King Fahd Causeway reopens today to re-establish social and economic ties and activities between the two Kingdoms | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

King Fahd Causeway reopens today to re-establish social and economic ties and activities between the two Kingdoms | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

And more importantly, it offers a billion-dollar financial boost to the economy of both countries. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have had longstanding tourism and trade ties, with trade between the two countries growing 43 per cent during the third quarter of 2020. This new development will strengthen these ties even further. Following this development, the number of visitors from Saudi Arabia is set to gradually go back to normal levels while strictly following precautionary and preventative measures to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Prior to the pandemic, Bahrain welcomed about 11 million tourists with more than 88 per cent coming through the causeway. Although trade between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia has continued throughout the pandemic, tourism has been severely affected. But now that the causeway is opening, it will add up to $2.9 billion to Bahrain’s economy this year, based on average tourism spending in 2019, according to the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The King Fahd Causeway Authority (KFCA) chief executive officer, Emad Al Muhaisan, said that the associated authorities in both countries will apply the necessary rules and regulations to ensure the utmost safety, especially amid the pandemic. Permission to travel from Saudi Arabia will