U.S., Bahrain start free trade agreement negotiations

U.S., Bahrain start free trade agreement negotiations    The United States and Bahrain have started negotiations to lower tariffs and barriers and expand trade between the countries.
   “An FTA (free trade agreement) with Bahrain will promote the (Bush administration’s} initiative to advance economic reforms in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf and to establish a Middle East Free Trade Area (MEFTA) by 2013,” said U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick in a statement.
   U.S. goods exports to Bahrain in 2002 totaled $419.2 million, including planes, machinery, vehicles, pharmaceutical products, toys, games and sports equipment. Agricultural commodities that could benefit from an FTA include U.S. meats, fruits and vegetables, cereals, and dairy products, the USTR said.
   Bahrain’s goods exports to the United States in 2002 totaled $395.1 million, including apparel and clothing, aluminum, fertilizers, organic chemicals, mineral fuels and oils, plastics and electrical machinery.
   The Bush administration plans to conclude a free trade agreement with Bahrain by the end of the year.