USA in Bahrain - July 2022

USA in Celebrating the USA and Bahrain’s Friendship and Commercial Association July 4, 2022

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CONTENTS 4 A Distinguished Diplomat

US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, His Excellency Steven C. Bondy, speaks to Bahrain This Month about his objectives as ambassador, the cooperation between the two countries with regards to regional maritime security, and more.

6 Leading the Way

The American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain (AmCham) is a non-profit organisation that promotes trade and commerce between the two countries. We spoke to Deputy President of AmCham Bahrain and Vice Chairman of JP Morgan Chase Bank, Ali Moosa, who gave us an insight into AmCham’s role in bolstering ties, the benefits of the US-Bahrain FTA and more.

8 Tasting Success

Wassim Farhoud is the brainchild behind Amalfi Foods, a new factory based in Bahrain which produces delectable ready-to-eat pancakes. We spoke to the Managing Director to find out more about how AmCham has helped his business grow.

10 Educational Excellence

Access Training Center (ATC), which is affiliated with the American Cultural & Educational Centre (ACEC) was founded in 2003 to establish a high-quality American-labelled English language educational facility in order to assist in the economic and social development of Bahrain. We spoke to Liam John Bellamy, Director and Head of Academics, to find out more about the educational institution.

12 Exploring the United States

The United States is a diverse, beautiful country with a multitude of climates, landscapes, iconic landmarks and cities bred from wide cultural influences. Here are some of the finest tourist hotspots in case you’re thinking of taking a trip in the near future!

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July 2022

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USA in Bahrain

A Distinguished Diplomat

US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, His Excellency Steven C. Bondy, speaks to Bahrain This Month about his objectives as ambassador, the cooperation between the two countries with regards to regional maritime security, and more.

Your Excellency, can you give us a brief summary of your career to date?

First and foremost, I am honoured to be serving as the United States ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain. This is the culmination of a decades long career, and there is no place that I would rather be. There is nothing I would rather be doing than serving as the US ambassador in Bahrain. I have been with the 4 July 2022

diplomatic service of the United States for 31 years. In all of that time, my career has been focused on working in and on the issues of the broader Middle East. I had the great pleasure to serve in Bahrain earlier in 2004 to 2007 when I ran the Political and Economic Section here at the embassy. I’ve also served in other many other regional countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, UAE, Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt.

You were confirmed as the US ambassador appointed to the Kingdom of Bahrain by the Senate in December 2021. What are your key observations during your time here?

Well, I’ve had the great pleasure to have visited every one of the Arab countries, and I can say with all truthfulness that Bahrain is the most welcoming place I’ve ever been.

Perhaps it’s the tradition of engaging the www.bahrainthismonth.com

USA in Bahrain

outside world through trade and commerce, but I can say that Bahrainis are incredibly warm people. They have made my wife who is here with me, and I, feel like we are part of the community. During the month of Ramadan, we attended several events at Bahraini homes where we learned about cultures, traditions, and the religion and we just felt very much at home. I don’t want to compare Bahrain with other countries other than to say, this is where I am happy to be.

What do you consider to be your main objectives during your time here?

So, representing the Biden administration and having been confirmed by the United States Senate and also representing the people of the United States, I have many priorities. I would identify them first and foremost as protecting and strengthening the national security of the United States through our partnership with our very good friends and allies here in Bahrain. As you know, the Fifth Fleet and US Navy Central Command are based here and have been for decades. We really consider Bahrain to be a lynchpin in the projection of US power throughout the region, in order to preserve the security of the United States and that of Bahrain and our allies in the region.

I’ve spoken about threats to our mutual national security. Of course, I’ll say straight out that the greatest threat is from Iran. So, we are working with our friends here in Bahrain, along with other countries in order to deter Iran from threatening countries in the region including our friends and our allies. That leads to another point, which is Bahrain’s historic and courageous decision to normalise its relationship with the state of Israel through the Abraham Accords. As you well know, Bahrain and Israel are two of our closest friends, allies and partners in the region and, here at the embassy we are doing everything we can in order to strengthen that relationship across the broad spectrum of activities, be it commercial, technological, educational health science, or harder subjects of military and security.

