A panel discussion by the American Chamber of Commerce Bahrain (AmCham Bahrain) highlighting the benefits of the FTA between US and Bahrain which was held recently at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre. The FTA allows foreign investors in manufacturing units in Bahrain duty-free access to the US market, provided they add 35 per cent domestic content in the country. 

Bahraini manufactured goods which qualify under the agreement will afford buyers considerable cost savings in terms of import duty and hence will be more competitive.  Qays Hatim Zu’bi, AmCham Bahrain President said that while the FTA has certainly boosted trade between the US and Bahrain, it is widely felt that the agreement can be better utilised by more companies, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs). “AmCham is now looking to raise awareness and help SMEs better understand the process for using the FTA by connecting them to available resources both in Bahrain and the US,” he added.