Manama, Sept. 2 — (BNA): A Bahraini business delegation is scheduled to visit Astana on Tuesday to discuss foodstuffs importation following the fruitful recent visit of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to Kazakhstan Republic.

The delegation will be headed by Bahrain Livestock Company (BLC)’s CEO Khalid Al-Amin and includes membership of the BLC’s general manager (GM) and three veterinarians from the Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture.

Al-Amin hailed His Majesty the King’s visits that opened vast vistas for fruitful commercial exchanges and economic cooperation between Bahrain and several countries worldwide thanks to the distinctive political relations between the Kingdom and these countries. He said that the diversification of sources of imports attest to the Kingdom’s keenness on diversification of alternative sources which could satisfy Bahraini consumers tastes and needs and ensure national food security in the short and medium term.

Al-Amin told “Akhbar Al-Khaleej” newspaper that the delegation would inspect farms and butcheries after a series of negotiations and messages had been exchanged regarding starting fresh mutton importation ahead of Eid Al-Adha. He praised Kazakhstan as one of the Islamic countries that slaughter sheep in compliance with Islamic Sharia.

He said that upon verification of information regarding proper safety and health procedures adopted in sheep rearing and slaughtering and compliance with Islamic Sharia, we shall sign an agreement during our upcoming visit with the relevant company in order to begin the importation process. (IY)

I.Y

BNA 0734 GMT 2014/09/02