US and Bahrain seal $17 billion worth of investment agreements
Bahrain and United States companies have sealed a series of significant investment agreements worth approximately $17 billion. These deals, signed during a high-profile visit by Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to the US, aim to strengthen economic and investment ties across various sectors.
The sectors allocated for these investments range from aviation, technology, industry, energy, telecommunications, aluminum, to next-generation energy technologies, including nuclear.
Key details of these agreements include a 500-mile (800-km) multi-fiber submarine cable linking Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq to global networks. This cable will enhance connectivity in the region. Another notable agreement is a new direct flight between Bahrain and New York, which is expected to boost connectivity between the two nations.
Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat, will invest $2 billion in downstream aluminum projects focused on job creation. This investment is part of Bahraini financial institutions and private-sector firms' commitment to invest $10.7 billion in the United States.
Cooperation also extends into aviation manufacturing and energy investment, including plans for small modular nuclear reactors as part of next-generation energy initiatives to optimize Bahrain’s energy capabilities and support US strategic interests in the region. A contract involving US tech giant Cisco to supply digital solutions for Bahrain’s government information and telecommunications infrastructure is also part of the agreements.
These investments illustrate Bahrain’s commitment to diversifying its economy and deepening ties with the US across multiple high-impact sectors. The deals are expected to generate around 30,000 American jobs and mark Bahrain’s evolving strategic economic role beyond defense towards advanced tech and energy sectors.
In addition to these deals, Etihad Airways, another ADQ portfolio company, is preparing to expand its routes, including a network expansion into the Caucasus and Central Asia. Meanwhile, Wizz Air is pulling out of its Abu Dhabi hub due to geopolitical tension, difficulty securing routes, and engine issues from the harsh climate.
On a cultural note, the late Qatari painter Wafa Al‐Hamad, known for her bold optical abstractions blended with local themes, has her work put in the spotlight. Her first solo museum show, Sites of Imagination, is currently at Mathaf in Doha, decades before Gulf women artists gained international attention.
In political news, the rationale for possible Powell firing by President Trump is causing division among Republicans, while Republicans threaten to keep Congress in session to confirm Trump's diplomats. Elsewhere, Union Pacific has hired bankers for a possible railroad bid.
These developments underscore the dynamic and multifaceted relationship between Bahrain and the US, with investments spanning various sectors and cultural exchange.
- The investment by Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat, in downstream aluminum projects amounts to $2 billion, demonstrating a focus on both job creation and business ventures within the technology industry.
- The agreement between Bahrain and US tech giant Cisco Signifies a significant investment in digital solutions for Bahrain's government information and telecommunications infrastructure, mirroring a growing collaboration in technology sectors between both nations.