I’m also here to promote US-Bahrain trade and commercial relations as they’re underpinning the US Free Trade Agreement, in addition to promoting other civil society activities. And, of course, here at the embassy, we devote a lot of time, effort and energy to promoting people-to-people ties - that is the solid foundation upon which our governmental relations are built. www.bahrainthismonth.com

What are your thoughts regarding the US’ role in the 34-nation Bahrain-based Naval force?

What have been some of the most significant achievements of the US Navy in terms of maritime protection, the war on drugs, etc.?

Truly Bahrain is the fundamental relationship the United States has in the region in order to patrol the maritime environment, ensure the safe transport of commercial shipping, and protect our friends and our allies our national security. Bahrain is the host of the Fifth Fleet, which is incredibly important, but in addition to hosting, Bahrain is an avid participant.

I would say a leader among our combined maritime forces - mostly involved in combatting piracy and smuggling of people, weapons and narcotics. For example, in the counter narcotics realm in 2021, the combined maritime forces actually interdicted USD500 million worth of illegal narcotics that were being smuggled on the high seas. That is a record by far, and it’s just an example of the type of things that we are doing together. In fact, Bahrain has commanded elements of the combined maritime forces. So, they’re not just hosting, and not just participating, but leading, June is observed as Pride month worldwide.

Last year, the US embassy hoisted the Pride flag at the embassy premises which proved to be very controversial. This year, the embassy has posted about Pride month on its official Instagram account garnering a similar reaction. What is the embassy’s stance on Pride month and the LGBTQ community in general?

Thank you for raising that question. I want to be very clear that we address LGBTQ rights as a part of our broader human rights strategy. Unfortunately, members of this community and their families to some degree have been marginalised and discriminated against throughout history, including in the United States. And so, this administration’s policy is very much to be proactive in protecting the equality of members of the LGBTQ community.

Let me just say also from a personal point of view, I have members of my family who are members of this community, and my guess is that almost everyone reading this also has family members that are part of this community. What we are seeking to do is ensure that these individuals feel comforted and feel safe and secure to know that the United States government and people support

them. I also want to be very clear that we are not trying to change people’s minds from a religious, moral or ethical point of view. Rather, what we’re saying is, “These are colleagues.

These are family members. These are friends.

Let’s treat everyone with the respect that they deserve.”

Can you tell us about the US Navy’s recent introduction of a pilot mental healthcare programme? How necessary is this approach for the mental health and wellbeing of US military personnel deployed in Bahrain in particular?

As I’ve had the great honour to serve four years as a diplomat embedded in the United States military, what I can tell you is that the fast and high pace of deployments since 2001 have led to great stresses and strains within our forces. So, anything the United States military can do to address the pressures that service members are under, I’m going to support. Even more broadly here within our embassy, we ensure that our staff understand that the pressures that they feel being far from home are things that we want to address before they become big problems to ensure that our personnel know that there are professionals that they can reach out to at any time. I would say the same thing about all of your readers - encourage them to talk to anyone that they need to when they feel their burdens are becoming too heavy.

You’ve had several celebrated achievements during your career, which of these do you think has helped you most in your role as ambassador?

Well, I’ve been at this a long time, and I can say that every job that I’ve had, every step that I’ve taken has contributed to my ability to serve effectively as ambassador, but to pinpoint one particular thing that I am proud of; I happened to be serving in Jordan in 1994 when the late King Hussain decided to make peace with Israel, and I was involved in those negotiations and the culmination of the signing of that peace treaty. That’s why I am so happy to be here at this time with His Majesty’s courageous decision to make peace with Israel and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s implementation of that decision. I see this as coming full circle in my career, and I want to do everything I can to ensure that the Bahraini government and Bahraini people see their normalisation of relations with Israel as a complete success.

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USA in Bahrain

LEADING THE WAY The American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain (AmCham) is a non-profit organisation that promotes trade and commerce between the two countries. This month we spoke to Deputy President of AmCham Bahrain and Vice Chairman of JP Morgan Chase Bank, Ali Moosa, who gave us an insight into AmCham’s role in bolstering ties, the benefits of the US-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement and more.

