’FTA will help Thai businessmen enter US market’
Bahrain Tribune
’FTA will help Thai businessmen enter US market’
23 September 2004
THE signing of Bahrain-US free trade agreement (FTA) will offer numerous opportunities to the businessmen of Thailand to reach the huge US market by using Bahrain as a base in the region, the Minister of Commerce, Ali Saleh Al Saleh said yesterday, writes Mehmood Rafique.
Speaking at the signing of the MoU on the establishment of a Thai Business Centre in Bahrain, Al Saleh said that Bahrain was well-positioned to offer opportunities to Thai companies to use it as a main source of business activities beyond the Gulf boundaries.
"With the signing of the MoU, the centre, conceived by both leaderships three years ago, has become a reality. Bahrain offers numerous investment opportunities and Thai businessmen can use our excellent transportation facilities to reach the Iraqi market which is the biggest emerging consumer market in the Arab region," he said. "The sectors like construction, healthcare, investments and services will be of great benefit for Thai businessmen," Al Saleh said.
Miknas said the establishment of the centre would cement relations between both kingdoms. "Bahrain has been viewed as an important bridge between the East and West for trade and commercial activities over the decades.
"The signing of the FTA with the US and Bahrain’s excellent ties with other countries affirm the Kingdom’s importance in this regard," he said.
