Manama, Dec. 13 (BNA): Participants in the first Bahrain Coffee Festival said the event provided a high-quality platform to promote coffee culture in the Kingdom and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the specialty coffee sector, amid strong local, regional and international participation.

Speaking to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), participants said the festival’s strong public turnout and professional organisation brought together Bahraini brands with regional and global companies, creating opportunities for exposure, cooperation and business growth.

Zuhair Altmani said the festival allowed companies to present specialty coffee experiences and strengthened positive competition, while opening space for new concepts such as franchising and interactive engagement with consumers. He noted that the presence of suppliers and specialised companies provided a comprehensive view of the sector.

Hassan Yousif said the festival marked a long-awaited opportunity to showcase Bahraini roasters and demonstrate their ability to compete regionally and internationally, adding that the first edition met expectations across the sector.

Ahmed Al Masri from UAE-based Beans said Bahrain represents a promising market for specialty coffee, noting that the festival enabled direct communication with cafés and supported the building of new partnerships, supported by a knowledgeable consumer base.

Yousif Yaqoob said the festival offered an effective platform to introduce coffee products and equipment directly to visitors, encouraging entrepreneurs to explore expansion and cooperation opportunities.

Mohammed Al Mahroos said the event allowed his institution to present Gulf-oriented Arabic coffee blends to a wide audience, noting strong demand and engagement from visitors across the region.

Ayman Saad highlighted the opportunity to showcase rare Yemeni coffee in its original quality, saying the festival supported visibility and future partnerships, while commending the advanced level of Bahraini projects.

Ali Ibrahim said the festival provided an ideal space to display espresso machines and home and office solutions, enabling direct engagement with café owners and specialists, while enhancing knowledge exchange between local and international companies.

Abdulrahman Sharif said the festival delivered a comprehensive experience for coffee enthusiasts and entrepreneurs, noting that the level of organisation facilitated participation and reflected growing awareness of coffee culture in Bahrain.

M.A.