Public Affairs Events
American Chamber Seminar and Presentation on the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreemen
The American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain (Amcham) organized a seminar and presentation on the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday, September 14, at the Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel. Key-note speakers at the seminar were U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Ms. Holly Vineyard, and Chairman of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Head of the FTA Implementation Committee, Dr. Essam Fakhro.
Ms. Vineyard told the gathering, which included Amcham members, members of the FTA Implementation Committee, and representatives from the local business community, that she came to Bahrain to focus attention on the FTA, which came into effect on August 1, and to discuss ways to assist the Bahraini government and Bahraini businesses in fully benefiting from the FTA. She emphasized that tariffs on all industrial and consumer goods are now zero, offering great opportunities for increased trade and investment. “Doors are open, she said. "The question is how many people go through that door,” stressing that both the American and Bahraini business sectors are encouraged to take the initiative to benefit from the agreement.
Dr. Fakhro, in his remarks, highlighted the steps that the government, the FTA Implementation Committee, and the Economic Development Board (EDB) are taking to maximum the success of the agreement and facilitate communications between Bahraini and U.S. businesses. He stressed that the Committee is creating mechanisms to provide Bahraini business representatives with the information they need to benefit from the FTA, and looked forward to increased business between the U.S. and Bahrain, including U.S.-Bahrain joint ventures.
FTA Implementation Committee Ms. Maysoon Sabkar provided a powerpoint presentation on the Bahrain economy, and the trade and investment climate in Bahrain. The meeting was chaired by Amcham Vice President Adel Safar. Also attending and answering questions were U.S. Ambassador William T. Monroe and EDB Deputy Chief Executive Dr. Zakariya Hejris.