HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) received in office in Riyadh HE Sheikh Humoud Bin Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahraini Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Nahla Nasser Alanbar, Private Executive Assistant to HRH the Chairman and Mr. Fahad Bin Saad Bin Nafel, Executive Assistant to HRH the Chairman.

The meeting began as the Bahraini Ambassador thanked Prince Alwaleed for giving him the opportunity to meet with him, relayed cordial regards from HM King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa King of Bahrain. During the meeting, the Ambassador handed His Highness a letter from HM King Hamad. Moreover, the Ambassador and the Prince discussed the warm friendship between their two countries and referred to a number of social and economic issues. The meeting touched upon the latest developments in the GCC, Arab and International countries. In conclusion, Prince Alwaleed asked the Ambassador to relay his cordial regards to HM King Hamad.

In April 2013, Prince Alwaleed received at Kingdom Resort HRH Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain and an accompanying delegation that included HE L.t Gen. Sheikh Rashed Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Interior and HE Sheikh Hamoud Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa. Moreover, Prince Alwaleed hosted a dinner in honor of Prince Salman at Kingdom resort.

Also in April 2013, Prince Alwaleed attended the Formula-1 Race with HM King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, HRH Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Prince Alwaleed was received at Bahrain International Airport by HE Sheikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Culture who also bid His Highness farewell at the end of the visit.

During the visit, King Hamad, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed and Prince Alwaleed attended a luncheon and the Formula-1 race that took place at the #Bahrain International Circuit. In conclusion, King Hamad thanked Prince Alwaleed for his response to the invitation.

In coordination with the Ministry of culture in Bahrain led by HE Sheikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Chairman of the board of Trustees of Shaikh Ebrahim Center for Culture & Research, Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation-Global (Registered in Lebanon), chaired by Prince Alwaleed sponsored the renovation of the House of the late Dr. Ghazi Al Gosaibi, in Manama to preserve his work and perpetuate his memorial.

In October 2013, Prince Alwaleed, Owner of Alarab news channel, approved appointing Qvest Media to design and build the complete production and broadcasting infrastructure at Alarab news channel location in Manama, Bahrain. Prince Alwaleed commented: “AlArab news channel will have the most advanced infrastructure in the Middle East.”

In 2012, Prince Alwaleed Chairman of Rotana Group visited the Kingdom of Bahrain. During Prince Alwaleed’s visit to Bahrain His Highness met with HRH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain.

In 2012, Prince Alwaleed received in his office in Riyadh HE Sheikh Fawaz Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s President of Information Affairs Authority (IAA), and an accompanying delegation. Moreover, Prince Alwaleed hosted a dinner in honor of his guest at Kingdom resort.

In 2012, HM King Hamad awarded Prince Alwaleed the “The Bahrain Medal of the First Order” the countries highest honorary medal.

Also in 2012, Prince Alwaleed was welcomed by King Hamad who hosted a dinner in honor of His Highness at the Bustan Palace in AlManama during HRH’s visit to Bahrain. Furthermore, while in Bahrain, Prince Alwaleed and HE Sheikh Fawaz Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, signed the agreement for the Rotana and Alarab Channel headquarters’ new location in Manama, Bahrain and held a Press conference.

Prince Alwaleed commented: “This is the strategic step for Rotana and Alarab news channel and a giant leap for media in the region.”

In 2012, Prince Alwaleed and the Crown Prince of Bahrain attended the inauguration of “Bahrain the Capital of Arab Culture 2012” under the patronage of King Hamad, at the National Museum of Bahrain. The inauguration was also attended by Sheikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, HE Sheikh Khaled Bin Ahmed AlKhalifa, Foreign Minister in Bahrain, government officials and dignitaries. Manama has been selected as the capital of Arab culture for 2012. This important cultural event is the result of years of continuous effort to preserve the cultural heritage and national knowledge, the preservation of national identity, promote cultural interaction and cultural exchange among Arab countries.

In 2011, Prince Alwaleed congratulated King Hamad, the government and the people of Bahrain for the national team gold medal victory in the 12th football championship of the Arab Games which concluded in Doha, Qatar. To mark the occasion, Prince Alwaleed presented $10,000 as a gift to each team member and stressed the importance of supporting sports and athletes in the GCC countries.

Prince Alwaleed visited the Kingdom of Bahrain early 2011, during the visit HRH met with King Hamad. The main purpose of the Prince’s visit was to affirm his confidence in the leadership of King Hamad and HRH Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, wishing Bahrain stability and prosperity. Moreover during the visit, Prince Alwaleed met with Dr. Essam Fakhro, Chairman of Bahrain’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and its members. In addition, a press conference was held where HRH addressed the media and the Chamber of Commerce members confirming his confidence in the leadership of the King and Crown Prince. The Prince also referred to the banks and companies that exist in Bahrain, and re-affirmed his investment presence in the country though KHC. Prince Alwaleed also expressed his readiness to further invest in the country. In turn, the head of the chamber and its members welcomed HRH’s visit and thanked him for his support of their local economy.

KHC’s presence in Bahrain is through its indirect investments in the banking sector through Citigroup which has been operating in Al Manama for the past 40 years, and in the hotels sector through Mövenpick hotel in Bahrain that is managed by Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts in which KHC owns a 33.3% stake. In addition, the Four Seasons hotel in Bahrain will be opening soon, managed by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in which KHC holds a 47.5% stake and is co-owned by Bill Gates’ Cascade in which the company also holds a 47.5% stake, and 5% of the Four Seasons is owned by Isadore Sharp, the Company’s Chairman.