Under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Isa bin Salman Educational Charitable Trust, today inaugurated the 2023 Bahrain International Garden Show (BIGS), themed “Water: Regenerating Life,” at Exhibition World Bahrain.

His Highness highlighted the importance of the BIGS as a leading gardening and agricultural platform in the region and noted the support the exhibition receives from both His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman noted the commitment of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King and the President of the Advisory Council of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD), to supporting the BIGS, which continues to promote and develop the Kingdom’s agricultural sector.

His Highness toured the exhibition and reiterated the importance of the BIGS in promoting investment opportunities in the agricultural sector. In this regard, His Highness commended the role played by institutions in developing the exhibition and highlighted the Kingdom’s extensive efforts in economic diversification and environmental conservation.

HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman awarded the Bahrain Garden Club competition winners, with Jalila Sayed Mahdi winning the HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Cup for receiving the most points in Residence Gardens and Dalal Sami Radhi winning the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa Cup for receiving the most points within the Flower and Vegetables category.

Fawaz Hamdan also won the HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Cup for the Best Exhibit in Professional Photography, while Esmat Ahmed Abdulla won the HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Cup for the Best Exhibit in Amateur Photography. Erics Sony won the HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Cup for Best Exhibit in Student Photography, and Bethan Robinson was awarded the HH Shaikha Haya bint Mohammed bin Salman Al Khalifa Cup for the Best Display of Exotic Plants.

The 2023 BIGS showcases more than 176 exhibitors, including a pavilion for the Bahraini farmers market.

Two exhibition spaces have been allocated for the winners of the Best Bahraini Farmer in the King Hamad Prize for Agricultural Development, in addition to other spaces which have been allocated for twelve Bahraini farmers to display local produce.

The “Khalasi’s Garden” pavilion will also return this year. Activities will include recreational games and educational and awareness workshops on water sustainability.

The exhibition, which opens its doors to the public from 9-12 March, will shed light on agricultural technologies that contribute to the development and sustainability of the Kingdom’s agricultural sector, in addition to providing a range of agricultural products, solutions, and innovations offered by local and foreign companies.