Bahrain will overcome manpower challenges in the oil and gas sector through robust training and development, the country's oil minister and chairman of the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA) has said.

Speaking at the opening of the Global Education and Training event in refining and petrochemicals, hosted by Get Energy at the Gulf Hotel in Bahrain, Dr Abdulhussain Mirza said the country will meet local employment challenges head on.

Addressing attendees and the Gulf Daily News, he said: "This unique event brings together the oil and gas industry and those who provide it with skills, expertise, education, and learning. I am sure the industry will be wiser after the two days of deliberations."

He added that the event provided a forum to examine the precise measures that are needed to ensure that the local workforce is provided with full oil and gas training.

In other recent developments, Dr Mirza told Gulf Daily News last month that negotiations with Iran concerning gas imports had reached a crucial stage.

It is expected that Bahrain will import as much as one billion cubic feet a day from the country.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development