The Bahraini community headed by their Consul General Hamad Ali Ahmad Al-Binkhalil celebrated their country's 40th National Day at the consul general's residence here Saturday. Saudi officials, businessmen and media personnel were also present. Al-Binkhalil praised the strong ties between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. “The trade exchange between the two countries reached more than SR34 billion during 2009 and 2010. This shows rapid growth in mutual commercial flows,” he said. The National Day in Bahrain is celebrated over two days: Dec. 16 and Dec. 17. “We have two things to celebrate here, the commemoration of our independence and the crowning of our beloved King,” the consul general said. Dec. 16 marks Bahrain's independence from Britain in 1971 and Dec. 17 is the anniversary of King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa's ascension to the throne. “Since discovery of petroleum in 1932, oil production and refinery have dominated Bahrain's economy. Like its Gulf Arab neighbors, Bahrain has aimed for agricultural self-sufficiency and it now produces about 75 percent of the fruits and vegetables that its population consumes,” Al
