BAHRAIN: INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT 2007

UNCLAS MANAMA 000291 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EB/IFD/OIA, NEA/ARP COMMERCE FOR 4520/ITA/ANE/-THOFFMAN STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR FOR JBUNTIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EINV EFIN ETRD ELAB KTDB OPIC PGOV USTR ECTRD, BA SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT 2007 REF: 06 STATE 178303 -------------- A.1 Openness To Foreign Investment -------------- Bahrain is widely considered to be one of the most open countries in the region and generally follows an open-market philosophy. The country has been able to make significant progress in its ongoing process of economic liberalization, diversification of national income, and openness to investment policies in recent years. Bahrain has already amended existing legislation and promoted new laws aimed at facilitating and encouraging foreign investment. Senior government officials believe it is imperative to continue working toward economic diversification and to increase the volume of investment in the services, tourism, industry, and the financial sector. Officials make frequent public statements citing the importance of foreign direct investment, bolstering the private sector's role in the economy, lessening the burden on government, and eventually decreasing government subsidies. Upon the August 2006 implementation of the US-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA),100 percent of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial products became duty-free. Bahrain will phase out tariffs on the remaining handful of agricultural product lines within ten years. Textiles and apparel trade is duty-free, promoting new opportunities for U.S. and Bahraini apparel manufacturing. The FTA requires qualifying textiles and apparel to contain either U.S. or Bahraini yarn and fabric and allows for a temporary transitional allowance for textiles and apparel that do not meet these requirements so that U.S. and Bahrain producers can find ways to work together. The FTA requires transparency and efficiency in customs administration, including publication of laws and regulations on the Internet and procedural certainty and fairness. In addition, the FTA requires customs procedures designed to facilitate the rapid clearance through customs of express delivery shipments. The 2007 Heritage Foundation's "Index of Economic Freedom" ranked Bahrain 39th, marking a decline from the previous year's ranking of 25th. The ranking reduction was attributable to the decline of its monetary policy score, as a result of a 0.04 percent jump in its annual inflation rate, a decline of its IPR score, and "upon more detailed analysis and based upon the fact that the judiciary is not fully independent from the King." The Index rated Bahrain as "mostly free." Even so, the Heritage Foundation recognizes Bahrain as "the second freest (economy) in the Middle East and North Africa after Israel." The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's (UNCTAD) World Investment 2006 Report ranked Bahrain second after the UAE among all Arab countries in its Inward FDI Performance Index. The UNCTAD index ranks countries by the FDI they receive relative to their economic size. Bahrain improved its ranking by 10 positions to occupy 22nd place worldwide. The Government of Bahrain is determined to increase the entry of new private firms in an economy that has long been dominated by parastatals (outside of the financial services sector). Following the creation of a Supreme Privatization Council in the spring of 2001, the King of Bahrain, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, issued a decree in October 2002 laying out guidelines privatizing telecommunications, transportation, electricity, water, ports and airport services, tourism, oil, gas and postal service. Bahrain's Crown Prince, Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, is also an outspoken proponent of privatization and economic reform in Bahrain. The Crown Prince was entrusted with the King's labor, economic, and training/education reform initiatives in 2004 and assumed the Chairmanship of the Economic Development Board (EDB). Following ministerial changes in January 2005, the King issued Royal Decree No. 31 for 2005, amending article 9 of 2000, delegating the national economic and investment portfolio to the EDB, which had formerly served as an economic think tank. Under the Chairmanship of the Crown Prince, the EDB was entrusted with the implementation and execution of a three-tiered reform initiative, focusing on labor, economic, and education reform. The EDB's main strategic functions are to promote investment in key economic sectors, support and encourage foreign investment, attract foreign companies to establish a presence in Bahrain, support and develop local entrepreneurial skills, simplify and eliminate investment obstacles, and secure Bahrain's economic leadership and competitiveness as a regional business and commercial hub. Following the King's decree to privatize government-controlled sectors, the first key sector to be liberalized was telecommunications, which ended the monopoly of the 33.3 percent state-owned telecom service provider, Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco). Under Legislative Decree 48, the Telecommunication Law of 2002 established the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA). In accordance with Article 15 of the Telecommunication Law, the National Telecommunication Plan was issued in 2003. The plan serves as a guideline for the liberalization process and addresses licensing opportunities, Universal Service Obligations, the Bahrain Internet Exchange (BIX),Batelco's licensing activities, and the government's role in Batelco. Under the National Telecommunication Plan, and in accordance with the government's progressive elimination of Batelco's monopoly, an unlimited number of licenses could be issued in ten areas of telecommunication service. However, the Plan also provided for limitations on the number of licenses issued for BIX and mobile telecommunications services. It stated, "In the mobile area, one license will be issued to Batelco, and one further license will be issued to a market entrant under the provision that, in normal circumstances, further licenses shall not be issued for a minimum of two years from date of award." (MTC-Vodafone was granted the mobile provider license in 2003.) According to TRA figures, as of January 2007 