Could you please give us a summary of your career to date?

I joined the firm back in March, 1993. At the time, the bank was operating in the Kingdom under the Chase Manhattan bank which was rebranded to JP Morgan Chase Bank post the merger in 1999.

Over the past 29 years with the firm, I have had various responsibilities and covered many markets. Since I started, I covered Financial Institutions and Public Sector entities in the GCC. My coverage was subsequently expanded to the MENA region and for the last 10 years, I have been responsible for Central Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA Region) for Financial Institution, Corporates and Public Sector for the Transactional Banking business.

More recently in 2020, I was nominated to be Global Head of business in New York to become the first Global Vice Chairman for Payments businesses in addition to my Chief Officer responsibility for Bahrain, Lebanon and Egypt.

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USA in Bahrain Today, I have three key senior responsibilities: the first one is Vice Chairman for Global Payments within Corporate and Investment Bank, CEEMEA Regional Executive for Transactional Banking Business, and Chief Country Officer, Bahrain, Egypt and Lebanon. I am also serving my country by being on the board of multiple corporates and government entities, including Bahrain EDB, Future Generation Fund, AmCham, Bahrain Associations of Banks and Gulf Air. How did you become involved with AmCham?

JP Morgan has been an active member of AmCham for many years. AmCham has provided us with an excellent platform to engage with both, the US business community in Bahrain and the international finance community. Pre-COVID, JP Morgan sponsored an annual luncheon with AmCham that brought together the leaders of the financial community and we look forward to resuming this again.

What are your specific roles and responsibilities as AmCham Deputy President?

As Deputy President of AmCham I support the President and fill in when he is not available.

In addition, along with the rest of our committed board members, I contribute to the vision and mission of AmCham.

Recently I led the AmCham Bahrain delegation to the AmCham MENA regional forum in Amman Jordan. This was the first in-person regional forum since COVID and it was an important and successful opportunity to reestablish our partnership with the 12 participating AmChams. Most people just think of America and Bahrain but AmCham connects its members to a regional network of business leaders. This regional community of AmChams is a useful benefit for members expanding our network far beyond Bahrain’s borders.

How do you feel AmCham has bolstered relations between Bahrain and the USA? AmCham has provided an excellent forum for US businesses in Bahrain to have a collective voice for suggested solutions on issues that impact business to both, the US and Bahraini governments. AmCham provides a direct link to the largest and most powerful business associations in the world – the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC. I believe that in the coming months we will be focusing on sponsoring and conducting more trips to the US for relevant entities from Bahrain to meet with the US Chamber of Commerce, but most importantly, to meet US investors that are interested to do business in Bahrain.

What events does AmCham organise in order to boost networking and business?

AmCham is very active and offers on average www.bahrainthismonth.com

about 25 to 30 events a year for its members – including business networking luncheons with high level government and industry speakers, roundtable discussions with visiting VIPs on current topics of interest, business tours and more.

Since in-person events are critical for AmCham, we are very happy that we have resumed in-person events where everybody can participate, and appreciate the networking and dialogue achieved at these events.

What is the status of the US and Bahrain’s Free Trade Agreement at the moment? Has this been a successful element of the relationship between the two countries and for Bahraini exporters in particular?

Absolutely. The US-Bahrain FTA came into force in 2006 and it is alive and well in 2022.

It does not expire and both Bahraini and US companies alike have benefitted from the FTA over the years.

It has also enhanced the total export and import of goods between the countries. There is very good news on Bahraini exports of goods to the United States – which totalled USD1.23 billion in 2021, surpassing preCOVID levels and up 285 percent from 2005 (pre-FTA). US exports to Bahrain totalled USD934 million in 2021, remaining behind pre-COVID trade. This is a trade balance of USD297 million in Bahrain’s favour, which shows Bahrain is certainly benefitting from the FTA. The purpose of the FTA is to increase trade and economic opportunities for both countries. Under the FTA, both governments removed tariffs and duties on all traded consumer, agricultural, and industrial products, and liberalised the market for services. The FTA also supports bilateral investment, facilitating job creation in both countries.

