| 1. |
Modern, stable economy in the Middle East
Bahrain is: |
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An international financial centre in the Middle East with more than 360 financial institutions. |
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The Founding member of the WTO |
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A country with a positive trade balance: Surplus 19.3% of GDP (2005 provisional) |
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A country with high Sovereign rating (S&P: A, Moody’s: A3, Fitch: A) |
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A diversified economy with limited Oil & Gas contribution. |
| 2. |
Attractive regulatory environment |
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The freest economy in the Middle East |
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One of the only countries in the Middle East to have a FTA with the US: |
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Bahrain was the first GCC country to sign a FTA with the U.S. |
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Fast track processes are evidence of Bahrain’s advanced and transparent economy; only 1.5 years from initial negotiations to signing
of the FTA |
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The FTA aims at achieving extensive liberalization across a wide spectrum of trade issues, both for goods and services |
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96% of Bahrain industrial and agricultural products will receive immediate duty-free access to the U.S. markets |
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Service providers from each country will enjoy substantial market access to the service market of the other country |
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Important requirements on IP rights and transparency |
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| 3. |
Competitive Cost Advantage |
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Bahrain offers a competitive cost advantages for companies to establish their business. |
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| 4. |
Accessible and attractive Location |
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By road: |
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Connection with neighbouring countries |
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25 km King Fahd Causeway linking Bahrain and Saudi Arabia provides easy access to the Saudi market |
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Causeway to Qatar planned (40 km over-sea route) |
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By sea: |
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New Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Port under construction (completion by 2007, operational by 2008) |
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More than USD 600 million total investment volume |
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First development stage provides for six 300m berths (including
two for the new container terminal) |
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By air: |
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Bahrain Int’l Airport upgrade recently approved |
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Capacity will reach 15 million passengers per year after first phase and 45 million passengers per year after final expansion phase |
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Major extensions of the cargo terminal` |
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Main hub of Gulf Air |