the following telecommunications licenses were granted: -- two Individual Mobile Telecommunication Licenses; -- ten International Telecommunication Facility Licenses (IFL); -- twenty-six International Telecommunication Services Licenses (ISL); -- five Individual National Fixed Service Licenses; -- eight VSAT Licenses; -- one Individual Paging Service Licenses; -- thirty Value Added Services (VAS) "Class" Licenses; -- one Individual Public Access Mobile Radio Service License; -- one Bahrain Internet Exchange License; -- sixteen Internet Service Provider Licenses (ISP); -- two Frequency Licenses; -- three Temporary WiFi Frequency Licenses. Following the privatization of public transportation service in 2003, CARS, a Bahrain-UAE joint venture operates 41 modern, air-conditioned, 52-seat buses, representing a $10 million investment in the local economy. The Kingdom's first independent power plant project (IPP) was also successfully tendered and awarded to the equally-shared Belgian-Gulf consortium Tractebel EGI and Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) to design, build, own, operate, and maintain the 1,000MW, $498.4 million Al Ezzel Independent Power Plant. The first phase, with a production capacity of 400MW, was completed in May 2006. The second phase, with a capacity of 600MW, is set to be completed in May 2007. Upon completion, the project will have created 140 jobs, 120 of them for Bahrainis. The proposed network is part of a $26.5 million upgrade and setup of new transmission grids, linking Al Ezzel station with the government's main power network. The government also has plans to expand its distribution network and award contracts for three new sub-stations, in anticipation of the extra electricity generated by the plant. In January 2006, the $1.25 billion Hidd Power and Water Station project was sold to an international business conglomerate of British power supplier International Power, Japanese Sumitomo Corporation, and Belgian electricity company Suez Energy International (Suez Tractebel). The privatization of Hidd Power and Water Station reinforces the government's privatization strategy, which is aimed at enhancing the private sector's role in Bahrain's development process and fostering a positive business-based climate by attracting more local and foreign investments. A 25-year port management bid for the concession to operate the Mina Salman port and the new Khalifa Bin Salman Port was awarded to a consortium of Dutch-based APM Terminals and Bahrain-based Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Holdings WLL in May 2005. The consortium began operating the Mina Salman port in December 2006. The Khalifa Bin Salman Port is expected to open by the fourth quarter of 2008. Under the privatization law, the government's commitment to gradually divest of its interests and stakes in certain companies is intended to increase the private sector's competitiveness. The Public Shareholding Directorate at the Ministry of Finance contracted the consulting arm of UK-based HSBC to carry out the consultancy and survey on the sale of the government's shares in Batelco. In January 2006, the Cabinet approved the formation of a $5.31 billion holding company, Mumtalakat, to control the government's commercial and investment interests in 20 local and 9 foreign companies. The firm will have a paid up capital of approximately $3.44 billion, and an authorized capital of approximately $5.03 billion. Law 64 of 2006 ordered an upgrade of the Bahrain Monetary Agency to the new Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB). Law 64 consolidated several laws that had previously governed the various segments of the financial services industry. Under the law, the CBB enjoys reinforced operational independence and enhanced enforcement powers. Article 9 of the law, for example, outlines investigational and administrative proceedings at the CBB's disposal to ensure compliance of rules and regulations by licensees. CBB is the sole regulatory authority for the Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE). The Governor of the CBB chairs the BSE Board of Directors, but the BSE operates as an independent corporate entity. Dow Jones Indexes and the Bahrain Stock Exchange launched the Dow Jones Bahrain Index on July 5, 2005. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) firms and citizens are permitted to own up to 100 percent of companies listed on the BSE. Non-GCC firms/citizens may own up to 49 percent of listed companies. Under the terms of the U.S.-Bahrain Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, U.S. investors are eligible for most-favored-nation treatment and national treatment (or GCC) treatment (with an exception of any in-kind limitations applied to Bahraini, GCC, or third-country investors). If discrepancies occur, U.S. firms/individuals are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy. In March 2004, as part of an effort to stimulate the insurance industry and reinforce Bahrain's position as a major insurance center in the Middle East, the CBB lifted the requirement that foreign insurance brokers and loss adjusters partner with a local company. These foreign firms, which were previously required to have at least 51 percent Bahraini-ownership, are now permitted to operate with 100 percent foreign-ownership. The CBB is holding consultations on further reform in areas such as captive insurance, solvency, business conduct, risk management and financial crime, enforcement, CBB reporting and public disclosure, intermediaries, and Islamic insurance. Taxation and import laws apply equally to Bahraini and foreign-owned companies, and foreign investors must comply with the same requirements and legislation, as do local firms. In anticipation of the GCC Customs Union, Bahrain reduced customs tariffs to five percent in January 2002 for imported goods, with exceptions for alcohol (125 percent) and tobacco (100 percent),and entirely exempted customs duties for a list of 417 food and medical items. Bahrain requires that pharmaceutical products be imported directly from a manufacturer with a research department and that the products be licensed in at least two other GCC countries, one of which must be Saudi Arabia. Drugs and medicines may be imported only by a drug store or pharmacy licensed by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) after approval by the Ministry of Health. Bahrain prohibits the importation of weapons (except under special license), pornography, wild animals, radio-controlled model