Has your accomplished career in banking and finance helped you in any specific way for your role at AmCham?

As I get closer to the 30-year milestone with the corporate and investment bank, the in-depth international banking experiences in multiple jurisdictions and the diversity of banking products and services, managing critical roles and leadership positions within the firm was truly invaluable.

Without a doubt, my extensive career in Banking with JPMorgan has brought a huge wealth of experience to the table in order to drive and take AmCham’s priorities forward but I must also give credit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. The dynamics of this country are truly unique and the leadership of this great country recognises and embraces talent and encourages Bahrainis to become successful in their respective industries to ensure that such contributions of successful Bahrainis are recognised on an international level.

How healthy is the banking and finance sector in Bahrain right now? Does the economic crisis worldwide have a bearing on the economy here?

Bahrain naturally cannot ignore what is happening on the international stage - all countries globally are facing the same economic challenges. When speaking about the banking sector in Bahrain in particular, the Central Bank’s balanced regulatory measures continue to support and protect the sector in facing such challenges while providing an environment that supports innovation and new banking solutions.

Bahrain dynamics are unique in terms of its ability to be nimble, versatile and adapt in order to protect its economy. A prime example was the leadership’s hugely successful management of the pandemic.

The ability to adapt and protect nationals and residents of the Kingdom with a massive contribution by the banking sector when it comes to deferred loans during this period of need. That said, there is still an opportunity for banks in the country to further optimise and increase their balance sheet efficiency through several initiatives.

In terms of inflation, the global economy is already facing record inflation levels– the global economy today is highly interconnected such that inflation in the US/ Europe will ultimately have an impact on the global community.

How attractive is Bahrain and the GCC region to American investors currently and why?

Since Bahrain is small, it can be overlooked at times – even within the region. However, once investors learn about Bahrain and what it has to offer as a business-friendly hub with its well-prepared workforce, excellent infrastructure and high-quality of life, it is seen as an attractive prospect by investors.

Bahrain’s 22 FTAs and now the two new GCC FTAs with UK and India being negotiated make Bahrain a tremendous location to establish a manufacturing hub that leverage these FTAs. Do you have anything more to add?

Most recently, Bahrain launched the US Trade Zone which is a very interesting model to attract US Investors to further leverage the FTA. This will further solidify Bahrain’s position as the US trade gateway to the other regional markets.

AmCham reaffirms the continued strategic importance of the cooperation and sees positive signs - and continues to support bilateral cooperation. In fact, earlier this year, Amcham moderated a fireside chat and dialogue between Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the US, HE Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashid Al Khalifa, and Ambassador of the US to the Kingdom of Bahrain, HE Steven Bondy.

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USA in Bahrain

TASTING SUCCESS Wassim Farhoud is the brainchild behind Amalfi Foods, a new factory based in Bahrain which produces delectable readyto-eat pancake sandwiches which are sold in shops and supermarkets across the GCC. We spoke to the Managing Director to find out more about how AmCham has helped his business grow.

The Kingdom of Bahrain’s food production industry has been growing steadily over the past decade with newcomers invigorating and modernising the approach to producing food.

One such company is the innovative Amalfi Foods, a boutique factory which started out as an idea in 2008. It was not until 2016 that the idea developed into a full-fledged business which was then launched to great success in June 2020.

Mr. Farhoud, an American who has been in Bahrain since high school, knows more than most about the relationship between the two countries and is now finding success selling an American staple food as part of a Bahraini brand.

He says: “After high school I wanted to start a business, but launching a factory is not feasible without experience and finance.

Therefore, I started out with a magazine 8 July 2022

called Gulf Auto Guide and organised the Bahrain International Motor Show.

offer products at an affordable price point without having to compromise on the quality.

“Following this, I started an events business which became the Motiv8 media company, from which Amalfi Foods also developed.”

Mr. Farhoud believes that AmCham provides good networking opportunities and that the institution clarifies many rules and regulations that are important for businesses such as Amalfi Foods to grow in the region.

