Bahrain’s Massive Deals Cement Long-Term U.S. Partnership

During the official visit of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, a landmark $17 billion investment package was proudly announced, signaling a bold new chapter in Bahrain-U.S. relations.

The highlight of this announcement is a $4.6 billion agreement between Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air, Boeing, and GE to purchase 18 brand-new Boeing aircraft. The deal is set to support Bahrain’s rising ambitions as a global aviation hub and expand its air connectivity — including the newly announced direct Gulf Air flights to New York’s JFK Airport, launching in October 2025.

The announcement came during a special reception hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C., attended by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and addressed by HE Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and National Economy. The event brought together leaders from both Bahraini and American private sectors, aiming to build on decades of cooperation.

Driving Growth Across Multiple Sectors

HE Shaikh Salman revealed that, through Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat, the Kingdom is also exploring over $2 billion in investments within the U.S. aluminum industry. The goal: to create jobs in downstream sectors and establish new industrial parks that benefit both nations, powered by Bahrain’s deep expertise in aluminum manufacturing.

As a financial gateway to the Gulf, Bahrain is also planning to inject $10.7 billion into U.S. private equity and financial services — reaffirming its role as a trusted investment partner. This will help accelerate mutual prosperity and strengthen cross-border capital flows, particularly in emerging areas such as fintech and venture capital.

Another notable announcement includes $200 million in digital infrastructure investments through partnerships with leading U.S. tech companies like Oracle, Cisco, and SubCom. The agreements — some of which will be formally signed during this visit — are set to further Bahrain’s vision of becoming a technology-driven economy.

A New Era of Trade and Trust

Speaking at the event, HE Shaikh Salman highlighted Bahrain’s position as one of the most dynamic and diversified economies in the Gulf:

“In 2024, we saw one of the region’s fastest growth rates. The World Bank projects our economy will continue expanding by more than 3.5% in 2025. Today, non-oil sectors make up over 86% of Bahrain’s GDP.”

Bahrain’s openness to global trade is equally impressive. With trade volumes rising by 31% in the past five years and foreign direct investment growing by over 40%, the Kingdom has attracted more than $46 billion in investments across logistics, tourism, manufacturing, and finance.

Bahrain also holds the distinction of being the first GCC nation to sign a U.S. Free Trade Agreement back in 2006. Since then, American companies like Amazon Web Services, Citibank, MongoDB, and WestPoint Home have set up operations in the Kingdom, drawn by its favorable regulatory framework, skilled workforce, and regional market access.

“This isn’t just about investment,” HE Shaikh Salman emphasized. “It’s about trust. It’s about shared values. Bahrain is becoming a launchpad for American enterprise.”

Laying the Groundwork for the Future

The Crown Prince attributed the Kingdom’s strong economic momentum to the forward-looking vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the dedication of Team Bahrain — a reflection of national unity and purpose.

Also in attendance was HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Court, who supported the delegation in strengthening business-to-business engagements.

The new investments and partnerships announced during this visit are not just numbers on a spreadsheet — they represent a deepening bond between Bahrain and the United States, rooted in economic growth, innovation, and long-term cooperation.

As Bahrain steps confidently onto the global stage, this visit marks a significant milestone — turning vision into action, and ambition into opportunity.