airplanes, foodstuffs containing cyclamates, and children's toys containing methyl chloride (and other articles declared harmful by the Ministry of Health). Bahrain is also taking steps to ban the import of 127 chemicals. In response to the threat of Avian Influenza, Bahrain has restricted the importation of live birds and has established an Avian Flu Committee to oversee the importation of poultry. Bahrain currently imports poultry meat only from those countries certified free of Avian Influenza by the World Health Organization. Bahrain has phased out subsidies for export industries, but permits duty-free importation of raw materials for export products and of equipment and machinery for newly established export industries. All industries in Bahrain, including foreign-owned firms, benefit from government-subsidized utilities. Periodically, foreign firms experience difficulty obtaining required work permits and residence visas for expatriate employees due to the Bahraini government's efforts to promote greater numbers of Bahraini citizens in the workforce. However, this does not appear to be a matter of policy, and often can be resolved on a case-by-case basis. Where problems occur, U.S. businesses are encouraged to apply to the highest levels of the concerned ministries, and to consult the U.S. Embassy. The government has created a Labor Market Regulatory Authority to modernize Bahrain's labor market, implementing policies designed to reduce Bahrain's reliance on cheap expatriate labor. The government actively seeks Bahraini and foreign private investments in large infrastructure projects. Previously, most such activity (other than hotels) was funded by development agencies from other Gulf countries (particularly Kuwait, UAE, and Saudi Arabia). Foreign-owned companies are eligible for partial financing from the state-owned Bahraini Development Bank (BDB),if they meet certain criteria such as providing training and employment to a significant number of Bahrainis. The BDB's capitalization was increased from $26.5 to $132.6 in 2005, as part of the government's efforts to increase funding for new businesses and investments, and offering 'fast-track' loans to Bahraini entrepreneurs. The BDB has also launched an Islamic Financing facility, reflecting the growing demand for Islamic financial instruments and products. -------------- A.2 Conversion and Transfer Policies -------------- Bahrain has no restrictions on the repatriation of profits or capital and no exchange controls. Bahrain's currency, the Bahraini Dinar (BD),is fully and freely convertible at the fixed rate of USD 1.00 = BD 0.377 (1 BD = $2.65). There is no black market or parallel exchange rate. Foreign exchange is readily available and a devaluation of the Bahraini Dinar over the next year is highly unlikely. In mid-January 2007, the Central Bank publicly reaffirmed its commitment to maintain the USD-BD peg. There are no restrictions on converting or transferring funds, whether or not associated with an investment. -------------- A.3 Expropriation and Compensation -------------- There have been no expropriations in recent years, and no cases in contention. The BIT protects U.S. investments by banning all expropriations except in accordance with customary international law. -------------- A.4 Dispute Settlement -------------- Bahrain has a long-established framework of commercial law. English is widely used, and well-known international (including U.S.) law firms, often in association with local partners, provide expert legal services both nationally and regionally. Fees are charged according to internationally accepted practices. The BIT outlines three dispute settlement options: 1) submitting the dispute to a local court; 2) invoking dispute-resolution procedures previously agreed upon by the national or company and the host country government; and 3) submitting dispute for binding arbitration to ICSID (International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes) or any arbitral institution agreed upon by both parties. The GCC Commercial Arbitration Center, established in 1995, serves as a regional specialized body providing arbitration services. It assists in resolving disputes between GCC companies or between other parties and GCC countries. The Center implements rules and regulations in line with accepted international practice. Thus far, few cases have been brought to arbitration. The Center conducts seminars, symposia, and workshops to help educate and update its members of any new arbitration related matters. The Center's contact details are as follows: GCC Commercial Arbitration Center P.O. Box 2338 Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (973) 17-214-800 Fax: (973) 17-214-500 Website: www.qccarbitration.com Email: arbit395@batelco.com.bh Arbitration procedures are largely a contractual matter. Disputes are historically referred to an arbitration body as specified in the contract, or to the local courts. Increasingly, Bahraini companies, in dealings with both local and foreign firms, include arbitration procedures in their contracts. Most commercial disputes are resolved privately without recourse to the courts or formal arbitration. Bahraini law is generally specified in all contracts for the settlement of disputes that reach the stage of formal resolution. Occasional lawsuits against individuals or companies for nonpayment of debts have been adequately handled by Bahrain's court system. The guidelines laid down by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris are generally respected, and disputes have been occasionally referred to arbitration at the ICC in Paris. Bahrain is a signatory to the New York Convention of 1958 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitration Awards. -------------- A.5 Performance Requirements and Incentives -------------- There are no special performance requirements imposed on foreign investors. This is reinforced by the BIT, which forbids mandated performance requirements as a condition for the establishment, acquisition, expansion, management, conduct or operation of a covered investment. Foreign and Bahraini-owned companies must meet the same requirements and comply with the same environmental, safety, health, and other labor requirements. Officials at the Ministries of Labor and Commerce and Industry supervise, on a non-discriminatory basis, companies operating in Bahrain. Industries must be set up in officially identified industrial areas. