HIS Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, began an official visit to India last night. He is heading a delegation of more than 40 officials and business representatives including Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan, Transportation Minister and Economic Development Board (EDB) acting chief executive Kamal Ahmed, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Dr Esam Fakhro, Bahrain Businesswomen's Association president Mona Almoayyed and borad member Ahlam Janahim, LuLu Group managing director Yusuffali M A and Dadabhai Group chairman Mohammed Dadabhai.

The Crown Prince previously visited India in 2007, when he officially opened the Bahrain Embassy in New Delhi.

Mr Yusuffali said he expected the visit to open new markets and attract investors to Bahrain, while strengthening Bahrain and India's bilateral, political and trade relations.

"This is no doubt an historic visit from an economic point of view and there is certainly going to be lot of Indian investment coming to Bahrain," he told the GDN.

"Bahrain provides the right atmosphere and good environment for business investment."

He said his own experience of the Bahrain market proved there was room for growth.

"We started with four stores in Bahrain and now construction work is in process for our fifth store," he said.

"I am an example for other people to know and understand what Bahrain has to offer and give them assurance and confidence."