Washington, March 4 (BNA): The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Zayed bin Rashid Al-Zayani headed the Bahraini delegation in the US-Bahraini Business Forum organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Washington. The visit of His Royal Highness, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to the United States.
The ceremony was attended by US Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Don Greaves, Senior Vice President for Middle East Affairs and International Development at the American Chamber of Commerce, Khush Choksi, and US Ambassador to Bahrain Stephen Bode, in addition to other senior officials. officials.
Al-Zayani stressed during the meeting that the long-term Bahraini-US relations continue to create new opportunities for greater cooperation between the two countries. He noted that one of the main products of this cooperation is the recent establishment of the American Trade Zone (USTZ) in Bahrain, which provides easy access to the Kingdom and GCC markets.
The Minister participated in a panel discussion, along with the CEO of the Economic Development Board, Khalid Ibrahim Humaidan, entitled “The American Trade Area in Bahrain: Gateway to the Gulf.” During the discussion, the Secretary identified the US Trade Zone as an integral part of achieving the objectives of the Industrial Sector Strategy (2022-2026), and part of the Economic Recovery Plan.
The minister explained that the strategic location of the commercial area, near the airport, King Fahd Causeway and Khalifa bin Salman sea port, will ensure the efficient entry and movement of goods.
He stressed that this project will enhance economic cooperation between the two countries, at least in light of the existing free trade agreement between the Kingdom and the United States. The minister stressed that the project is the first of its kind at the level of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and adds to the Kingdom’s ambitions to be a regional investment center.
USTZ opened in February 2022 in Salman Industrial City. This followed discussions during the visit of His Highness the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister to the United States in 2019, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2021 to deepen economic, commercial and industrial cooperation between the two countries.
AOQ