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) must be filed by all manufacturing facilities. -------------- --- A.6 Right to Private Ownership and Establishment -------------- --- In principle, private entities may freely establish, acquire, and dispose of interests in business enterprises, subject to the limitations noted in this chapter. The BIT provides benefits and protections to U.S. investors in Bahrain, such as most-favored-nation treatment and national treatment, the right to make financial transfers freely, international law standards for expropriation and compensation cases, and access to international arbitration. The BIT guarantees national treatment for U.S. investments across all sectors, with exceptions for ownership of television, radio (or other media),fisheries, and privatization of oil dredging or exploration. Bahrain also provides most-favored-nation or national treatment status to U.S. investments in air transportation, the buying or ownership of land, and the buying or ownership of shares traded on the Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE). Where problems occur, U.S. businesses are encouraged to apply to the highest levels of the concerned ministries, and to consult the U.S. Embassy. As a result of the national treatment offered to U.S. firms in the BIT, American firms interested in selling products exclusively in Bahrain are no longer required to appoint a commercial agent, though they may opt to do so. A commercial agent is any Bahraini party appointed by a foreign party to represent the foreign party's product or service in Bahrain. Bahrain permits 100 percent foreign-ownership of new industrial entities and the establishment of representative offices or branches of foreign companies without local sponsors. Wholly foreign-owned companies may be set up for regional distribution services and may operate within the domestic market as long as they do not exclusively pursue domestic commercial sales. Private investment (foreign or Bahraini) in petroleum extraction is permitted only under a production-sharing agreement with BAPCO, the state-owned petroleum company. Since January 2001, foreign firms and GCC nationals may own land in Bahrain. Non-GCC nationals may now own high-rise commercial and residential properties, as well as property in tourism, banking, financial and health projects, and training centers, in specific geographic areas. In December of 2006, Bahrain legalized 100 percent foreign ownership of investment properties. -------------- A.7 Protection of Property Rights -------------- The Bahraini legal system adequately protects and facilitates acquisition and disposition of property rights. However, there is currently no mortgage law that guarantees lenders the right to repossess property in case of mortgage non-repayment. The U.S.-Bahrain FTA commits Bahrain to enforce world-class protection of intellectual property rights (IPR). Bahrain signed the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works and the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property in 1996. Bahrain has joined the Patent Cooperation Treaty, Madrid Agreement, WIPO Copyright Treaty, WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, the Rome Convention, the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants and the Patent Law Treaty. Pursuant to the FTA, Bahrain ratified the Budapest Treaty, the Trademark Law, and the Convention Relating to the Distribution of Programme-Carrying Signals Transmitted by Satellite in mid-2006. At the same time, the government also passed the following WIPO-compliant laws regarding: -- trade secrets; -- copyright and related rights; -- designs of integrated circuits; -- geographic indicators; -- individual drawings and designs; -- patents and utility models; -- plant varieties; -- trademarks. The government's copyright enforcement campaign began late 1997 and was based on inspections, closures, and improved public awareness. The campaign targeted the video, audio and software businesses, with impressive results. Bahrain has been aggressive in combating video and audio piracy. However, software piracy and certain forms of signal theft remain problematic. There are no technology transfer requirements that force firms to share or divulge technology through compulsory licensing to a domestic partner, nor are firms forced to commit to undertake research and development activities in Bahrain. IPR protection for U.S. companies: The Department of Commerce and other U.S. federal agencies stand ready to assist U.S. businesses with registering and enforcing their intellectual property rights, in the U.S. and in international markets. Obtaining and Protecting IPR Abroad: U.S. companies can contact the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Intellectual Property Rights (OIPR) for assistance in obtaining and protecting your intellectual property rights abroad. OIPR and Commerce's country experts stand ready to work with U.S. firms to help them protect their intellectual property abroad. In many cases, OIPR can provide companies with information to aid in navigating a foreign government's legal system, including lists of local investigative firms and attorneys, and share experiences and expertise in that country. However, the government cannot provide American companies with legal advice or advocate on a company's behalf when a matter is before a court or administrative agency. U.S. companies can reach an OIPR trade specialist by telephone at (202) 482-1191. The U.S. Government offers several resources to help U.S companies protect their intellectual property. For more information on U.S. Government resources to help U.S. companies protect their intellectual property, please visit the official website: http://www.stopfakes.gov/contactus.asp. Companies may also contact the U.S. Embassy. -------------- A.8 Transparency of Regulatory System -------------- In October 2002, Bahrain implemented a new government procurement law that establishes the basic framework for a transparent, rules-based government procurement system. It provides that certain procurements may be conducted as international public tenders open to foreign suppliers. To implement this law, a tender board, chaired by a cabinet official, was established in January 2003 to oversee all government tenders and purchases. In the past, government tendering procedures for large projects were not highly transparent. U.S. companies sometimes reported operating at a disadvantage compared with other international firms. Contracts were not always decided solely based on price and technical merit, and