In the framework of the official visit to the United States of America Washington DC, the Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism participated in the roundtable of the National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC) Expert, in presence of Bahraini Ambassador to Washington Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary of Foreign Trade Ms. Eman Al Doseri and Director of SMEs Development Ms. Shaikha Al Fadhel.

During the meeting, a number of economic topics were discussed specially in the SMEs sector. The Minister reviewed a number of measures and decisions taken by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and with the support and guidance of the leadership and the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain to promote this important sector, which contributes to develop and raise the national output. The Minister also reviewed the current and future programs in the field of facilitating financing, access to local markets to reach global markets, and develop innovations, as well as government’s efforts to develop policies and strategic plans for entrepreneurship and develop projects aimed at enhancing their contributions to GDP and create new jobs.

The National U.S. - Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC), established nearly 50 years ago, is America’s longest serving organization dedicated to U.S. - Arab business.  NUSACC is widely regarded as the voice of American business in the 22 countries of the Arab world and the premier portal to the United States for Arab commercial enterprises.

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Tourism organized national workshop on “Implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement” in cooperation with the World Trade Organization during the period from 15 to 17 October 2017 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

During the opening ceremony, undersecretary of Commerce Affairs Mr. Nader Al Moayyed delivered a speech pointing out that the World Trade Organization has succeeded in strengthening the multilateral trading system by entering into the trade facilitation agreement on February 22, 2017, as it considered the first multilateral agreement after about 21 years ago since the establishment of the World Trade Organization in 1995, this agreement aims at accelerating trade movement, freeing goods across borders, reducing physical and temporal burdens and creating a great push for trade and development.

The workshop comes after Bahrain ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement in September 2016 by Law No. (17) of 2016 by ratifying the amended Protocol of Marrakesh Agreement to establish the World Trade Organization by adding the Trade Facilitation Agreement to (A), the agreement entered into force on February 22, 2017, after the ratification of two thirds of the Members of the Organization.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has provided notification to implement procedures under category (A) of the agreement on 24 November 2015. The current phase after the entry of the Trade Facilitation Agreement into force requires notification of actions under lists B and C of the agreement. The list procedures (B) should be notified including possible dates for the Kingdom of Bahrain to apply those procedures. List procedures (C), including technical assistance requirements, and the development of capacities for the implementation of these procedures, are also identified. List procedures (C), including technical assistance requirements, and the development of capacities for implementation these procedures, are also identified.

On the sideline of the 1st Italian Arab Business Forum which took place in Milan, the Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani met Mr.  Angelino Alfano, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Italy and ways to enhance cooperation mechanisms in all fields particularly industrial, commercial, tourist and investment sector.   The minister also praised the advanced level reached of Bahraini-Italian relations and joint cooperation in various sectors especially the economic.

Undersecretary of Commerce Affairs Mr. Nader Al Moayyed inaugurated the World Standardization Day under the slogan of “Specifications make cities smarter” which is organized by Standardization & Metrology Directorate at the Bahrain Financial Harbour Gate.

On this occasion undersecretary said that the ministry is keen to participate with the countries of the world in celebrating the World Standardization Day which falls on the 14th of October of each year.

He also confirmed that the Ministry of Industry, commerce and Tourism has many successful local experiences towards smart cities, both at the level of national programs such as energy efficiency for air conditioners or lamps, or Gulf programs such as s requiring fuel efficiency for vehicles and energy efficiency for tires. There is also Gulf Construction Code, that final draft has been completed and will be adopted at the local level and will support urban development in line with global developments in sustainable buildings.
He added that this occasion is an opportunity for the Ministry to intensify its media programs on the importance of standard specifications in various aspects of life.

The minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani chaired the 1st committee meeting of Vehicles & Electrical Appliances Efficiency Standards, in the presence of members of the Committee by the Council of Ministers Decision No. 2414-07 to be To be chaired by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and membership of the Electricity & Water Authority and representatives of the General Administration of Traffic, Customs Affairs, Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication and the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The minister welcomes the committee members, praising the importance of the committee to support initiatives that achieve national energy efficiency plan and national renewable energy plan which is approved by the Council of Ministers. The minister also praised the importance role of each body in setting its visions regarding standards aimed at increasing the efficiency of vehicles and electrical appliances to achieve optimal use of energy.

During the meeting, goals and national plans for energy efficiency and renewable energy were reviewed, as well as proposed work plan to implement MEPS minimum energy performance standards. They also reviewed project of technical regulations for national and gulf program related to energy efficiency which is being implemented by Standards and Metrology Directorate.

The Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani received Moroccan Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain Mr. Ahmed Rasheed Khutabi.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations between Bahrain and Morocco and ways to enhance them to reach common aspiration and objectives set by both leaderships. The minister touched the appropriate investment environment that enjoyed by the kingdom of Bahrain, which make it a preferred destination for many international projects and investments. 

The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani received Jalal Kadhem, where they discussed a number of general issues related to the economic and investment aspects in Bahrain.

In this regard, the minister confirmed the readiness of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism to provide all aspects of support and assistance to the Council of Representatives. He also noted ministry’s keenness to coordinate and work with all concerned authorities to achieve government visions and strategies.