Chief negotiators in the US-Bahrain free trade discussions announced the successful conclusion of the second round of talks March 5, 2004, citing substantial progress in building upon the first round, which were held in Bahrain in January.
"We are confident that the round of talks in Washington will provide a great sense of satisfaction to both countries and hopefully will produce a mutually beneficial and high level of access," said Bahraini Minister of Finance and National Economy Abdullah Saif, speaking in Washington on a conference call with Assistant US Trade Representative Catherine Novelli.
"No doubt this free trade agreement will build on our political, economic, cultural and strategic relations," he added. "It will certainly create an environment for free trade and foreign direct investment for investors from both countries."
Both Novelli and Saif voiced their expectations that negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement would be concluded in the first half of 2004. Novelli said that the next step would involve meetings among the technical groups, to be held over the coming weeks, and that the chief negotiators are tentatively looking at May for the next round of discussions.
Both Novelli and Saif voiced their expectations that negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement would be concluded in the first half of 2004. — (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
