A/S BOHIGIAN FINDS GOB, BUSINESS EAGER TO BENEFIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MANAMA 001956 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, EB/CBA STATE PASS USTR FOR J BUNTIN COMMERCE FOR 4520/ITA/MAC AND OGC/CLDP TREASURY FOR JROSE AND KRAMANATHAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/21/2016 TAGS: ETRD ECON EINV PREL BEXP BA BILAT ECTRD SUBJECT: A/S BOHIGIAN FINDS GOB, BUSINESS EAGER TO BENEFIT FROM FTA REF: MANAMA 1700 Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe, Reasons 1.4(b) and (d). -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Commerce Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance David Bohigian November 16 called on senior GOB officials, addressed an AmCham-sponsored FTA event, and met with U.S. and Bahraini company executives to promote "friction-free" bilateral trade and highlight the U.S. as a dynamic and welcoming destination for foreign direct investment (FDI). During the visit, the local business community's ongoing appetite for specific guidance on applying the benefits of the FTA was evident. Bahrain remains slow off the mark in promoting awareness and understanding of the FTA. We will continue to push them to do more. End Summary. -------------- -------------- COMMERCE MINISTER HIGHLIGHTS BILATERAL COOPERATION -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Minister of Industry and Commerce Hassan Fakhro welcomed A/S Bohigian and delegation and praised the USG for ongoing technical assistance to Bahrain. His recognition of the MEPI-funded Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) was particularly laudatory. Fakhro expected a new Companies Law, to which CLDP consultants had contributed heavily, to be passed in the next parliamentary session. The Ambassador noted that visiting CLDP staff had recently described the law as world class. ¶3. (C) Fakhro added that, in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the GOB had drafted a new Standards Law that would also be submitted to parliament in the next session. Assistant Undersecretary for Standards and Consumer Protection Abdul Razak Zainalabedin added that the GOB was meeting with the GCC Standards Committee to shape discussion on pending standards proposals. ¶4. (C) On what the U.S. could do to deepen Bahraini investment in the U.S., Fakhro suggested that GOB officials would welcome a U.S. "roadmap" offering advice. Fakhro also cited a need for good FTA success stories from Jordan and Asia that could provide examples of effective investment and joint-venture strategies. ¶5. (U) Fakhro pointed to the Bahrain Investment Wharf (BIW), which he had officially launched the previous day, as an example of steps the GOB was taking to further its own interest in attracting FDI. He noted that it would be located adjacent to the new Bahrain Industrial Park and could serve as an example of the public and private sectors working together in constructive competition for investment. (Note: At the November 15 opening ceremony, BIW Chairman Ahmed Al Qattan described the FTA as a key feature in attracting FDI to Bahrain in general and the BIW in particular. The BIW corporate brochure devotes significant space to the FTA. End Note.) ¶6. (C) A/S Bohigian asked about ongoing labor reform. Fakhro acknowledged that Bahraini unemployment was a concern, but added that the GOB had moved to remedy unemployment. (Note: The Prime Minister announced November 20 that just four percent of Bahrainis registered with the National Employment Project remained unemployed. End Note). -------------- EDB CHIEF EXECUTIVE SHARES VISION -------------- ¶7. (U) At the Economic Development Board (EDB),Shaikh Mohammed identified the three pillars to Bahrain's economic strategy: First, position Bahrain's private sector as an "engine of growth for the future;" second, direct the GOB's evolution from operator to regulator through privatization of the post office, port and airport, and third, promote the education and training of Bahrainis in order to achieve a more skilled, competitive workforce. Shaikh Mohammed also said educating the public on the relevance of trade MANAMA 00001956 002 OF 003 principles such as the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) would be a priority. He asked for U.S. assistance in developing a fresh public awareness campaign. ¶8. (C) Shaikh Mohammed said a comprehensive ten-phase national land reform plan commissioned by the EDB had just been completed for the Crown Prince's review. The plan, produced by U.S. firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, provides a framework for the strategic development of Bahrain's land resources. The lack of a transparent land acquisition regime has been a perennial complaint among Bahrain's business community. In addition to commercial land development, the plan also addresses Bahrain's housing needs. ¶9. (C) Shaikh Mohammed also mentioned that the EDB is planning trade missions to raise Bahrain's profile with U.S. investors. The next trade mission could occur sometime during the first quarter of 2007, perhaps at the end of February or beginning of March. He said he was particularly interested in attracting more manufacturing to Bahrain. The Ambassador noted the recently announced investment of a U.S. automotive parts manufacturer as a step toward that goal. (Note: Tactics Middle East (TME) announced plans to build a $60 million car parts factory in Bahrain. The local press quotes a TME official as citing the FTA as a draw for investment in Bahrain. End Note.) -------------- AMCHAM EVENT POINTS TO NEED FOR GUIDANCE -------------- ¶10. (C) In an AmCham-sponsored FTA promotional breakfast, A/S Bohigian said the U.S. welcomes Bahraini investment and noted that the majority of U.S.-international trade takes place with our FTA partners. He called on the business community to pursue the full benefits of the FTA in the interest of furthering "friction-free" trade in Bahrain and the region. A/S Bohigian responded to questions from the audience following his remarks. As was the case during Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary Holly Vineyard's visit, several questions illustrated an ongoing desire among many in the local business community for specific guidance on benefiting from the FTA (reftel). -------------- PRIVATE SECTOR SEES PROMISE -------------- ¶11. (C) In a meeting with Microsoft, Country Manager Sherif Bayoumi and Services Manager Ghassan Mteirek noted that their positive relations with the GOB were strengthened by Microsoft's community initiatives. Through its "Partners in Learning" program, for example, Microsoft has provided IT training to eight thousand Bahraini teachers - 80 percent of the teaching population. Mteirek acknowledged receiving strong support from the GOB on software IPR protection. It remains a problem, but Mteirek noted that independent industry statistics place Bahrain's software piracy rates among the lowest in the region. ¶12. (C) A/S Bohigian's meeting with Microsoft took place during the company's first day in its new offices. Pointing to still unpacked boxes, his hosts explained that their new, larger office space was needed to accommodate the relocation of its MENA region headquarters from Turkey to Bahrain. Bayoumi said Microsoft had selected Bahrain for its favorable investment climate and regionally competitive cost of living. ¶13. (C) A/S Bohigian told senior investment bankers representing Citigroup, Arcapita, Investcorp and Kuwait Finance House Bahrain (KFH-Bahrain) that the $12 trillion U.S. economy represented a dynamic and welcoming destination for ongoing FDI. The bankers reported gnerally strong interest on the part of their comanies in pursuing bilateral investment opportunites. Arcapita, Investcorp and KFH-Bahrain eachhold a number of U.S. investments and are open t considering more. KFH-Bahrain Project Developmen Manager Osama Al Khajah said Second Deputy Chairman Waleed Rashdan had traveled to Colorado October 22 at the invitation of Bahraini Ambassador Nasser Belooshi to study renewable energy-related joint venture opportunities. -------------- MANAMA 00001956 003 OF 003 COMMENT -------------- ¶14. (C) A/S Bohigian's visit to Bahrain showcased positive U.S.-Bahraini relations. Meetings highlighted the eagerness of GOB officials to enhance the Bahraini investment climate and support the success of the FTA. However, the need to respond to widespread Bahraini uncertainty over how to capitalize on the benefits of the FTA persists. A range of U.S. officials, including A/S Bohigian and the Ambassador have explained that, while the FTA opens doors, it is up to the private sector to walk through them. While some local initiatives, including the AmCham, the MEPI-funded Entreprenuership Center, and the Embassy's own outreach efforts, are promoting awareness and understanding of the FTA, the Bahraini side has been slow off the mark. The plan to send a trade and investment mission to the U.S. in early 2007 is an encouraging sign. We will continue to push the Bahrainis to do more. End comment. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** MONROE