Indian multinational Electrosteel Castings has opened its $6.6 million warehouse in Bahrain.

It will serve as a one-stop solution for water projects for regional markets. Electrosteel is the world’s third largest producer of ductile iron (DI) pipes and ancillary products and India’s largest producer of DI pipes and a global supplier in more than 50 countries with nine subsidiary companies and distribution centres including in the US, the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the UAE.

The Economic Development Board (EDB) provided support and advice to Electrosteel throughout their registration and setting-up process.

“The business of distributing our products is very logistically demanding, and there is a high cost involved with transporting huge volumes of cargo,” Electrosteel director M K Jalan said at the opening.

“We chose Bahrain as a centre for our Northern Middle Eastern sales activities because of its strategic location at the heart of this market and its strong transport network and infrastructure that link Bahrain to other countries in the region.

“The laws and regulations of Bahrain are investor-friendly, and we are grateful to the EDB for all their help, which has greatly contributed to our business set-up.”

EDB chief executive Khalid Al Rumaihi said Electrosteel’s move reflected the growing investment by Indian firms in Bahrain, and the efforts being made by these companies to take advantage of the growing demand within the larger region.

“Electrosteel has already supplied pipes, fittings, valves, and other accessories to Bahrain – most notably for the Water Transmission Development Project of the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) completed last year,” he said.