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RElationships between Bahrain and US business communities are set to be strengthened during a high-level visit to the kingdom's financial district next week.
Earlier this week it was announced that Bahrain is set to host a US/GCC summit aimed at providing practical information for investors considering deploying capital both in the US and in the GCC.
Now, in addition to the two day forum, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Economic Development Board of Bahrain, US Bahrain Businessmen Council and AmCham, under the patronage of Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Economic Development Board, have announced that a day of visiting exciting Bahrain financial and investment areas has been organised for the US delegates on Thursday, December 6, immediately following the US-GCC Investment Forum being held on December 4-5.
The one-day US-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement Delegation on a trade mission to Bahrain seeks to explore the "burgeoning business opportunities" under the US-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement in the kingdom by providing the delegates the opportunity to meet with the businesses in-country, as well as with senior government officials, to help build strategic business relationships between the US and Bahraini business communities.
Next Wednesday afternoon Khalid Al Zayani, president of AmCham Bahrain, will give an introduction to the days events as part of the US-GCC Forum schedule which will be followed by speakers from key Bahraini corporations such as the Bahrain Economic Development Board and the Bahrain Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Although the full itinerary is yet to be finalised it has been confirmed that a visit to the Bahrain Investors Centre (BIC) will be included.
The Bahrain Investors Centre was established to facilitate the business start-up process, from the initial application submission to the start of business operations, effectively offering a "one stop shop".
For businesses in the US wanting to build business relationship in Bahrain the process is simple and effective. All investors can direct their applications to a single point of contact through the various delivery channels provided at the BIC.
Major government entities involved in the licensing and approval process are either represented in the BIC or linked to its Commercial Registration System (CRS). In addition, private sector partners at the BIC provide vital services to investors, such as consultancy, finance, banking, and telecommunications.
Also to be included in the trade mission is a tour of Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) providing the US delegates with the chance to visit one of the most significant industrial success stories of the Middle East. Alba became the largest modern aluminium smelter in the world when it commissioned its newest reduction line, Line 5, in May 2005.
Over the years, the company has made major contributions to the social and economic development of Bahrain including the training of Bahrainis, so unleashing their potential and ensuring their ability to take a meaningful place in the national workforce. It has also aided protection of the environment, both within the smelter and across the island, utilising state-of-the-art technology to ensure maximum control of emissions and encouraged safety in the workplace and the provision of on-going practical and financial support to the people of Bahrain, be they employees, their families or the wider community.