selected, pre-qualified firms were occasionally invited to bid on major government tenders. As of January 2003, however, the Tenders Board is responsible for processing all tender decisions valued at $26,525 (BD 10,000) or higher. Individual ministries and departments may still process projects valued at less than $26,525 (BD 10,000). U.S. firms report that the process is greatly improved over the previous system, though some challenges remain. A local representative with strong connections may still add value in the bidding process. In the case of manufacturing enterprises, bureaucratic procedures and red tape had historically created stumbling blocks mainly due to the lack of coordination between government ministries, which must sign off at one stage or another of the licensing procedure. In an attempt to streamline licensing and approval procedures, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce opened the Bahrain Investors Center (BIC) in October 2004 for both local and foreign companies seeking to register in Bahrain. This high-tech, customer-friendly and easy to find facility, located in one of Bahrain's largest malls, is part of a larger effort by the government to attract firms to use Bahrain as their "Gateway to the Gulf" by setting up regional operations here. The BIC is designed as a "one-stop shop" providing all commercial licensing and registration services. It houses representatives from all relevant ministries (over a dozen) and private sector representatives from the telecommunication, legal, banking, and consulting industries under one roof. Officials from the Ministry note that the BIC can process and issue 80 percent of commercial registration applications within 24 hours and another 10 percent of commercial registrations within five working days. The remaining 10 percent, mostly those having to do with health, environment, power and other essential services, are processed separately according to sector specific regulations and licenses that are issued on a case-by-case basis. Draft legislation is proposed by the Cabinet and by both the lower house (Council of Representatives) and upper houses (Shura Council) of the National Assembly. Once the government produces a draft law and submits it to the lower and upper houses of the National Assembly for approval, it is then passed to the Cabinet for the King's signature. After the King signs the law, the law is published in the Public Gazette and it enters into force. Entrenched local business interests with government influence can cause problems for potential competitors. Interpretation and application of the law sometimes varies by ministry, and may be dependent on the stature and connections of an investor's local partner, if one exists. -------------- -------------- A.9 Efficient Capital Markets and Portfolio Investment -------------- -------------- Consistent with the government of Bahrain's liberal approach to foreign investment, government policies facilitate the free flow of financial resources. Foreigners and Bahrainis alike have ready access to credit on market terms. Generally, credit terms are variable, but often are limited to 10 years for loans under $50 million. For major infrastructure investments, banks will often offer to assume a part of the risk, and Bahrain's onshore and offshore banks have shown extensive cooperation in syndicating loans for larger risks. Generally, Bahrain's banks are described as hungry for solid investment opportunities. The banking system is sound, and undergoes examination and supervision by the CBB, which has a solid international reputation. -------------- A.10 Political Violence -------------- While conditions in Bahrain are largely calm, there has been some political violence over the past several years. Bahrain is a majority Shia country with a Sunni ruling class. Some elements within the Shia community have turned to street actions -demonstrations, protests, petitions, and occasional clashes with security forces - to promote their political agendas. From late 2005 until early 2006, there were a series of confrontations between youth and police in or near Shia population centers that often resulted in violence. The clashes eventually subsided and the King has since ordered detainees picked up during confrontations released. -------------- A.11 a. Corruption -------------- According to U.S. firms, high-level corruption is sometimes an obstacle to foreign direct investment and contracting, particularly in the contract-bidding process and in operating investments. In the case of some high-value contracts, government-tendering procedures have not always been transparent and contracts have not always been decided on the basis of price and technical merit. The creation of a tender board in 2003 has largely addressed these complaints. However, petty corruption is relatively rare in Bahrain. The bureaucracy is sometimes inefficient. Giving or accepting a bribe is illegal, although the relevant laws are rarely enforced. Officials have been dismissed for blatant corruption, but it is never so stated officially. The King and Crown Prince have come out publicly in favor of reducing corruption and some Ministries have initiated clean-up efforts to reduce the problem. The expatriate business community is cautiously optimistic that there is growing transparency in the government procurement process. A law to thoroughly revamp government procurement procedures went into effect in January 2003. Bahrain is not a signatory to the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery. -------------- b. Bilateral Investment Agreements -------------- The U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement was implemented on August 1, 2006 - the first FTA between the United States and a GCC state. As of January 2006, Bahrain had bilateral investment protection agreements in place with Algeria, Turkey, China, Egypt, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Syria, Philippines and the UK. Bahrain has economic and commercial cooperation agreements with Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Italy, China, Egypt, France, Greece, India, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, the Netherlands, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and the UK. Bahrain has air transportation tax agreements with China, France, Greece, Singapore, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, U.S. and Yemen, and two transportation agreements with Syria. Bahrain has concluded double taxation agreements with