Initiative by AmCham Bahrain to boost textile trade between US and Bahrain via FTA

The American Chamber of Commerce Bahrain (AmCham Bahrain), an independent, private, non-profit, non-political business association has taken up the initiative to enhance textile trade and business using the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain. AmCham held a meeting with West Point Home (WPH), a leading textile manufacturer in the US and an active member of AmCham Bahrain. The meeting was attended by Mr. Billy Harris, Vice President International Manufacturing and Operations of WPH and Mr. Qays Hatim Zu’bi, President of AmCham Bahrain. The focus of discussions at the meeting was business opportunities and job creation by WPH in Bahrain and role of AmCham to support WPH’s efforts to build their network and further their business development efforts throughout the MENA region including the introduction of their locally produced products to hotels in the regional markets. WPH’s Vice President, Mr. Billy Harris, expressed their interest to join hands with AmCham Bahrain to further extend their business in the region. He said that, in 2006, WPH had acquired Manama Textile and turned WestPoint Bahrain into the largest home textile manufacturer in the region. AmCham Bahrain has advocated on WPH’s behalf for an extension to the FTA TPL, which would enables them to ship up to 50 million yards annually to the US. AmCham Bahrain would in turn support WPH and other AmCham members to both develop their businesses and to invest in the Kingdom. Mr. Qays Hatim Zu’bi, President of AmCham Bahrain said that they were very impressed with what is manufactured here in Bahrain and how WestPoint Bahrain supports job creation and growth both Bahrain and the US. They have also recently hosted a visiting US Senate delegation to highlight how companies have successfully used the FTA to their benefit. The American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain (AmCham Bahrain), was formed in 2006 to capitalize on the newly implemented Free Trade Agreement between the US and Bahrain with the purpose to help companies take advantage of the new markets and benefits that came from this significant agreement. AmCham Bahrain is a member of the US Chamber of Commerce and part of the global network of American Chambers of Commerce which includes AmCham MENA, MECACC (Middle East Council of American Chambers of Commerce), and the US-Bahrain Business Council. MECCAC, the regional network of AmChams, works to foster increased collaboration amongst the members and works on promoting greater business opportunities between the US and the Gulf region.