“I’ve been a member of AmCham for two years, and believe it’s a great platform to build on. It organises multiple tours and events every year, where we gain lots of insight about the current market so it’s a great facilitator,” he says.

Amalfi Foods, which is inspired and modelled after Japanese baked confectionery goods, has grown to specialise in the production of baked goods and confectionary. Their ‘Fluffy’ pancakes are growing to be wildly popular due to the convenience they offer and fun brand presence. The ready-to-eat pancakes are available plain in stacks of four, or as a sandwich in three flavours.

The company is proud to have developed delicious products that are loved by the community using some of the best ingredients available on the market. Over time the company has perfected its model to

“Our aim is to export products to the United States starting in 2023 and benefit from the free trade agreement. Let’s not forget Bahrain either, which provides a solid foundation for people such as myself to build their own business with freedom, and to tap into regional markets,” he concludes. www.bahrainthismonth.com

USA in Bahrain

American Express Middle East: Over 40 years of Service Excellence and Innovation Things have come a very long way since the express company that forwarded freight and valuables in the United States in the 1850s, evolved into a company that created and sold financial products like money orders and traveller’s cheques. Following an era of international expansion, the company became an entity perhaps best known for its credit and charge cards. Today, American Express is a global payments company and its cards were first accepted in the Middle East in 1958.

In 1977, American Express established its regional headquarters in Bahrain, and since then they have been servicing their customers across 18 markets in the Middle East and North Africa.

Being headquartered in Bahrain for more than 40 years, American Express Middle East has a long-standing commitment to the local

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economy. Over the years, they have partnered and supported many government initiatives and will continue to do so in the years to come to support the Kingdom’s economy. They have an

employee base of more than 500 in the region incorporating over 30 nationalities, all focused on delivering unparalleled innovation and an unrivalled service experience.

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USA in Bahrain

Educational Excellence Access Training Center (ATC), which is affiliated with the American Cultural & Educational Centre (ACEC) was founded in 2003 to establish a high-quality American-labelled English language educational facility in order to assist in the economic and social development of Bahrain. We spoke to Liam John Bellamy, Director and Head of Academics, to find out more about the educational institution.

ACEC is one of the Kingdom’s premier American English centres and provides English language training to students of all ages and nationalities.

A secondary branch located in Juffair, Access Training Centre (ATC), was created to help adults develop their skills for the job market.

Mr. Bellamy said: “ACEC was established by the American Embassy to improve the visibility of America in terms of culture and education, and to promote American values. We do far more than teach English too, we offer courses on employability skills in a number of fields such as construction and hospitality.

“We’re going further than this too, offering courses on risk assessment, crisis management, legal issues and other advanced business courses to help managers be more effective in business and also run their operations smoothly.

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We aim to make our students assets to companies rather than just employees.”

ACEC runs eight sessions per year, each lasting five weeks. People can sign up for one session and drop in and out of the sessions as they like rather than having to commit to three, six or 12 months of one block where they can’t make every session, meaning more flexibility and less risk to students such as single mothers who might unexpectedly face issues attending regularly.

Mr. Bellamy continued: “Ultimately, we promote an authentic classroom environment where learning English as a foreign language is a very rewarding, meaningful, and effective

process. We have a strong, multicultural group of teachers who have been in Bahrain a long time so understand the local culture and provide the best environment for education.”

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bystander

St Christopher’s School Production of Matilda The marvellous St Christopher’s School production of Matilda by Roald

Dahl took place in June and welcomed over 1000 audience members. Matilda is the story about a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers who lives with cruel parents. The story follows the young girl who builds a bond with her kind teacher, Ms Honey, while highlighting the cruel antics of the school’s headmistress, Ms Trunchbull. Matilda was played by Georgia MacKellar, Miss Trunchbull by Sasha Ladki, and Miss Honey was played by Mathilde Barker.

The cast included forty-two students from Years 5 and 6 with a thirteen-strong supporting backstage crew. The students were supported by 14 Parent Volunteers and four staff volunteers as well as the Musical Director, Choreographer, Producer, Maintenance and Tech crews. The Production was proudly sponsored by Platinum Sponsor, ILA Bank, as well as Nissan and Tamimi Markets.