Egypt, France, India, Turkey, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and Tunisia. -------------- -- c. OPIC and Other Investment Insurance Programs -------------- -- In 1987, Bahrain and the U.S. Government signed an agreement regarding activity in Bahrain by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). The agreement opened the way for extension of such OPIC facilities as investment insurance, reinsurance, and investment guarantees to U.S. private investors interested in doing business in Bahrain. -------------- d. Labor -------------- The Bahraini labor force is estimated at 320,000, roughly 57 percent of whom are expatriates. The CIA World Factbook cites 2005 unemployment (the most recent year available) at 15 percent. The Bahraini government does not maintain official unemployment statistics. However, government officials report that unemployment has dropped from 15 percent to 3.8 percent since January 2006 as a result of the National Employment Project (NEP). The NEP, a training and aptitude-testing initiative, seeks to match unemployed workers with suitable job openings. Another of the government's primary initiatives for combating unemployment is "Bahrainization," or the replacement of expatriate workers by Bahrainis. Certain professions, including heavy vehicle drivers, have been reserved for Bahraini nationals since 2002. Laws creating the Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) and the Labor Fund were passed and implemented in 2006. The LMRA is chaired by the Labor Minister and will take over the management of all aspects of the expatriate work force from the Ministry of Labor. The Labor Fund is chaired by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and will be a depository of funds collected from labor fees that will then be used to provide further training for Bahraini workers. Labor market reforms established a phased fee to be paid to the government by employers of foreign workers with a view toward equalizing the business costs of hiring expatriate versus national personnel. The LMRA is expected to be fully operational by mid-2007. The Ministry of Labor has also begun working with local companies, 250 of which have participated thus far, to raise the skill level and increase the productivity of their workers through training, while supplementing their salaries to reach a total of 200 BD monthly. After six months of this supplement from the Ministry, companies have pledged to maintain the salary level at 200 BD. The Ministry has also begun registration for a national unemployment insurance program that will include both Bahraini citizens who are between jobs and new graduates and school dropouts who are seeking first employment. The government seeks to establish Bahrain as a regional center for human resource development. Bahrain has over 50 training institutes that offer training in a variety of areas such as hospitality, information technology, business studies, English language studies, and banking. Major training institutes include the Bahrain Institute for Banking and Finance (BIBF),Bahrain Training Institute (BTI),KPMG, and the British Council. Both educational and vocational training curricula have been criticized recently for not adequately preparing Bahrainis for the workforce. The government is making concerted efforts to turn this situation around. Another major step that the government is undertaking is development of the labor union movement. Unions first became legal in 2002 and the government is in the process of bringing its labor codes into compliance with ILO core labor standards. In 2006, the government ratified different legislation to promote labor rights in Bahrain in line with the Free Trade Agreement requirements. One of the main laws is the protection of trade union activists against dismissal. A Prime Ministerial decree was issued in November 2006 that banned strikes in 12 sectors. -------------- e. Foreign Trade Free Zones/Ports -------------- Mina Salman, Bahrain's major port, provides a free transit zone to facilitate the duty-free import of equipment and machinery. The North Sitra Industrial Estate is an industrial free zone. Work on Bahrain's new Khalifa bin Salman Seaport in Hidd, which will serve the Kingdom's emerging manufacturing facilities and light industries, is scheduled to be completed by September 2008. Khalifa Bin Salman Port will have substantial room for growth over the current capacity at Mina Salman. Furthermore, with a draft alongside of 15 meters, the port will be able to handle vessels up to Post-Panamax size. Foreign-owned firms have the same investment opportunities in these zones as Bahraini companies. A 1999 law requires that investors in industrial, or industry-related, zones launch a project within one year from the date of receiving the land, and development will have to conform to the specifications, terms and drawings submitted with the application. Changes are not permitted without approval from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. In December 2006, the Bahraini Government and Al Khaleej Development Company (Tameer) announced the development of the 1.7 million square meter Bahrain Industrial Wharf, located in the Hidd industrial area. The public-private project provides direct access to major sea, air and road networks. The wharf is divided into four major sectors, each fully equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure to meet the demands of businesses. The sectors are: the Industrial Park of around 800,000 sqm., which will accommodate both medium and small industries; the Logistics Park of around 190,000 sqm., zoned for warehousing, storage, cold storage and redistribution of goods; the strategic Business Park of 320,000 sqm., well suited for low-rise office blocks, training centers, conference halls and other commercial facilities, and the Residential Park, which has an approximate area of 70,000 sqm. and will accommodate a park management center and living quarters for employees including workers and middle management along with a hotel. Customs duty exemption is also included on the following: capital goods, goods for re-export, raw materials for manufacturing, semi-finished commodities imported for further processing, and imports required for development projects. -------------- f. Foreign Direct Investment Statistics -------------- Foreign investments in Bahrain range from partial foreign ownership of large parastatals in the oil and telecommunications sectors to restaurant franchises. As the economy is