The Consumer Protection Directorate at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced the signing of 3 service level agreements between the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the commercial sector cooperating in receiving and addressing consumer complaints from citizens and residents in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Shaikh Hamad binSalman Al Khalifa,Assistant Undersecretary for Domesticand ForeignTrade at the Ministry, confirmed that the signing of these agreementsis a part of the operational anddevelopment plan of the Consumer Protection Directorate,and follows the signing of 3 MoUs lastyear withLulu Hypermarket, Talabat, and Extra, which expanded this year to include: Ramez, Jahezand JustClean InternetServices.

The Assistant Undersecretaryfor Domesticand ForeignTrade addedthat the Consumer ProtectionDirectorate at the Ministry alwaysseeks toimprove the levelof performanceprovided to consumersto enhance the quality andefficiency of servicesby harnessingmodern technologies, and utilizing partnership with the commercial sector,as theagreement includes termsand conditionsunder which the two signatory partieswill provideservices to consumers,by settingthe foundationsand frameworkfor providinghigh-quality services inaccordance with LawNo. (35)of 2012on consumerprotection and itsexecutive regulations.

Moreover, he noted that this step aims to obtain a mutual agreement between the government sector and the commercial sector to ensure the provision of distinguished services to consumers by directing, resolving and addressing complaints received before the expiry of the period specified in the service level agreement, while defining responsibilities, duties and obligations of both parties, in addition to achieving common goals and enhancing mutual trust.

The Assistant Undersecretary also expressed his appreciation to all the shops that signed and cooperated with the Consumer Protection Directorate over the past years in resolving and addressing consumer complaints.

Within the framework of the official visit to Washington, a signing ceremony was held this morning on an agreement of understanding and cooperation on applying the fast-track system for technical examination of patents (PPH) with the US Patent Office. In the presence of H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, to represent the Bahraini side, and H.E. Kathy Vidal, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the Patent and Trademark Office, to represent the American side.

The Minister valued this step which drives the Kingdom of Bahrain towards further development of the patents and intellectual property sector, emphasizing Bahrain's position in preserving and protecting all types of intellectual property and patent rights, which in turn contributes to increasing the flow of investments.

The agreement comes as part of the work plan to develop the regulatory and procedural framework related to the registration of intellectual property and patents in cooperation with the Prime Minister Office, the agreement will enable:  Accelerating of technical examination procedures of patent applications, enhancing cooperation in the fields of patents with the US Patent Office, facilitating exchange of information on the latest findings of both sides regarding patent applications filed with the Bahrain Patent Office, exchanging best practices and experiences in the field of managing patent offices and procedures for examination and grants, raising the quality of the reports of the Bahraini National Office, and preventing conflicts in technical results with major international patent offices, and promoting the Kingdom's global position as a country that preserves and protects all types of intellectual property rights including patent rights, in addition to increasing revenues related to filing patent applications and examining them technically.

The fast-track system for technical examination of patents, which supports the applicant approved by international patent offices, including the US Patent Office, to speed up the procedures for granting patents in the Kingdom of Bahrain based on the examination reports issued by the five major international government offices proposed to be contracted bilaterally, and through this agreement, the Kingdom of Bahrain aspires to enhance cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the US Patent Office in order to build a knowledge-based economy based on creativity and innovation. The system also aims to provide an attractive environment for regional and international investments, in addition to enabling the examination of patent applications filed with the Bahrain Patent Office, especially in cases where a specialized patent examiner is not available.

The system ensures that patent applications are processed efficiently and effectively, ultimately positioning Bahrain as a hub for technological progress and intellectual property development, fostering an ecosystem that fosters innovation.

Within the framework of the official visit to the United States of America, the H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro Minister of Industry and Commerce, participated in the roundtable of the National Council on US-Arab Relations to discuss economic developments and future investment opportunities between the two sides, in the presence of a number of senior officials from both sides.

During the session, HE the Minister stressed the government’s keenness to strengthen and consolidate bilateral relations with the United States of America as a strategic partner by increasing investment opportunities and seizing new and diversified economic projects for both sides, and achieving the positive expected results of the free trade agreement between the two countries.

They also reviewed the latest developments and efforts made by the Kingdom of Bahrain to enhance trade cooperation with the United States of America and create more rapprochement between the Bahraini business community and the American business community to achieve common goals.

In addition to issues related to trade relations between and ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation to serve common strategic and development directions and visions.

As part of his official visit to the United States of America, H.E. Mr.  Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro Minister of Industry and Commerce participated in the roundtable discussions hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce. The discussions aimed to enhance cooperation in the fields of trade, investment and industry and highlight the promising investment opportunities between the two countries. The discussions were attended by Khush Choksy, Vice President of the American Chamber of Commerce for the Middle East and Turkey, and a number of senior officials from both sides.

The discussions reviewed the latest developments in trade, investment and industrial relations between the two countries, and ways to enhance them. The Minister of Industry and Commerce stressed that this meeting embodies the close relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America, and the commitment of the two countries to strengthen trade and economic cooperation. Noting the keenness of the Kingdom of Bahrain to consolidate the strategic partnership with the United States of America and strengthen their long-term partnership. His Excellency praised the role of constructive dialogues with stakeholders in the business communities of the two countries in supporting this strategic partnership and exploring new opportunities for cooperation.

In addition to many topics and developments related to bilateral projects.

