Bahrain EDB Concludes Strategic U.S. Visit to Strengthen Investment Ties

The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) has successfully concluded a five-day strategic visit to the United States, led by H.E. Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of the EDB, alongside a delegation of senior officials focused on promoting Bahrain’s investment opportunities.

The visit, which covered Los Angeles and San Francisco, aimed to showcase Bahrain’s competitive advantages and business-friendly environment to leading American corporations — particularly in the financial services, manufacturing, and ICT sectors.

Throughout the mission, the delegation held a series of high-level meetings and networking sessions with potential investors and business leaders, highlighting Bahrain’s open economy, robust regulatory ecosystem, and skilled national workforce — all key factors positioning the Kingdom as a gateway for growth across the Gulf region.

As part of its international outreach efforts, the EDB also engaged with major U.S. media outlets and secured an interview with Bloomberg. During the discussion, H.E. Noor Alkhulaif reaffirmed the enduring strength of Bahrain-U.S. relations, emphasizing the Kingdom’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and positioning Bahrain as a global hub for business and technology.

In San Francisco, the EDB hosted a networking dinner in collaboration with the MIT Technology Review, a subsidiary of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The event featured opening remarks by H.E. Alkhulaif and keynote participation by Elizabeth Bramson, CEO and Publisher of the MIT Technology Review, alongside prominent executives from Silicon Valley’s leading AI and technology companies.

Moderated by Brian Bryson, Director of Content and Events at MIT Technology Review, the discussions explored the role of artificial intelligence in driving innovation, productivity, and competitiveness across global markets. The session also spotlighted Bahrain’s achievements in advancing a knowledge-based and digital economy.

Bahrain and the United States share a strategic economic partnership spanning over a century, further strengthened through the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), which deepens cooperation in emerging technologies, trade, and investment.

The U.S. Trade Zone, located near Bahrain International Airport and the King Fahd Causeway, serves as a dedicated hub for American companies, enabling them to leverage the U.S.–Bahrain Free Trade Agreement signed in 2006 — the first such agreement between the U.S. and a GCC nation — to boost bilateral trade and industrial collaboration.

Reflecting the depth of these ties, U.S. direct investments in Bahrain grew from USD 387.4 million in 2020 to USD 537 million in 2024. The U.S. ranked as Bahrain’s tenth-largest investor in 2024, contributing USD 37.8 million, primarily across the ICT, financial services, and manufacturing sectors. Major U.S. firms such as Amazon Web Services, American Express, Citibank, Cisco, Kimberly-Clark, and Mondelēz continue to expand their presence in the Kingdom, underscoring its supportive business environment.

This strategic visit reinforces Bahrain’s ongoing commitment to attracting high-value foreign investment and strengthening economic cooperation with the United States. With the support of Team Bahrain, the EDB continues to cement the Kingdom’s reputation as a regional hub for finance, advanced manufacturing, and digital innovation — backed by competitive costs and world-class connectivity to regional and global markets.