virtually tax-free, the government does not maintain detailed statistics on foreign direct investment flows. US investments to Bahrain in 2005 reached $194 million, marking and increase from $180 million in 2004. FDI data is supplied below. U.S. Direct Investment in Bahrain (in millions of U.S. dollars) 1999: 37 2000: 39 2001: 46 2002: 70 2003: 144 2004: 180 2005: 194 -------------- US Investments in Bahrain -------------- -- According to U.S. Embassy records, approximately 180 U.S. companies were operating in Bahrain as of August 2006. U.S. investments in Bahrain are divided by sectors, and are listed below: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT): -- In July 2005, Microsoft, Bahrain Training Institute (BTI), Esterad Investment Company, Bahrain Internet Society (BIS), and the Bahrain Institute of Technology and Bahrain Development Bank, signed a $1.3 billion deal with the Bahrain Financial Harbor development to co-market IT, upgrade skills, and support services of the Bahrain Financial Harbor Development. This project was endorsed by the Ministry of Labor. -- Microsoft Bahrain launched its "B-OnLine" initiative in November 2004. The B-OnLine initiative is designed to address the obstacles faced by Bahraini SMEs in acquiring and using the latest technologies for the benefit of their day-to-day operations. Microsoft works with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Batelco, and Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait to form an initiative consortium that provides the necessary advice and value-added services to support B-OnLine. -- In March 2004, Microsoft and BDO Jawad Habib were awarded Bahrain's e-investor project contract. The system offers investors and potential investors an online one-stop shop government database of information and services. -- Cisco Systems has entered into a significant technology partnership with Bahrain's Amwaj Telecom, signed in September of 2005, to provide next generation network infrastructure for Amwaj Islands' Smart City, the technological backbone of Amwaj Islands. CONSTRUCTION/ENGINEERING -- Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP was selected by the Kingdom of Bahrain to develop a set of comprehensive national planning strategies and is preparing a strategy to address and integrate Bahrain's physical, economic, social and environmental development, focusing mostly on land-use and development. -- Great Lakes Dredge & Dock is performing dredging operations in conjunction with the $464 million new Shaikh Khalifa Port in Hidd Industrial area. A $105 million dredging contract has also been awarded to US-Bahraini joint venture Great Lakes - Nass. -- Parsons provided the designer and supervising engineers for a $26 million-flyover project in Bahrain's Seef area. -- Binnie, Black and Veatch International Limited are the consultants for Phase 3 of the Hidd (Power) and Desalination Complex. The project was estimated to cost $400 million. -- Turner International and Atkins are set to start construction on the $1.5 billion Bahrain Business Bay. The Four Seasons hotel will be the centerpiece of the development. Skidmore, Owings and Merrill has completed the master plan for the first phase of the project, which is being developed by Bahrain Bay Development, a joint venture between Arcapita Bank and a Bahrain-based investment group. -- General Electric Energy, Stone and Webster and Chicago Bridge and Iron Company were among five companies that participated in the feasibility study of Kuwait Finance House's $1.3 petrochemical plant project. The planned facility will be capable of providing total power capacity of 1,000MW per hour and 30 million gallons of water per day while simultaneously producing seven key petrochemical products. These include: 345,000 tons of ethylene dichloride (EDC),564,000 tons of caustic soda, 231,000 tons of propane, 150,000 tons of butane, and 44,000 tons of gasoline in addition to some quantities of hydrogen and sulfur. Approximately 255 million standard cubic feet per day of natural gas will be required to operate the complex at full capacity. The complex is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2008. -- Bechtel was responsible for the Engineering Procurement Construction and Management (EPCM) of aluminum smelter ALBA's $1.7 billion fifth pipeline expansion project, which opened in 2005. FINANCIAL SERVICES -- The CBB has granted a license to global insurance brokerage and consulting giant, Aon Corporation, to establish Aon Re Middle East, an insurance brokerage firm in Bahrain. -- A joint venture between Bahrain-based Ithmaar Bank, US-based Overland Capital Group, Bahrain-based Gulf Finance House BSC, and Kuwait-based Gulf Investment House established The First Leasing Bank, with authorized capital of $50 million and paid-up capital of $10 million. HEALTH -- Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate - Bahrain (a partnership between the Joslin Diabetes Center and local businessmen). Joslin Diabetes Center Bahrain has invested a total of $9 million, and is expected to increase its investments with its new expansion plans. -- Accenture was awarded a contract to structure the Ministry of Health's Information and Communication Technology Strategy (ICT),revamping the Ministry of Health's management and organizational structure, which will include interrelated systems, functional requirements, business requirements, administrative requirements, as well as technical infrastructure requirements. The Ministry of Health's E-Health project initiative has yet to be finalized by the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs. INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING -- Kraft Foods is investing roughly $200 million in a new cheese and powdered beverage production plant at the Bahrain International Investment Park in Hidd. The official announcement was made in July 2006. -- Tactics Middle East is setting up a $60m car parts factory near the Bahrain International Circuit. Foreign/non-US investments: INDUSTRIAL: -- Aluminum Bahrain (ALBA) and the Gulf Petrochemical Industries Complex (GPIC),each of which is owned as a joint investment by several Gulf States. -- The Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY),which is jointly owned by Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq (participation frozen) and Libya (participation frozen). -- A Saudi company has been granted a license to form a $92.8 million operation to manufacture laptops. Riyadh-based Arab Values is currently undergoing