H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro Minister of Industry and Commerce headed the delegation of the Kingdom of Bahrain participating in the meeting of the Bahraini-US Joint Committee for the Free Trade Agreement between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America, in the presence of Assistant United States Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle Mr. Bryant Trick to represent the American side, and with the participation of a number of senior officials from both countries in Washington, DC.

His Excellency praised the depth of the historical US-Bahraini relations, stressing the importance of the comprehensive joint agreement for security integration and prosperity, which was signed last September in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and His Highness Lieutenant General Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security Advisor and Commander of the Royal Guard, and Antony J. Blinken, the US Secretary OF State. Noting that this comprehensive agreement embodies the strength of the strategic partnership between the two countries and the commitment to enhance joint cooperation in several fields, including emerging technology, trade and investment.

The Minister elaborated that the comprehensive agreement builds on the broad prospects for investment and economic cooperation of the US-Bahrain FTA, which was signed twenty years ago, and still represents the cornerstone for encouraging investments and bilateral trade and creating an appropriate climate for economic cooperation and new spaces for the trade, business, and investment sectors.

The Minister also stressed the Kingdom of Bahrain's constant keenness to continue building a sustainable economy on the basis of transparency, sustainability and competitiveness, and to push the role of the private sector in optimizing various investment opportunities and mutual experiences to open new markets and stimulate qualitative investments in various sectors to promote sustainable economic growth. 

H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro Minister of Industry and Commerce affirmed the keenness of the Kingdom of Bahrain to enhance trade cooperation with the United States of America in various sectors.

This came within the framework of His Excellency's official visit to the United States, where he met the United States Trade Representative Ambassador Catherine Tai, in the presence of Shaikh Hamad bin Salman Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for Domestic and Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and a number of senior officials from both sides, in Washington, DC.

During the meeting, the Minister of Industry and Commerce stressed the importance of the joint relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America, continuously strengthened through joint agreements and mutual visits, in addition to various cooperation and exchange programs related to trade. H.E. stressed the vital role of the private sector in both countries in benefiting from the advantages of bilateral agreements, which reflect positively on increasing the volume of trade exchange and expanding the scope of exports and imports between the two countries.

As part of his official visit to the United States, H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, participated in roundtable discussions organized by the US-Arab Chamber of Commerce. In the presence of Mr. David Hammoud, President and CEO of the National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce, and Sameer Abdulla Nass, chairman of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), and a number of officials and businessmen from both sides.

The discussions highlighted ways to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries by strengthening trade and investment ties and encouraging exchange of expertise and knowledge in various fields. As well as the importance of strengthening and activating the role of the private sector in developing these relations and creating strategic partnerships between companies and institutions in both countries.

The discussions also reviewed promising investment opportunities presented by the Kingdom of Bahrain in various sectors, including industry, technology, tourism and logistics, noting the advantages and facilities provided by the Kingdom of Bahrain to attract investors to establish and expand their businesses there. The discussions also stressed the importance of the free trade agreement in enhancing trade exchange and facilitate investments flow.

Mr. David Hammoud praised Bahrain’s remarkable progress in developing the business environment, and its adoption of open economic policies that attract qualitative investment in major economic projects. Stressing the importance of continuing joint work between the US-Arab Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to enhance cooperation between the business communities in both countries, and to leverage existing investment and economic opportunities.

As part of the coordination efforts between the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Industrial Development Directorate, in coordination with the Industry and Energy Committee, conducted a visit to the "Medal Cables Co. W.L.L." factory. The visit was attended by seven ambassadors from friendly countries (the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, and the Republic of the Philippines) with the aim of introducing the Medal factory and its products and exploring new cooperation opportunities and expanding the factory's production horizons with friendly countries. The attendees were received by Mr. Rashid Hameed Al Zayani, Director and Member of the Board of Directors of Medal Cables company and Engineer Khaled Abdul Latif, Group CEO of Medal Cables.

During the visit, Mr. Khalid Salman Al Qasimi, Director of Industrial Development at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, expressed his appreciation for the factory's efforts and briefed the attendees on the most important initiatives of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce that are provided to factories, which are in line with the pillars of the Industry Sector Strategy 2022-2026. These initiatives include:

• "i Factories" initiative: This initiative aims to support the transformation of the industrial sector toward the "Fourth Industrial Revolution" by measuring factory readiness and its digital maturity in order to enable them to invest in technology infrastructure and automation using the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI).
• "The integrated industrial partnership for sustainable economic development with the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco" initiative: This initiative aims to achieve integration between the components, capabilities and expertise possessed by partner countries to create industrial opportunities that contribute to diversifying the economy and increasing the competitiveness and flexibility of the industrial sector. The importance of this initiative lies in strengthening partnerships between member countries aiming to feed this promising sector with growth and development boosters.
• "In-Country Value in Industry (Takamul) Program" initiative: This initiative aims to measure the contribution of factories to the national economy's development, where industrial establishments can obtain the In-country Value Certificate (Takamul) to be a preferred option in future government purchases.

Al Qasimi praised Medal's completion of the self-assessment to measure the readiness of smart factories with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. He also appreciated the factory management's interest in expanding its industrial and logistical operations, confirming the ministry's full support for the factory's efforts in this field.

This visit comes within the framework of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce's efforts to enhance Bahrain's position as a leading regional industrial center and to strengthen cooperation with friendly countries in this field.