Israel, Bahrain launch talks on free trade agreement

Israel and Bahrain have initiated talks on establishing a free trade agreement, two years after the countries normalized their relations, the Economy Ministry says.

The ministry tweets a photo of Economy Minister Orna Barbivai meeting her Bahraini counterpart Zayed bin Rashid Alzayani yesterday in Manama.

שרת הכלכלה והתעשייה, אורנה ברביבאי ושר התעשייה והמסחר של בחריין, זאייד בין ראשיד אל זייאני השיקו אתמול במנאמה, בחריין, את פתיחת המשא ומתן לכינון הסכם סחר חופשי pic.twitter.com/JZu7k0i2WB

— משרד הכלכלה והתעשייה (@misrad_calcala) September 20, 2022

“A free trade agreement with Bahrain as part of strengthening broader regional cooperation will strengthen economic relations between the countries, increase the scope of investments, remove trade barriers and create opportunities for entrepreneurs and companies in Israel and Bahrain,” Barbivai says, according to a translation by Reuters.