’s economy expected to double by 2050. The UK shares a similar vision, with a renewed focus on investing in future industries, clean energy and technology. How are British businesses responding to opportunities in Bahrain? British businesses are increasingly recognising the opportunities here. We are seeing steady growth in investment and trade, and with the Free Trade Agreement between the UK and GCC edging ever closer to completion, that momentum should only increase. I believe the agreement will send a strong signal to businesses that the Gulf region is an open and attractive market. Beyond goods and services, we are also focusing heavily on investment partnerships – encouraging each side to take a real stake in the other’s economic future. As a strong advocate for conservation and sustainability projects, have there been any tangible successes in these areas since your arrival? Conservation remains a passion of mine and an exciting area of collaboration between the UK and Bahrain. One recent initiative involved bringing three British agritech companies to partner with Bahraini farmers. Their innovations – including flexible solar panels for greenhouses, seed productivity enhancements and smart farming technologies – have already begun to bear fruit here.
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