Bahrain, U.S. Sign $17B Trade and Tech Deals

Bahrain and U.S. companies have signed approximately $17 billion in investment agreements during Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa's visit to Washington, targeting sectors such as aviation, technology, and industry. Notably, a $7 billion deal involves Gulf Air purchasing new aircraft and engines from Boeing and GE. Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat, pledged $2 billion to create jobs in aluminum-related U.S. industries, with further investments in U.S. aluminum and LNG production. Cisco will enhance Bahrain’s government digital infrastructure, and a planned 800-kilometer submarine cable will link Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq. The agreements are expected to generate 30,000 U.S. jobs and support Bahrain’s ambitions as a regional investment hub. These deals expand on the nations' longstanding cooperation, including a 2006 free-trade agreement and Bahrain hosting the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet.