Manama, Dec. 13 (BNA): Visitors to the first Bahrain Coffee Festival said the event provided a valuable platform to explore the speciality coffee industry and highlighted the growing strength of local coffee projects alongside international brands.

 Speaking to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), attendees said the diversity of participating cafés, roasters and suppliers enhanced the visitor experience and showcased the latest products, equipment and innovations in the sector. They noted that the festival offered clear insight into the full coffee value chain and created opportunities for learning, networking and potential partnerships.

 Visitors also highlighted the strong presence of Bahraini youth-led projects, saying local brands demonstrated competitiveness, creativity and professional standards comparable to global names, reflecting the sector’s development in the Kingdom.

 Several attendees commended the organisation of the festival and its specialised competitions, which they said helped showcase Bahraini talent in brewing, roasting and tasting, while giving aspiring entrepreneurs a clearer understanding of market needs and business models.

 The first Bahrain Coffee Festival, held at Exhibition World Bahrain, attracted strong public turnout and featured more than 100 local, regional and international coffee brands, with dedicated areas for cafés, roasters, suppliers and equipment companies, supporting youth initiatives in the speciality coffee sector.

 M.A.