Climate Of Bahrain

The President announced that a U.S.-Middle East Free Trade Area would be established within a decade. Building on our free trade agreements (FTAs) with Israel and Jordan, the United States will take a series of graduated steps: Help reforming countries become members of the World Trade Organization; Negotiate Bilateral Investment Treaties and Trade and Investment Framework Agreements with governments determined to improve their trade and investment regimes; Complete our negotiations on a free trade agreement with Morocco by the end of this year; Launch, in consultation with Congress, new bilateral free ... [Read More]

Pillar Programs

This initial program of technical assistance will help strengthen the financial systems of Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan with the aim of promoting investment and employment growth in these countries. This is an essential precursor to promoting broad-based economic development in the region. Areas of focus will include the condition of the overall banking system, the adequacy of bank supervision, the state of capital markets, and factors limiting each financial system's responsiveness to the needs of SMEs and the broader population. In addition to laying the foundation for future working relationships with key local counterparts, the organizers will use these missions to develop recommendations for broader programs of technical assistance. ... [Read More]

Bahrain

The Government imposed some restrictions on the freedoms of speech and the press, and restricted freedoms of assembly and association. These restrictions increased during the first half of the year. The founding of the country's first independent newspaper in September marked an improvement for freedom of the press. The Government also imposed some limits on freedom of religion and freedom of movement. In July the Government registered the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, the country's second human rights NGO. Violence against women and discrimination based on sex, religion, and ethnicity remained problems. The promulgation in September of a law on unions, which gave workers for the first time the right to organize and bargain collectively, was a significant improvement in the rights of workers. This and other legislation also improved the legal status of foreign workers. Abuse of foreign workers occurred, including numerous instances of forced labor and some instances of trafficking. ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

One customarily greets the clergy or member of  the royal family with the title of Shaikh (for a man) or Shaikha (for a woman).  For instance, Mohammed bin Rashid al-Khalifa would be addressed as Shaikh Mohammed or Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Khalifa. Nicknames, formal and informal are common.  Abu means “father of” when it is used before the given name of the oldest son.  For example Abu Mohammed is the father of Mohammed.  Bin and ibn both mean “son of.”  So, bin Khuldoon is the son of Khuldoon.  Informal nicknames used among friends are often adapted forms of a person’s given name:  Aboud for Abdulla, Hamoud for Mohammed, Fatoum for Fatima, Abbasi for Abbas, Salmano for Salman, and so on. ... [Read More]

Jordan

The GOJ sold its remaining 14.3% stake of the Jordan Cement Factories Company to the social security corporation in February 2002. 10.5% of Jordan Telecom shares were sold by the GOJ via an initial public offering (IPO) in October 2002. In October 2003, the GOJ sold half of its 52% stake in the Arab Potash Company to a strategic Canadian partner. The Government is committed to hold its remaining 26% in the company until the end of 2006, when it may arrange to sell the balance of its shares. The government continues to consider its options in the privatization of Royal Jordanian (RJ) Airline’s operating division. The government concluded the sale of 80 percent of RJ’s aircraft maintenance division. RJ’s engine overhaul facility is also for sale. In addition, the government is conducting a study of the Jordan Civil Aviation Authority with the goal of privatizing all but its core regulatory functions. Non-core areas likely to be sold off or put under private management in the medium term ... [Read More]

Background Notes Archive - Near East and North Africa

U.S. Department of StateBackground Notes: Bahrain, October 1996Bureau of Public AffairsOfficial Name: State of BahrainPROFILEGeographyArea: 693 sq. km. (268 sq. mi.); about four times the size of Washington, DC. Bahrain is an archipelago consisting of 33 islands, only six of them inhabited.Cities: Capital--Manama (pop. 145,000--1993 est.). Other city--Al Muharraq (81,000--1993 est.).Terrain: Low interior plateau and hill on main island.Climate: Hot and humid from May-September, temperate from October-April.PeopleNationality: Noun and adjective--Bahraini(s).Population (1996 est.): 586,000; 66% indigenous.Ethnic groups: Bahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%.Religions: Shi'a and Sunni Muslim.Languages: Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu.Education: Attendance--73%. Literacy (1990 est.)--77% (male 82%, female 69%).Work force (1987 est.): 197,000 (about 44% indigenous, 56% expatriate). Industry and commerce--74%. Services--19%. Agriculture--4%. Government--3% ... [Read More]

Bahrain (11/04)

The first Gulf state to discover oil, Bahrain has worked to diversify its economy over the past decade. Bahrain has stabilized its oil production at about 40,000 barrels per day (b/d), and reserves are expected to last 10-15 years. Revenues from oil and natural gas currently account for 16.5% of GDP and provide about 60% of government income.  The Bahrain Oil Company refinery built in 1935, the first in the Gulf, has a capacity of about 250,000 b/d. Since 1980, 60% of the refinery has been owned by the Bahrain National Oil Company and 40% by the U.S. company Caltex. Saudi Arabia provides most of the crude for refinery operation via pipeline. Through an agreement with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain also receives a large portion of the net output and revenues from Saudi Arabia's Abu Saafa offshore oilfield. The Bahrain National Gas Company operates a gas liquefaction plant that utilizes gas piped directly from Bahrain's oilfields. Gas reserves should last about 50 years at present rates of c ... [Read More]

Background Notes: Bahrain

Background Notes: BahrainPA/PCSource: Office of Public Communication, Bureau of Public AffairsDate: Nov 28, 199111/28/91Category: Country DataRegion: MidEast/North AfricaCountry: BahrainSubject: Military Affairs, Cultural Exchange, Travel, History, International Organizations, Trade/Economics[TEXT]Official Name: State of BahrainPROFILEGeographyArea: 693 sq. km. (268 sq. mi.); about four times the size ofWashington, DC. Bahrain is an archipelago consisting of 33 islands,only 5 of them inhabited. Cities: Capital--Manama (pop. 122,000--1985 est.). Other city--Al Muharraq. ... [Read More]

Investment Climate Statements: 2005

Investment Climate Statements provide a thorough description of the overseas environments in which U.S. investors must operate. The statements cover general characteristics, such as openness to foreign investment and treatment of foreign investors, as well as details about procedures for licensing and similar administrative matters. The statements are updated each year as Chapter 7 in the Country Commercial Guides, a series to be found by country at the U.S. Department of Commerce's website: http://www.export.gov/. ... [Read More]