India, Bahrain to sign labour deal

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Dubai, Oct 20 (PTI): Seeking to streamline the labour movement to Bahrain, India will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on manpower with the gulf nation.
The decision was conveyed by Labour Minister Majeed Al Alawi to visiting Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi during a meeting Thursday.
India had already signed such MoUs with the UAE and Kuwait.
Ravi invited Al Alawi to visit India.
"I have accepted the Indian minister's invitation and agreed to sign the MoU in New Delhi very soon," Al Alawi was quoted as saying.
The MoU will help streamline the labour movement from India to Bahrain, said Ravi, adding it will also make the labour relations between both countries very smooth and transparent.
Ravi praised Bahrain's decision to do away with the sponsorship system and strengthen its labour reforms programmes through the Labour Market Regulatory Authority.
Welcoming the visiting Indian minister, Al Alawi said Bahrain was counting on India's co-operation to build a mutually beneficial relationship.
"The visit of the Indian minister will strengthen the bilateral relationship," he added.
Ravi also briefed Al Alawi on various investment opportunities available in India.
"Bahrain is the second home to a large number of Indian nationals," he noted. The labour reforms initiated by Crown Prince and BDF Commander-in-Chief Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa will have benefits for both Bahrain and India.
"India historically enjoyed a very close relationship with the Arab countries. There was a need to strengthen these long standing relations," Ravi added.
He said that India looked at Bahrain as a partner and there were more opportunities in India for investments.
Earlier, Ravi met the Bahrain Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, where the premier appreciated the role of the Indians in various developmental projects in Bahrain, the Bahrain news agency reported.
Praising the close ties with India, mainly in economic sectors, Shaikh Khalifa expressed keenness for further cooperation with India.
"The two leaders also reviewed the latest international developments and topics of mutual interest," the agency said.