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USA in Bahrain

Exploring

the United States The United States is a diverse, beautiful country with a multitude of climates, landscapes, iconic landmarks and cities bred from wide cultural influences.

We’ve come up with a selection of some of the finest tourist hotspots in case you’re thinking of taking a trip in the near future!

places in the Grand Canyon of the most visited al attraction is one Canyon cuts d an Gr the er, This incredible natur the Colorado Riv by t ou d rve ges.

Ca . led d tes an United Sta tic cliff walls cape, creating drama canyon ds the lan to the o wn do int ep see de of the canyon can rim as far the run on t ing tha nd Visitors sta ridges and cliffs and look out over the , low be le mi a or flo as the eye can see.

Walt Disney World Resort This mega amusement park in Orlando is a top family attraction in the USA, and has been catering to people of all ages for decades. Opened in 1971, Walt Disney World has managed to maintain its relevance and its allure throughout the years. The resort encompasses not only the various theme parks with some of the world’s most famous rides, but it also includes water parks, Downtown Disney with shopping and theatres, and much more, from fine dining to golf.

Niagara Falls Situated along the Canada-US border, Niagara Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. The water from Lake Erie flows into Lake Ontario over these massive waterfalls, known for the great quantity of water that is constantly tumbling over the vertical drop. Niagara Falls is actually a set of three falls: It consists of the largest section, known as Horseshoe Falls, with a drop of 187 feet; a second section on the American side of the river, known as the American Falls, with a drop of 89 feet; and a much thinner section located next to the American Falls, known as Bridal Veil Falls, with a drop of 78 feet.reminisce over a fantastic meal.

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USA in Bahrain

New York City other city in the New York City is like no st be experienced to mu t tha world, and one first-time visitors, be fully appreciated. For like walking be can walking the streets famous sites at h wit , set vie mo a h throug pire State Building, every turn, from the Em Chrysler Building, to Rockefeller Plaza, the e, Times Square, Lin h Central Park, The Hig of course, the and ay, adw Bro , 5th Avenue day, take in a by ee Statue of Liberty. Sights work in g, nin eve the in w Broadway sho relax and and ll, time for shopping or a stro al. me tic tas fan a reminisce over

Las Vegas Strip Walking along the Las Vegas Strip, the main street leading through the city past the mega resorts, is like strolling through an amusement park for adults. Recreations of the New York skyline, the Eiffel Tower, the canals of Venice and many more foreign sites line this famous street. Beginning at one end with the Luxor Hotel, designed in a pyramid shape, a walk down the street will reveal an erupting volcano and dancing fountains, while inside the resorts are all kinds of oddities and entertainment. Despite its reputation as the casino capital of the world, many of the best things to see and do in Las Vegas are sights that can be seen for free.

Washington DC Washington DC is home to the oh-so-iconic White House, the official residence of the President of the United States and has been for each of them except George Washington. It was originally built

by James Hoban in 1792 and, after being burned down by British forces in 1814, was rebuilt in 1818. Tours of the White House are free, but reservations must be made a minimum of three weeks in advance. While you’re here, you can also visit the Capitol Building and the Lincoln Memorial, other iconic landmarks in the area.

www.nassfoods.com info@nassfoods.com www.bahrainthismonth.com

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bystander

USA’s 246th Independence Day Celebration

The US Embassy celebrated the 246th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain. Independence Day is a very special occasion for Americans, as it represents an opportunity to celebrate the democratic principles that were the basis the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and that have been sustained for nearly two and a half centuries. It is also an important day to reflect on the strength of the US-Bahraini partnership.

US Ambassador, HE Steven C. Bondy remarked on the occasion of America’s Independence Day: “The US-Bahrain friendship is one of the oldest and closest in the region, based on a partnership that started in the late 1800s by the people of our two nations joining hands and working together for their mutual benefit. This spirit of partnership, friendship, and connection continues to this day.”

Ministers and senior government officials, diplomats, businessmen, Shura Council members, members of Parliament, academics, and journalists attended the ceremony.

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bystander

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