Trade and Commerce
US Ambassador Hosts Reception to Celebrate Launch of US-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement
US Ambassador Mr. William T. Monroe hosted a reception in his residence in Saar on September 13 to celebrate the launch of the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which came into effect August 1, 2006. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce Ms. Holly Vineyard, visiting Bahrain to discuss the agreement, attended the reception. Attendees included senior government officials and prominent representatives from the business community.
Ambassador Monroe expressed his great pleasure that Bahrain is the first country in the Gulf to conclude a FTA with the United States. He stated his great confidence that the agreement will further strengthen our trade relations, noting that bilateral trade is already rising markedly this year. He lauded the government of Bahrain for their commitment to free trade and their efforts to negotiate the free trade agreement so quickly. He noted that the agreement has widespread support in the U.S. as demonstrated by the overwhelmingly strong support the FTA enjoyed in the U.S. Congress. Bahrain’s FTA received the largest congressional majority vote of any FTA that the U.S. has negotiated. He said he looks forward to working with the government of Bahrain and the Bahraini business community to take full advantage of the agreement and increase trade and investment in our two countries.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Vineyard also praised the government of Bahrain for its commitment to free trade and expanded trade relations. She hailed the initiative of the government of Bahrain in becoming the first country in the Gulf to successfully negotiate a free trade agreement. During her visit, she met with a wide range of government officials and Bahraini business representatives.