negotiations with Japanese manufacturers to select a suitable branding partner, who will also provide technical expertise and other support. -- Tabreed Bahrain, a subsidiary of the UAE company, has signed its largest-ever contract in the Kingdom to provide cooling services to Bahrain Financial Harbor (BFH). The project, which will be fed by the company's North Shore District Cooling Network, will provide about 30,000 tons of refrigeration to the entire $1.3 billion Bahrain Financial Harbor development. Tabreed Bahrain was set up in 2004 and is a joint venture between UAE-headquartered National Cooling Company PJSC (Tabreed),Esterad Investment Company and AA Bin Hindi Group. -- Germany's high performance sports car maker, RUF Automobile, will set up a joint venture factory in Bahrain, the first car manufacturing plant in the Gulf region. A cornerstone-laying ceremony took place on location at the Bahrain International Circuit Business Park in Sakhir on March 8, 2006. INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT): -- Britain's Cable and Wireless' 20 percent holding in Batelco was sold in late 2006 to the government-owned Mumtalakat and Bahrain's Pension Fund. -- MTC-Vodafone was awarded the Kingdom's first mobile operator license in 2003, with a total investment of $160 million. MTC-Vodafone Bahrain is 40% owned by Bahraini investors and 60% by MTC Kuwait. INFRASTRUCTURE: -- Amwaj Islands tourism project is jointly owned by Bahraini, Kuwaiti and Saudi corporate and individual investors. -- The $600 million tourism project of Al Areen Desert Spa and Resort is owned by the Government of Bahrain, Gulf Finance House, and various other investors. -- The development of the $1.3 billion Bahrain Financial Harbor project is owned by Gulf Finance House as well as individual and corporate GCC investors. -- UAE-based regional property developer Majid Al Futtaim Investments has invested $398 million in a 140,000 square meter "City Center" Mall in Bahrain. Al Futtaim Investments has signed another $23.4 million agreement with Bahrain Cinema Company to equip and lease 20 cinema screens for their Mega Cinema Complex in the Bahrain City Center Mall. -- Kuwait-based Rasmal Holding Company in June 2006 launched the $300 million Sarab Al Areen development project in Bahrain. The project will include a mall, residential units, a commercial zone and a hotel. The announcement was made in June 2006 and is set to be completed at the end of 2008. -- Kuwait-based Gulf Holding Company in July 2006 launched the $450 million residential and commercial Villamar at the Harbor, located at the Bahrain Financial Harbor. Villamar will consist of the Twisting Towers, the Floating Villas and the Terraced Podium. Scheduled for completion in June 2009, the development will comprise a total of 494 one-to-four bedroom apartments, 54 villas and 6 penthouses. -- Ossis Property announced in August 2006 that it will build a business park on Bahrain's $1 billion Amwaj Islands development. The 76,000 square foot park will feature offices and amenities in a landscaped setting. The project is divided into two phases, with the north section set for completion in late 2007. FINANCIAL AND BANKING SERVICES: -- Abu Dhabi Investment House (ADIH) was licensed by the CBB to start the first Islamic investment bank for women in Bahrain with an authorized capital of $1 billion and a paid up capital of $500 million, in June 2006. Shareholders include Qatar Islamic Bank, and Kuwait Investment Company, and other individuals. -- Bahrain-based Ithmaar Bank announced in June 2006 a $2 billion Islamic private equity fund that will be invested in infrastructure projects worth over $20 billion. Ithmaar will invest about $750 million in at least three different projects in the Kingdom in addition to four projects in China. The fund is under formation and is likely to be based in Bahrain, and will be managed by Dubai-based Abraaj Capital and co-sponsored by Bahrain-based Ithmaar Bank and Deutsche Bank. The key targeted sectors for the fund will be oil and gas, petrochemicals, telecom, power, water, roads, healthcare and education. The combined investment opportunity components reportedly exceed $1 trillion. -- Abu Dhabi Investment House is investing $86 million in The Lagoon, which will consist of eight low-rise buildings, housing restaurants, cafes and other retail outlets, and a 1-km walkway that encircles the lagoon in Amwaj Islands. -- United International Bank was granted a license by the CBB to operate as an Islamic investment bank, with an extended capital of $2.5 billion and paid up capital of $291 million. Shareholders will include high-level GCC investors. -- First Gulf Bank was granted a license by the CBB to operate as an Islamic investment bank, with an extended capital of $1 billion, and paid up capital of $100 million. Investors include Venture Capital and 23 GCC investors. -- Al Salaam Bank was licensed by the Government of Bahrain as an Islamic banking service with a paid capital of $300 million, in December 2005. Al Salam Bank's main investors in Bahrain are Emaar Properties, Amlak Finance, Dubai Investment Group, Dubai Holding, Lebanese Canadian Bank, Al Salaam Bank in Sudan and Aman Insurance and Re-insurance Company, in addition to a large number of establishments, companies and individuals from Bahrain, UAE and Saudi Arabia. TOURISM: -- UAE-based Abraaj Capital and Bahrain's Ithmaar Bank have announced the formation of The Serai Group on July 5, 2006. The Serai Group is a joint venture company that develops and manages an international chain of shariah-compliant hotels. The Bahrain-based company will be capitalized at $500 million, partially funded by Abraaj and Ithmaar. OIL, GAS, WATER, AND ELECTRICITY: -- The Ministry of Water and Electricity sold Hidd Power and Water Station in January 2006 to a consortium of three international companies, Japan's Sumitomo Corp, UK-based International Power and Belgian utility Suez-Tractebel, a subsidiary of the French energy conglomerate Suez, at a cost of $1.3 billion. The power and water station will sell power and water back to the government for 20 years. The project is expected to provide 20 percent of Bahrain's power and 65 percent of its water needs. -- The Bahrain National Gas Company "Banagas" was formed by Amiri Decree in March 1979 and is 75 percent owned by the Government of Bahrain with the remaining 25 percent equally owned by the Arab Petroleum Investment Corporation and Caltex Bahrain. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** ZIADEH